Keep Studying to Keep Learning

The first time I read the Book of Mormon I was not a member. I was 16, and I read it in a week. Near the end of my reading, I came across a verse that affirmed that if a church were Christ's, it would bear His name (see 3 Nephi 27:8). At that moment tears coursed down my cheeks. I knew the Book of Mormon was true, and I decided to be baptized.

After my baptism I read the book again, but this time I bought a highlighter and marked the verses or passages that were inspiring to me. In later readings I did the same, except that I added notes to the highlighted verses in the margins. The next time I added references to related verses, whether from the Book of Mormon or the other standard works.

Then, at the beginning of one year, I purchased a new copy of the scriptures, since the one I had was full of markings, especially after I had used it on my mission and prepared many lessons with it. This time my study and marking were based on topic. I assigned a color of ink to specific topics—for example, orange for faith, green for repentance, and so on.

By continually studying the Book of Mormon using these various methods, I have learned that one single reading of the Book of Mormon is not enough. We learn line upon line as we keep studying. I've also learned that no matter how many times we've already read, there's always something that will make us say, "Why didn't I see that before? It must have been there."

The scriptures—especially the Book of Mormon—teach us about Jesus Christ and about our Father in Heaven. Studying the scriptures has drawn me nearer to Them.

Cristina Vergara Ramírez, Chile

1.

Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion," Ensign, Nov. 1986, 5–7. This classic talk is reprinted in this issue on pages 52–58.

2.

See Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6–7.

3.

Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7.

4.

Introduction to the Book of Mormon.