Prized Possession

Shelby Lee 3

     This morning I was reading in the book of Mosiah.  King Mosiah taught some powerful things to his sons. What struck me as most important was his admonition to read from the plates.  He said "If it were not for these plates, which contain the records and commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing God or the mysteries of God."  Wow!  Do we feel that way about our scriptures?  We have so much more than they ever had.  Do we realize that we too would be in complete ignorance at this time in our lives if we did not have them?  I realize that over the years I  did not put a  priority on the scriptures.  I have had great excuses, I was raising 7 children, I have to cook, clean, carpool, help with homework, scouts and PTA.
      We tried to read a chapter each morning before they left for school, but no one's heart was into it, especially mine.  It was always a relief on the weekend not to have to read scriptures.  Scriptures did not hold a priority at all.  I just had no idea of their value.  Being raised in the church since birth they have always been around and I have taken them for granted.  Yes, they are the word of God, but that was about the extent of my excitement for them.
     Then something changed, or maybe I just changed.  I value them highly as they have become a prized possession.  Why? Staring death right in the face, your perspective changes.  Big changes take place and the "Words of God" means everything.  It doesn't matter which book of scriptures I am reading, they all seem to apply directly to me as if my name is written on them.  I can't survive spiritually from day to day if I don't get some of God's words into my mind and heart.  All my problems just seem to disappear, and nothing seems to disconnect me from my link to my Father in Heaven as I can deal with all things.  Also the spirit always seems to speak to me as to how I need to apply His words into my life.
     Don't get me wrong, there are days when  it is difficult to find the time to read.  On those days if I tell the Lord my time constraint in prayer, and read regardless, I find treasures of great value in just a single verse, which is enough to sustain me for my busy day.
     I realize we are only one generation away from apostasy.  Yes, apostasy.  If we fail to teach our children the words of God, they most likely will not see the importance to teach their children and our link will be broken.  I do not want to be held accountable for failing to teach my children (no matter what age they are).