Three special observances in the United States converge during the week of Nov. 24-30, and each has a special relationship to the others.

The first is National Bible Week. During this week Americans are urged to renew their emphasis on scripture study, especially from the Old and New Testaments.The second is National Family Week, so named to remind us that the family is the basic unit of society and it must be kept strong and solid to be able to resist the challenges of today's corroding moral climate.

Third is the annual commemoration of Thanksgiving Day, a time of gratitude and appreciation.

These days all have special meaning to Latter-day Saints.

The Bible has been the cornerstone of gospel study for members of the Church since its founding 166 years ago.

In 1820 as he was reading from the Bible, young Joseph Smith came to a passage in the Epistle of James, chapter 1, verse 5, which stated: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Of this experience Joseph Smith later wrote: "Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know. . . ." (JS-H 1:12.) His quest led him to a grove of trees near his home and there in answer to his first vocal prayer God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in a glorious vision that began the divine restoration of truth to the earth.

Reading the scriptures can likewise bring great wisdom to each of us. As we ponder and pray about the sacred words of truth we can have a burning witness come into our souls of their truthfulness.

There are few activities that solidify families more than the study of the scriptures.

How fortunate are young children whose parents read the scriptures to them. Hearing the words of the scriptures read aloud solidifies their importance in children's minds. As they come to understand and appreciate the language of the scriptures they will better be able to read on their own as they grow and mature. Habits thus formed in early years will continue throughout their lives.

The Church uses the King James Version of the Bible, the same version read by Joseph Smith. Its beautiful English is powerful and rich with meaning. Other versions in more modern English lose much of the detail of the King James Version. Some have said that modern English versions are like drinking someone else's "skim milk" as compared to the richness of the "whole milk" of the King James Version.

Constant reading is vital. President Spencer W. Kimball once said: "You must begin now to study the scriptures in earnest, if you have not already done so. I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves - and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again."

Family home evenings should include a study of the scriptures. Some families have found success in reading a chapter each night before bedtime, gathering around the kitchen table or in the front room with each family member reading from his or her individual copy a verse at a time in rotation until the chapter is completed. A brief discussion of the teachings of the chapter just read, followed by family prayer is a vital step in maintaining family unity and cohesiveness.

Others read on their own during the day and then have a family discussion before the evening prayer and bedtime.

No two families will approach scripture reading in the same way, and that is fine. What is important is that the scriptures are read and discussed and prayed about. Families who spend time together with the scriptures and in prayer will be fortified against the evils of the world and will endure together forever.

So, as Thanksgiving Day is observed, may it be a family holiday and may our prayers of thanksgiving include some expression of gratitude for the sacred scriptures.

The scriptures, the family, and Thanksgiving! What a joyous combination of things that are of great worth.