Just how important is it to read your scriptures? Let’s take a look.

Before his death, King Benjamin passed the records to his son Mosiah.

“And it came to pass that after King Benjamin had made an end of these sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs of the kingdom.
And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.” (Mosiah 1:15-16)

Notice that along with the plates, King Benjamin also gave the sword of Laban, and the Liahona, to Mosiah. We learn in D&C 27:18 that the sword is both the Spirit and the word of God. As well, Nephi and Alma give us quite a bit of detail about the Liahona, and its purposes.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Nephi 16:28-29, see also Alma 37:38-40)

The Liahona acted like a guide, or the Spirit, as well as the word of God, which is symbolically represented when the new writing was written on the spindles, which act like mini rods of iron.

So, the three items, passed on from Father to Son (Mother to Daughter), was the word of God and the Spirit represented by the plates, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona. These same three important items, plus the Urim and Thummim, were passed on to the Prophet Joseph Smith, so he could start and finish his work upon the earth.

Another idea to think upon is about all those who went to The Tree in Lehi’s Dream (1 Nephi Chapter 8). There were those who wandered onto the path, but got lost in the mist of darkness. Another group clung to the rod, made it through the mists, and partook of the fruit of the tree, but then became ashamed. Finally, there was a group “continually holding fast to the rod of iron” who fell on their knees to partake of the fruit.

If we don’t read our scriptures, how could we possibly hang on to the path, when life’s trials and worldly pleasures pull us away? If we read our scriptures, only occasionally, or maybe in short snatches, we may find our way to the tree, only to walk away ashamed. The only way to make it to the tree, fall down on our knees, and recognize the Savior of the World is to feast upon the word of God, recognize His voice, and study His commandments, promises, and blessings to the very end.

What a horrible choice to have received the truth, but not taken His Word and His Spirit into our daily life. As someone in my ward put it, “It could be me who loses my way. It could be me who feels ashamed. I can’t let it be me.” That is a profound realization of accountability.

And we can’t let it happen to our children.

“And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off.” (1 Nephi 8:37)