Carry the Scriptures with Us

 “CARRY THE SCRIPTURES WITH US”

by Gary L. Pocock

March 18, 2026

 

As I was studying the scriptures this morning, my attention was drawn to a verse that touched me:

 

“It was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry [the scriptures] with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise” (1 Nephi 5:22).

 

Like Nephi, we are also journeying toward a land of promise. A land where we can be a forever family. 

 

Forty years ago or so, while we were living in Saudi Arabia, Marianne Brunt, Chris’ sister, gave me a miniature copy of the Book of Mormon, shown below. It was small enough to put in my shirt pocket, so it wouldn’t attract the attention of the customs agents when we returned to Saudi Arabia. Though we were supposed to be allowed to have our own individual scriptures, the customs agents often confiscated scriptures when they found them. (It was about the same width and 1-¼” shorter than my smart phone, which contains not only the Book of Mormon, but the Bible and all of the other scriptures, on the free “Gospel Library” app that I use daily.)

On our journey, it is vital for us to carry the scriptures with us, in our hearts, our minds and in our hands (on our phones). Daily reading and applying the scriptures will give us “living water” (John 4:14) and “milk and honey [spiritual food] without money and without price” (2 Nephi 26:25), that will sustain us on our journey through an increasingly wicked and challenging world.

 

I invite each of us to rededicate ourselves to daily scripture study and application. I know from a lifetime of experience the spiritual power and strength that comes from doing so. I promise that this daily practice will help us to find peace, be a little kinder, increase our power to overcome life’s challenges, and draw ever closer to our Savior and Redeemer. Jesus Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, is the “ultimate source of all our power to do good” (Russell M. Nelson) and to be good.

 MISSING WALLET MIRACLE

September 26, 2021

On August 23, 2021, I went on a walk in nearby Rock Canyon Park. Along the way, I found a wallet lying on the ground. From the driver’s license, I noticed that the owner’s address was on a street near our son. So I asked if he knew him. He said that he used to live in his neighborhood but that he had since moved. He also said that he was concerned about the man, because he was going through a hard time. I asked my son if he had his phone number. Incredibly, he did. So I phoned the owner and left a voice message and then texted to tell him I had his wallet. Later the same day he returned my phone call and then picked up his wallet.

What are the odds of someone finding a wallet, whose owner is known by the finder’s son? The lesson I learned from this experience is that God is aware of and watching over each of us. I hope this event has drawn him closer to Jesus Christ. It certainly has done so for me.

I also hope that all of us recognize the tender mercies that we receive from the Savior. I have come to firmly believe that there are very few, if any, true coincidences in this life. As President Howard W. Hunter said, “Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega, literally the beginning and the end. He is with us from start to finish, and as such is more than a spectator in our lives” (Howard W. Hunter, "Fear not Little Flock," talk given at BYU, March 14, 1989, 1-2, 4-5).

May we each recognize, record, and give thanks to the Lord for His tender mercies, to draw closer to Him and become more aware of His watchcare. He loves us and is involved in the details of our lives. He wishes to bless us as we exercise faith in Him. Sometimes, as in this case, the Lord blesses us in a way that leaves no doubt it was He who did it. I know this is true, from this and many other experiences. Heavenly Father lives, His Son, Jesus Christ has paid for our sins. They love us and watch over us as we walk the path of faith.

Merry Christmas to Our Friends Everywhere - Even Those We Have Yet to Meet

 

As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trials and peace in troubled times.

You can read the Book of Mormon online at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng 

To receive a free physical copy go to: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon

Here is a link to the Book of Mormon app on iOS and Android: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/mobile-applications/book-of-mormon-app?lang=eng

Daily Fresh Start

 A journaling app that I use recently posed this question: “How am I viewing the beginning of this year as a fresh start?”

This is a good question, but there may be a better one. How can I approach the beginning of each new day as a fresh start? We shouldn’t wait for the beginning of the next year. When we repent, when we confess and forsake our sins, that marks a fresh start in our lives. 

Repentance is a priceless blessing. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, because He paid the price for our sins, we can repent and be forgiven by exercising faith in Him. Forgiveness wipes away our mistakes and gives us a clean slate--a new beginning. It brings peace and joy. "Mercifully, when we make mistakes we can recover and learn from them by 'faith unto repentance.' We cannot, of course, relive a particular moment in our lives, but we can use it as a spiritual spur to remake ourselves. We need not let yesterday hold tomorrow hostage" (Neal A. Maxwell, "The Pathway of Discipleship," Ensign, Sept. 1998).

I find great comfort in these words: "I know, as President [Boyd K.] Packer experienced and testified, that when we sincerely repent of our sins, they are truly gone—without a trace!” (Linda S. Reeves, “The Great Plan of Redemption,” Ensign, November 2016).

In this New Year, I invite each of you to join me as I try with greater diligence to repent daily--to make every day a fresh start.

As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trial and peace in troubled times. Here is a link to obtain a free copy of this book: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon

Embarrassing Moment

This picture was taken on my grandmother Koyle's farm, about 12 miles south of Burley, Idaho, in a farming district sometimes referred to as Willow Creek and sometimes Hazel. Farming districts are a geographic location, not generally accompanied by a store or anything other than the homes and acreage of those whose farms comprise the district.

One day while there, I caught my foot between a gate and fence post. Why I chose to put myself in that position is a mystery. However, I couldn’t get myself out of it. As evidenced by this photo, my father left me in the predicament long enough to take a picture.

There is a good moral to this story. Sometimes we do foolish things that put us in a position we can’t get ourselves out of. We have to depend on someone else to deliver us. There is only One who can deliver us from our most serious mistakes–our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It is vital that we always look to Him–especially in times of trouble–repent when it is necessary, and plead for His grace for our deliverance. 

He has come to my aid many times. He has delivered me in circumstances where I was at fault, at times when I was the victim of natural events and also when I suffered because of the actions of others. As the great King Emmanuel (God with us) He is ever ready to come to our aid as we–in the spirit of faith, repentance, and obedience–earnestly seek His help. However, the deliverance will come in His time, in His way and according to His will. We can be perfectly assured that His help will come as we submit ourselves to Him. For some things, His deliverance won’t come until the next life, but if we are faithful to Him it will certainly come. While His full deliverance may take time–sometimes a long time–He will give us the needed strength and courage to endure our trials until the hoped for deliverance comes. This I know from a lifetime of experience.

As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trials and peace in troubled times.

You can read the Book of Mormon online at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng 

To receive a free physical copy go to: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon

Here is a link to the Book of Mormon app on iOS and Android: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/mobile-applications/book-of-mormon-app?lang=eng

 MISSING WALLET MIRACLE

On August 23, 2021, I went on a walk in Rock Canyon Park. Along the way, I found a wallet lying on the ground. From the driver’s licence, I noticed that the owner’s address was on a street near our son. So I asked if he knew him. He said that he used to live in his ward but that he had since moved. He also said that he was concerned about the man, because he was going through a hard time. I asked my son if he had his phone number. Incredibly, he did. So I phoned the owner and left a voice message and then texted to tell him I had his wallet. Later the same day he returned my phone call and then picked up his wallet.

What are the odds of someone finding a wallet, whose owner is known by the finder’s son? The lesson I learned from this experience is that God is aware of and watching over each of us. I hope this event has drawn him closer to the Lord. It certainly has done so for me.

I also hope that all of us recognize the tender mercies that we receive from the Lord. I have come to firmly believe that there are very few, if any, true coincidences in this life. As President Howard W. Hunter has said, “Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega, literally the beginning and the end. He is with us from start to finish, and as such is more than a spectator in our lives” (Howard W. Hunter, "Fear not Little Flock," talk given at BYU, March 14, 1989, 1-2, 4-5).

May we each recognize, record, and give thanks to the Lord for His tender mercies, that we might draw closer to Him and become more aware of His watchcare. He loves us and is involved in the details of our lives. He wishes to bless us as we exercise faith in Him. Sometimes, as in this case, the Lord blesses us in a way that leaves no doubt it was He who did it. I know this is true, from this and many other experiences.

As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trial and peace in troubled times. Here is a link to obtain a free copy of this book: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon

"Come Unto Me, All Ye that Labor and Are Heavy Laden"

I take no credit for this photograph. I found it on Facebook. However, I am using it for this blog post, because it has touched my heart.

On this Sunday, the first day of the week, which is set aside as a holy day in honor of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I wish to express my gratitude for Him. He beckons to all of us:

28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Like this precious little girl, may we all accept His loving invitation. We do so by daily praying in His name, reading and living His word found in the scriptures, and striving to do our very best to follow His example of loving service to our fellowman. As we do so, we will find "rest unto [our souls]." We will find peace from Him who is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus is the Living Christ. This I know, through the quiet though powerful whisperings of the Holy Spirit of God.

As you seek peace in your daily life, I commend to you reading daily in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully reading this divine book will draw you nearer to Jesus Christ than any other book. As a companion scripture to the Bible, it will bring you peace and a nearness to the Savior that will bless your daily life with strength through trial and peace in troubled times. Here is a link to obtain a free copy of this book: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon