After accepting President Gordon B. Hinckley's challenge to read the Book of Mormon by year's end, Primary General President Cheryl C. Lant rediscovered 2 Nephi 4:15:
"For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children."
That passage, said Sister Lant at the Sunday morning session, teaches important ideas.
First, "My soul delighteth.
"I love the scriptures. I treasure the truths I find as I read them. Joy fills my heart as I receive encouragement, direction, comfort, strength and answers to my needs. Life looks brighter, the way opens before me, and I am reassured of my Heavenly Father's love and concern for me every time I read."
Second, "My heart pondereth them.
"As I ponder the scriptures, something happens to me," Sister Lant said. "I have a stronger desire to live close to my Heavenly Father. I long to serve Him. I want to live the principles that I learn in the scriptures and, as I do, my heart 'writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.' "
Sister Lant said by reading the scriptures and living their principles, the scriptures have become written into her life. "They govern my actions and are written there for my children to see and follow. I can build a legacy, a tradition of righteous living, based on the principles I learn in the scriptures."
Sister Lant said that by praying for the companionship of the Spirit during scripture study her sensitivity has been heightened and the insight becomes clear.
"I can see where I am in my life and where my Heavenly Father wants me to be," she said. "I can understand principles of truth, and I can see how to make the needed changes in my life."
Scripture study also allows faithful readers to hear the voice of the Savior, Sister Lant added. "He is not absent from our lives. He is actively positioned in the verses of these holy books. Our prophet has asked us to draw closer to the Savior by reading the Book of Mormon."
The Primary leader said children can also be the beneficiaries of the principles found in the scriptures.
"How blessed is the child whose parents base their lives on the teachings in the scriptures," Sister Lant said. "There is absolutely nothing more important we can do for our families than to strengthen them in the scriptures. Parents, call your families together to read the scriptures, and make it possible in your busy family schedule. Children, respond quickly and happily when you are called to scripture study."
Sister Lant said her own family is claiming the blessings promised by President Hinckley when families read the Book of Mormon.