The scriptures are a blessing from the Lord, showing forth His power "to save and exalt His children," Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve said during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.
William Tyndale gave his life in 1536, Elder Christofferson said, because of his desire to make the Bible accessible to people beyond the clergy. Tyndale was put to death because he translated and published the Bible in English.
"Tyndale's work became the foundation for almost all future English translations of the Bible, most notably the King James Version," Elder Christofferson said.
He spoke on three things the scriptures, now widely accessible, do, referring to Alma the Younger's counsel to his son, Helaman, recorded in Alma 37:8.
"The scriptures enlarge our memory," he said.
They help people remember their relationship to God, Elder Christofferson said, and teach about "epochs, people and events that we did not experience personally," such as the parting of the Red Sea, the Savior's death and resurrection and Joseph Smith's First Vision.
"The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned," he added.
He pointed out, "In Tyndale's day, scriptural ignorance abounded because people lacked access to the Bible, especially in a language they could understand. Today, the Bible and other scripture are readily at hand, yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy because people will not open the books."
Next, he said, "God uses scripture to unmask erroneous thinking, false traditions and sin with its devastating effects," Elder Christofferson said. "He is a tender parent who would spare us needless suffering and grief and at the same time help us realize our divine potential."
In this day, he said, many believe that God is permissive and makes no demands upon personal behavior.
He then said, "[The scriptures] are clear that real happiness lies not in denying the justice of God, or trying to circumvent the consequences of sin, but in repentance and forgiveness through the atoning grace of the Son of God."
Also, he said, "The scriptures bring us to Christ, our Redeemer."
"In the end," Elder Christofferson said, "the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ — faith that They exist, faith in the Father's plan for our immortality and eternal life, faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ which animates this plan of happiness, faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life, and faith to come to know 'the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] has sent' (John 17:3)."
Besides having the Bible today, Latter-day Saints have 900 additional pages of scripture, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, Elder Christofferson pointed out, along with the words of living prophets. He said that almost everyone can have a personal copy of scriptures.
He concluded, "May we feast continuously on the words of Christ that will tell us all things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:3)."
To watch a video of this talk go to ksl.com.