"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light..."

Encouraging Scripture Study

"And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children." (The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 4:15)

1. Decide that this is as important to you as their Math test, ball game or practice, teeth brushing and church attendance. Put that kind of effort into making sure scripture reading happens. Let them know it is very important to you. Help them to set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon this school year (2 pages per day!) -- Sandee

2. Be creative. Try reminder notes on the mirror, car steering wheel, refrigerator or on a special treat left in their room. (these reminders must be changed often as they become invisible.) -- Sandee

3. Have them read their scriptures to you while you do the dishes or other chore on their turn. -- Sandee

4. Tie a special family privilege (use of the car, having a friend spend the night, video rentals, television or telephone time etc.) to being current in their reading. -- Sandee

5. Call them from work to remind them to read, or even read over the phone with them from your office. -- Sandee

6. Dessert after dinner is for everyone that is current. -- Sandee

7. Personal challenge (see which of you can go the longest without missing reading 2 pages a day. Loser clean the garage or some other horrible task -- Sandee

8. Keep track with a home reading chart. -- Sandee

9. If your child's reading skills are poor, or if they are suffering serious attitude problems, read with them. Every night when you go in to tuck them in and have the good night chat, stay a few extra minutes and take turns reading from their two pages with them. (though personal reading brings personal revelation.) Remember this is more important than brushing your teeth. -- Sandee

10. Use the Sabbath as a catch up day. Check each week if they are up to date and read enough pages with them to catch them back up if needed. -- Sandee

11. Any method you have used to successfully encourage other good behavior (getting dishes done, the lawn mowed, homework complete) can and should be used to encourage the most important behavior, as it concerns their eternal welfare- praying and reading from the scriptures daily -- Sandee

Quotes from Church Leaders

Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.62

If our children and grandchildren are taught and heed these same truths, will they fall away? We best instruct them in the Book of Mormon at our dinner table, by our firesides, at their bedsides, and in our letters and phone calls—in all of our goings and comings. Some spiritually alert parents hold early-morning devotionals with their families in their homes. They have a hymn, prayer, and then read and discuss the Book of Mormon. "The elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Book of Mormon," says the Lord (D&C 42:12). (CR October 1984, Ensign 14 [November 1984]: 7.)