Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, often. In our weekly Sacrament meetings, we listen to talks on scriptural topics. In Sunday School we discuss sections of scripture that we have (presumably) been studying at home during the prior week.
Yet the act of reading can occur on several levels. On the most basic level, we, and even our children, can enjoy the stories of the scriptures. The stories of the Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Flood, the Exodus, the Annunciation, and the Nativity, as well as the stories of Lehi’s journey, Nephi building a ship, Nephi’s cantankerous brothers Laman and Lemuel, and Christ’s visit to America, are beloved and oft-told.
Another level of reading is to learn new information. Reading the scriptures can teach one of different times with different customs and cultures. More importantly, the revelations and commandments contained in the scriptures can guide one to a better life and a closer relationship with God.
For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
2 Nephi 4:15-16
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
But the greatest value of the scriptures can only be discovered through deep reading. When we read for information, we tend to read quickly, looking only for the information we want, and we overlook and ignore other details in the text. Deep reading requires one to read slowly, pay attention to the details, and look for meanings and connections you may not have noticed before. This process is strengthened when one reads seriously and prayerfully.
… and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
Alma 17:2
Reading in this slow, prayerful, serious, open-minded fashion, helps to immerse one in the meaning and spirit of the text and opens one’s heart to insight from the Spirit. This is the level where revelations come. This is the level from which visions have been reported.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, you have had four books of scripture readily available to you, perhaps for a long time. How well are you making use of this gift?