Search scriptures diligently

- Ponder Lord's words

- Realize blessings of study

"In order to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him, each person needs to receive a testimony of the Lord's words," Elder Merrill J. Bateman of the Seventy said Saturday afternoon.

"Some individuals falter because they fail to open the books, others because they read casually. As one would expect, there is a difference between diligent searching or `pondering over the scriptures' and casual reading," he declared.

"A casual, infrequent exposure to the scriptures will generally not open the door to the whisperings of the Spirit or provide insights into the Savior's life and character."

Elder Bateman then quoted President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve, who said during a general conference address: " `Those who delve into the scriptural library . . . find that to understand requires more than casual reading or perusal - there must be concentrated study. One who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing.' "

There are certain blessings obtained from searching the scriptures, Elder Bateman related. "As a person studies the words of the Lord and obeys them, he or she draws closer to the Savior and obtains a greater desire to live a righteous life. The power to resist temptation increases and spiritual weaknesses are overcome. Spiritual wounds are healed."

Elder Bateman recounted Lehi's dream of the tree of life: "Lehi saw a tree which produced a fruit which was exceedingly white, very sweet to the taste and desirable above all other fruit. He saw a path leading to the tree and a rod of iron along the path. He saw mists of darkness on the path which caused some to lose their way and wander off.

" . . . The only way to reach the tree and become a permanent partaker of the fruit was to `hold continually fast' to the iron rod. (1 Ne. 8:30.)

Nephi defined the iron rod as the word of God, Elder Bateman continued, and explained how Alma likened the word of God to a seed that is planted in the heart and nourished.

"He states that if people will no more than desire to believe in Christ, the seed will sprout and grow and they will feel a swelling inside as the seed enlarges the soul. The desire to believe, coupled with obedience, eventually turns to faith in Christ. In Alma's example, the tree of life grows within each person to change his or her heart and soul. Holding fast to the iron rod in Lehi's dream is the equivalent.

"Changes in the heart and soul occur as a result of planting and nourishing the seed."