Scriptures study: To be 'wise unto salvation'

Let's call him John. John began drinking in junior high school. By the time he graduated high school he had added a variety of drugs to his addiction repertoire, had numerous brushes with the law and had spent time in jail. After high school things got worse.He knew he needed help and entered drug rehab and did well but left before completing the program. He returned to college and initially succeeded but soon drugs again overtook his life. He was kicked out of the house, then lost his apartment and ended up doing menial labor, what little money he made used to feed the addictions that he hated but, on his own, could not defeat.When he hit rock bottom he called for help. One miracle after another led him into a new rehab program and this one he completed. Out and on his own he continued daily, sometimes two to three times a day, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Through AA (an extraordinary program that provides the conceptual but doctrinally refitted framework for the LDS Church's addiction and recovery programs), and its encouragement to rely on a higher power, John, who was raised in an LDS home with regular FHE and scripture study, recovered his belief in God and Christ.While addiction may slowly diminish over time recovering addicts are just that — always "recovering addicts" and addiction is ferocious. At times it takes all the faith and will a person can exercise to resist its vicious pull. John's journey and his recovery is a miracle. How has it been accomplished? He attends AA daily where he is reminded of his need to rely on a higher power. And every morning when he rises he prays, invokes the assistance of God, and reads from the scriptures.The virtues of prayer are manifest. Any individual that prays in faith knows that prayers are answered because they receive answers to faithful prayers fervently raised to heaven. However, that second component — reading the scriptures — is equally as powerful. President Boyd K. Packer knows this and in his prophetic role as an apostle of Jesus Christ explained, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior....That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel."The Apostle Paul before his remarkable conversion persecuted Christians and certainly needed to change his behavior as he embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was a scriptorian and writing to his disciple Timothy he praised, "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 Jesus Christ."Paul begins by complimenting Timothy for making scripture study a practice from childhood. In so doing Timothy not only began a lifelong study of the doctrines of Christ but had opportunity to feel the Spirit as it manifest itself and empowered him through scripture study.Paul then makes a remarkable promise to Timothy, that scripture study will "make thee wise." Add President Packer's promise and we understand that consistent scripture study is superior, though not exclusive, of any other course of study we would pursue. Additionally, not only will scripture study make us wise but it will make us "wise unto salvation." How is this so? Simply defined wisdom is finding and adhering to truth, which is eternal and unchanging. This is the quest of mankind, to find truth in a cacophonous world, with voices on all sides, introducing disparate ideas and ever-changing theories.How can we discern between truth and error, between right and wrong? How do we become wise individuals who recognize and adhere to truth, which will act as a light and guide us on the path to salvation? We study, search and ponder the scriptures because they introduce us to eternal truths or doctrines that will serve as standards for discerning truth from falsehood.Paul also indicates another supreme blessing attendant to consistent scripture study. Scripture study will make us "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ." As we study the scriptures in faith we not only learn the principles and practices necessary for salvation but we come to know our Savior Jesus Christ. His teachings, his practices, his voice is what we hear each time we open our scriptures.While we have been admonished by our leaders to read daily from the scriptures some members of the church do not do so. This is an epic tragedy. Individuals ignore this charge at their own peril. Not only do church leaders plead but the historical record teaches that many great and virtuous individuals throughout history have made scripture study a lifelong practice and devotion. It was for them and continues to be into our day the polar star by which we can guide our lives and become "wise unto salvation through faith...in Jesus Christ." The Apostle Paul, President Packer, and recovering addict John testify and know that this is so.