We all value the scriptures, but we don’t always understand them, and often what makes them valuable to us isn’t clear. If, as Doctrine and Covenants section 70 says, the scriptures are worth the riches of the whole earth, how is that true? What makes them so valuable?

Part of the difficulty with understanding pronouncements like this is the difficulty in reading and understanding scripture. Not only is what we have a translation of a translation from a different culture with different understandings of core issues, but even when we read a text written and read in our own language and culture, its often possible to interpret the text very differently. It seems like how you read is as important as what you read.

 

The Lord’s servants speak His will when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

The difficulty of interpretation is one of the reasons that we need prophets today — we need the interpretations of prophets alongside our own readings and the inspiration of the spirit so we can arrive at a more correct understanding. Thus, the process of creating scripture is often the same process we use for interpreting scripture, leaving us always with the work of studying the scriptures, seeking to understand them by the spirit.

The following poem, by perhaps the best known of our early English LDS poets, John Lyon, recounts a vision of Joseph Smith about the state of the Jews, leading to the call for Orson Hyde to dedicate the holy land for the return of the Jews. While we have no record of such a vision by Smith, he did prophesy that Hyde would make the journey, and Lyon interpreted the events this way, more than a decade later.

 

The Prophet

by John Lyon

On a mound where the dark Mississippi rolled past

The Prophet gazed sadly o’er Time’s ruthless blast,

In a vision of thought, to that eastern shore

Where Joshua dwelt in his glory of yore.

He thought of the Mussulman’s tyranny there;

Of the scattered condition, the shame, and despair,

Of Abraham’s seed,—when a voice from on high

Said,—”Joseph; give heed, for their freedom is nigh:

“Prepare, for the brand of their infamy’s gone,

“And the hour of redemption for them rolleth on.

“My name is Jehovah, and who shall withstand,

“The sceptre I sway for my seed in that land.

“Go call forth my servant, e’en Orson my son,

“Anoint him, and send him—my work is begun;

“For the hearts of my people are lifted in prayer,

“And my promise of old is awaiting them there.

“Yes, bless him with power, that the land may partake

“By his word all the blessings I have for their sake;

“That his name, as a branch of the old Olive vine,

“May ingraft them in peace, as dear children of mine;

“That the curse of my vengeance may rest upon those

“Who have laughed at their misery, and scorned all their woes.

“Come Joseph, my son, I will give thee the line

“To measure that land for my blessings divine.

“Through thy voice, by my servant, all hearts I’ll control;

“Though the wicked may rage, and the savage may howl,

“Yet, their curse and their rage will but hasten it on,

“And nations will raise up my people, when known,

“To sit in the courts, where their chiefs legislate;

“That their name may be feared, and their power may be great.

“And the riches of nations will flow unto thee,

“That the land may be bought, and my people made free.

“Let Olivet’s mount be the seat of his blessing,

“For his word shall be law to the ruthless oppressing,

“And the hills shall rejoice, and the valleys be glad,

“And thousands shall sing who in anguish were sad,

“And the streets of Jerus’lem, yet, all thronged shall be;

“With the sound of their young men, and maidens with glee;

“And their old men shall live to the age of a tree.

“Shout, Jerusalem, shout, for thy warfare is o’er,

“And the Pagans who’ve spoiled thee, shall spoil thee no more.”

The voice ceased to speak, while the Prophet amazed,

Saw the clouds gather round where in vision he gazed;

And his eye turn’d again where the deep waters rolled,

While he mused on the message which God did unfold.

Sure it was not the torrent that roared as it passed,

Nor the earthquake, nor scream of the hurricane blast,

Nor the fire, nor the thunder’s loud—rumbling roar,

That he heard, when the Angel intelligence bore.

‘Twas as still as the sound of the Zephyr’s mild breeze,

When the soft breath of morn stirs the leaves on the trees.

“Yes, yes,” he exclaimed, “’twas the voice of the Lord,

“And I go, gladly go, to fulfil ev’ry word.”

That mandate’s fulfilled, and long years past and gone

Since that land was restored to old Jacob anon;

And the spirit now burns in the breast of each Jew

To gather, and purchase, and build it anew;

Till Messiah shall come in the brightness of Heaven,

To clothe them with power, and their sins be forgiven.

1853

 

“Continue in patience.”

Reading, studying and interpreting scripture takes a lot of patience. And while we often assume that these activities are solitary pursuits, in fact our day-t0-day activities and the discussions we have with others are often part of the process, influencing how we read the scriptures. In a sense this is like the activities of missionaries today, who spend more time studying the scriptures (we believe) than the average member, but who also spend a lot of time in repetitive social activities, trying to interest others in the gospel. Ideally the scripture study not only prepares the missionary for his activities, such as tracting, that seek to reach others, but tracting and other activities also help the missionary process what the scriptures say, helping him or her to interpret better what the scriptures mean.

In the following poem, 20th century LDS poet Frank Kooyman looks at the role of patience in missionary life. Kooyman is also the author of two hymns in the current LDS hymnal: “In Memory of the Crucified” and “Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls.”

 

To Tract

by Frank J. Kooyman

Dear Lord, another friend of mine

Has gone to far-off mission field.

Grant him, I pray, Thy power divine,

To be his armor and his shield.

And one thing, Lord, oh! may he learn,

Above all other things, in fact,

Which in the field are his concern:

With patience, zeal and love to tract.

He may lose courage, now and then,

When meeting ridicule and sneers,

But if he’ll try, and try again,

In faith, he’ll overcome all fears,

And soon will see the masses’ plight,

With pity view each wayward act,

Because they lack the Gospel light —

With patience, zeal and love he’ll tract.

And oh! what joy will swell his heart,

When he shall find truth-hungry souls,

Who’ll mend their ways, with error part,

And reach, in faith, for Gospel goals.

Be with him, Lord! He will succeed’

When by Thy power inspired and backed;

Bless him, that he may learn indeed

With patience, zeal and love to tract.

1946

 

I can help center my home on Jesus Christ.

If how we read the scriptures is so important, then the environment we live in will influence how we read. Creating an environment that focuses on Christ and on his gospel will give us a lens on the scriptures that helps us see Him and His teachings there. Ideally, we will still strive to be accurate in how we interpret the scriptures, looking for what the scriptures meant to readers of the time when they were written, while also allowing a generous and gospel-focused interpretation.

The following poem, by Arleen Sessions Bogue (1927-2011), gives a sense of what it means to create a home that is centered in Christ. Unfortunately, her poetry seems to have been forgotten online — nothing appears on her Family Search page or elsewhere.

 

Home

by Arleen Sessions Bogue

The quiet hand of trust,

The busy hand of making,

And two hands clasped in prayer

First thing upon awaking;

The happiness of giving

Without possessive fear;

The peace in the forgiving

Of someone who is dear;

A humble place of learning

Truth in words and deeds;

A constant faith that heaven

Will supply our needs;

Reciprocating smiles

While each performs his part;

The warmth of being wanted

By some loving heart;

A place to hurry back to

And know as you are known;

The spark of inspiration;

These make a house, a home.

1955

 

“True and faithful” friends help me follow Jesus Christ.

Our reading of scripture is also influenced by what we hear from friends. One of the reasons we attend Sunday School and other classes at Church is to be taught about the scriptures, as much from the other students in the classes as from the teacher. These discussions help us change our way of looking at the scriptures; that is, the lens we use to see the teachings of Christ and the actions we take to follow Him.

I was not able to find any poetry, that I haven’t already used, that shows how friends influence us for good. I expect that I will find poems like this in the future, or perhaps someone will write poetry about this in the future. Meanwhile, the following poem, by Lula Greene Richards, often remembered as the founder of the Woman’s Exponent periodical in 1872, discusses the problems caused by “friends” who don’t know the Saints in Utah and don’t support their lives—so a kind of negative example of the influence of friends.

 

A Word to our Friends in the East

by Lula Greene Richards

We call on you to mingle

With the little growing band;

United hearts, or single,

Hear, ye honest, understand!

‘Tis Jehovah bids us warn you

Of the dangers of your way :

His dear voice and counsel scorn you?

List, believe ye, and obey !

Lo! we call you, kindred, brethren;

Ye, who are of Israel’s fold,

Join the sacred Gospel gathering-

Let no power your steps withhold;

Gather up, you are invited

By the chosen and their Head,

Where the faithful are united,

And by Jesus Christ are led.

Where the “Mormon” Pilgrims rested,

With no longer cause to roam;

For a season unmolested,

Exiled from their native home!

Plundered, prey’d upon, and driven,

To an untamed wilderness,

With no covering but heaven,

And no friend but God to bless.

Where the prospects now bear witness

To the wisdom of their ways,

And portray the heaven-born fitness

Of their homes in these last days;

Up, to where the crystal fountains

Gleam with gems of life and health;

Gather ye unto the mountains,

Rich with consecrated wealth.

From the paths of strife and blindness,

Which the nation long hath trod,

In the voice of love and kindness,

In the name of Israel’s God,

We call you-we beseech you,

May the warning be of use,

May the Holy Spirit teach you.

Ye are left without excuse!

1869

 

I am accountable for the revelations the Lord has given.

After all this you might ask, why does it matter how I read the scriptures and revelations the Lord has for me? Can’t I just read them the way that seems right to me? However, the scriptures suggest that we are responsible for the revelations and commandments we have been given. I can’t imagine how we can be responsible for the scriptures without also being responsible for understanding them well. We can’t just interpret the scriptures however we want, even if our interpretation is contrary to the gospel. Therefore, we must be careful with how we read the scriptures.

This poem teaches that we must be responsible for reading and following the scriptures, saying that if a ‘divine revelation from heaven was sent’ that we should not tarry or delay, but follow the revelation. To do this, our interpretation of the scriptures needs to be accurate.

 

Dear brothers and sisters I give you my hand

by an unknown author

Dear brothers and sisters I give you my hand

To meet you in Zion, for it’s God’s command;

A divine revelation from heaven was sent,

That this land’s prepared for the latter-day saint.

Then why do we tarry, why so long delay,

If Jesus has call’d us, O haste flee away,

Make all things now ready, that we may go hence,

To the land that’s prepared for the latter-day saint.

Then we can praise God in one glorious band,

And sing hallelujah, when on Zion we stand;

Then let us live humble, that we may possess

The land that’s prepar’d for the latter-day saint

1838