By Kristan Brooks
Elder L. Tom Perry, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke about feasting on the words of God at the Church Educational System fireside Sunday, Nov. 2.
'There is real power in the scriptures,' he said. 'Don''t leave your study of the scriptures to chance.'
Elder Perry said in 385 A.D. the pope had copies of the scriptures made for the priests, but it was not until a thousand years later that it was translated into English. The Bible was not accessible to most people because each copy had to be handwritten. Elder Perry said today members are lucky to have the scriptures readily available.
He said even the King James version of the Bible has mistakes. There was a need for the scriptures to be translated not by scholars, but by a prophet of God.
Elder Perry said he thinks there are two reasons why Joseph Smith was chosen. He did not have education in the ways of the world, and he could teach what he had learned to others in simple words.
Elder Perry shared an experience he had when he was 12 years old. He went to the Clarkston Cemetery and heard a personal witness of Martin Harris.
The witness had the opportunity to live and work at the Harris home for a year. While he was there Martin Harris was 92 years old and the witness compared Harris'' looks to Rip Van Winkle.
'Martin Harris never tired of telling me of the beauties of the gospel, especially about the early rise of the church and of the tribulations that was sent upon Joseph Smith and himself,' the witness said.
Elder Perry said his fear is that people today have so much clutter in their lives that they find it difficult to keep their lives in balance.
'I believe the scriptures provide insight into patterns that will help us prepare for the future,' Elder Perry said.
He said one should not look at studying the scriptures as an inconvenience or something one should have to endure. There is power, nourishment and life in the word of God, Elder Perry said.
Elder Perry said there are promises extended to those who read to the scriptures.
He encouraged listeners to have their heart burn within them as they study the words of the Lord. He also encouraged listeners to review and apply the General Conference talks to their lives.
President Hinckley has told members to live above the low standards of the world.
Elder Perry told listeners not to become so busy and involved in the things of the world that one does not study the scriptures.
'The scriptures will lead you to life eternal,' Elder Perry said.
The fireside will be rebroadcast Sunday, Nov. 9, on KBYU, Channel 11, at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., on BYU-TV at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., on KBYU-FM, 89.1, at 8 p.m. and on BYU-Radio at 6 a.m.