Hel. 3:29-30; D&C 18:34-36; John 4:14; 5:38; 3 Ne. 23:1; refer in this text to Alma 17:2
“A casual, infrequent exposure to the scriptures will generally not open the door to the whisperings of the Spirit or provide insights … There are certain blessings obtained when one searches the scriptures. As a person studies the words of the Lord and obeys them, he or she draws closer to the Savior and obtains a greater desire to live a righteous life. The power to resist temptation increases, and spiritual weaknesses are overcome. Spiritual wounds are healed… . In the dream Lehi saw a tree which produced a fruit which was exceedingly white, very sweet to the taste, and desirable above all other fruit… . According to the vision, the only way to reach the tree and become a permanent partaker of the fruit was to ‘continually [hold] fast’ to the iron rod (1 Ne. 8:30). What was the rod of iron? Nephi defined it as the ‘word of God’—the words of the living prophets and the scriptures which point people to Christ. Nephi further stated that those who hearkened and held fast to the word of God would never perish (See 1 Ne. 15:24)… . Holding fast to the iron rod builds faith in Christ and his work… . President Benson, in the April 1986 general conference, expressed these thoughts: ‘However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life.’ (Ensign, May 1986, p. 82.) (Merrill J. Bateman, Ensign, Nov. 1992, pp. 27-28)
“We must engage in activities that bring spiritual power. I speak of such activities as immersing ourselves in the scriptures. There is a power that flows into our lives when we read and study the scriptures on a daily basis that cannot be found in any other way.” (Ezra Taft Benson, 1987-1988 BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, pp. 53-54)
“The greatest achievement mankind can make in this world is to familiarize themselves with divine truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example or conduct of no creature living in the world can ever turn them away from the knowledge that they have obtained… . From my boyhood I have desired to learn the principles of the gospel in such a way … that it would matter not to me who might fall from the truth… . My foundation would be certain in the truths … I have learned.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 3-4)
“Our children practice musical instruments, and I encourage them to do this in the morning when there are fewer distractions. But sometimes they would go to bed late and get up late. On those days they would not have enough time to finish practicing, dress, eat, and read the scriptures before going out the door. The activity usually slighted was scripture study. Sometimes we would read a verse or two, and sometimes we’d say we’d get to it after school, but our efforts were inconsistent. This year I realized that my priorities were wrong. It occurred to me that I might be conveying to the children that the study of music was more important than the study of the gospel. I decided that on those mornings when time was short, we would study the scriptures and postpone music practice. I want to bear you my testimony that I have felt a great peace as we have followed the counsel of the prophet in this matter.” (Jeanne Inouye, Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 97)