We nourish the word with faith—faith to accept it, faith to act upon it, faith to utilize the power of it. We nourish the word with diligence—by using it, applying it, being attentive to it, and by heeding it with earnestness. We nourish the word with patience, calmly waiting for the fruit with perseverance and long-suffering even as one waits for the harvest of his crops. The word cannot take root with passive reading or occasional study—it must be done as the Lord has prescribed for it to be effective in one’s life. We must feast upon it (see 2 Nephi 32:3). We must live by it (see D&C 84:43–46). We must liken it to our lives (see 1 Nephi 19:23). We must nourish it (see Alma 32:40–43).
One day while sitting in my institute office, I heard a tentative knock on my door. I invited the student in, and she requested a few minutes to visit. As we started, it wasn’t long before tears came to her eyes and she said, “I don’t understand it. I read the scriptures every day. Why did I do what I did? And now I am not in full fellowship in the Church.” I expressed empathy and attempted to express my love for her and hope that things would be better. She wanted to know why she had sinned when she had been taught that if she held to the iron rod she would have power to overcome and deal with temptation. We discussed 1 Nephi 15:24. We must hearken (which means not only to listen, but to do) to the word and hold fast (which means to own, keep, retain, believe, embrace, and apply the word with a firm, lasting, permanent, and unwavering commitment). Yes, the power of the word comes only to those who hearken and hold fast—which entails more than a casual reading of the scriptures. Like all things, scripture study must be done with real intent and by exercising faith. Once she understood that principle, the student left my office with renewed hope. The future was brighter because she understood and appreciated the doctrine and power of the word. (Ed J. Pinegar)