Study Shows the Way

Recently, as I was reading the scriptures, I was pondering the power that the scriptures have. I have seen in my life that as I read the scriptures, I am able to receive guidance, or direction from my Heavenly Father. He is able to teach and to instruct me, and allow me to become better. That, truly, is His purpose for us in this life; He wants us to be able to repent, or change, and become more like His Son, Jesus Christ. Because none of us is perfect, we all have things of which we need to repent. When we repent, our Heavenly Father is able to bless us, and free us from the guilt and shame that we feel because of our mistakes. He wants that for us. And so as we study the scriptures and receive divine guidance, it is more often than not an invitation for us to repent of something, and receive the blessings our Heavenly Father already wants to give us.

The Word of God, however, is able to make this invitation with power. That is why prophets have always written their words, so that we can reflect on them. That is why often Biblical prophets use the words of other prophets in order to teach, and call others unto repentance. One prophet attempted to teach a wicked group of people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of that experience, a later prophet said, "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just-yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them-therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God" (Alma 31:5).

Repentance is a doorway to freedom. It is the way that we are able to truly have joy and happiness in this life. We are able to leave the past behind us, and move forward with a new life, dedicated to following the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are able to feel more fully the love of God, and enjoy the feeling of the Holy Ghost. As we study the scriptures daily, we are aided in our efforts to repent daily, and activate the power of the Savior's sacrifice in our lives. I know that as we study, we learn the ways that we can improve and become more Christlike. It may not be in the written words, but the Holy Ghost will be able to communicate to our minds and to our hearts the things that we need to know.