The Scriptures, How Rare a Possession

I selected the title for this post because of an article that I read many years ago, titled, “How Rare a Possession—The Scriptures,” .

Many of us take the scriptures for grated.  For hundreds of years, the scriptures were only available to a few individuals.  Most of those on planet earth had no access to God's written word.  A few may have heard them read from time to time, but they couldn't hold them in their hands and read them on a daily basis.  It is hard to imagine what that would be like.

We are blessed that there were a few courageous men who were determined to make the scriptures available to the common man.  William Tyndale was one such individual.  He knew that the scriptures would be a powerful influence for good in the lives of men and women, if they could read the scriptures for themselves on a daily basis.  He said, "The nature of God’s word is, that whosoever read it, . . . it will begin immediately to make him every day better and better, till he be grown into a perfect man’” (Quoted in S. Michael Wilcox, Fire in the Bones: William Tyndale—Martyr, Father of the English Bible (2004), xv).

So strongly did Tyndale feel about providing a translation in English of the Holy Bible, that he dedicated his life to completing the work.  In fact, he ultimately was executed for having defied the king of England--refusing to the end to renounce his work.  His labors have been memorialized in the movie, "Fires of Faith" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLX-aFpRc5Q).

Tyndale's translation is said to have been a major contribution to the work done by a team of scholars commissioned by King James.  "One estimate suggests the New Testament in the King James Version is 83% Tyndale's, and the Old Testament 76%" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tyndale).

Do we really appreciate what a blessing it is to possess the scriptures?  If we don't regularly read, ponder, and pray about the scriptures, are we any better off than those who didn't have them?

 In the article that inspired the name of this post, President Spencer W. Kimball said, “I feel strongly that each of us must return to the scriptures…and let them work mightily within us, impelling us to an unwavering determination to serve the Lord" (Ensign, July 1985, 5; http://www.lds.org/ensign/1985/07/how-rare-a-possession-the-scriptures?lang=eng).

I have found that the statements of Tyndale and Kimball are true.  As we read the scriptures daily and apply their teachings in our lives, we are strengthened in serving the Lord. 

Below are a few citations that teach the importance of the scriptures:

"The holy scriptures . . . are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (Jesus Christ)" (.John 5:39).

"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

 What are some scriptural references that have inspired and strengthened you?

I invite us all to make the scriptures part of every day--even if it is only for five minutes.  As we study the scriptures in sincerity, we will feel their power in our lives.  In a sometimes very troubling world, the scriptures will bring us peace and draw us closer to the divine.  They will strengthen us against temptation.  They will help us in making small and large decisions in our lives.

Because of the scriptures, I have an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ.  He is God's Only Begotten Son, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.