That the Savior Himself quoted the words of His own prophets is significant. During His visit to the righteous Nephites and Lamanites after His resurrection, He not only quoted Isaiah, but also Malachi. (See 3 Nephi 24-25.) He also commanded the people to record the words of Samuel the Lamanite in their own records, which would come forth at a later day. (See 3 Nephi 23.) In 3 Nephi 26: 2, He added: "These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations."

It is also significant that a major portion of the Savior's teachings and counsel during His visit included commandments not only to study the words of the prophets, but also to ensure the people had them. In the April 1988 general conference, Elder George R. Hill III of the Seventy spoke of the personal search for truth in today's world.

"It has been my privilege . . . to search for truth through research in the physical sciences, an endeavor which blends some inspiration with a lot of perspiration, but which leads to the discovery of facts and principles which bring much benefit to mankind. I am most grateful for that privilege, as well as for the simultaneous privilege of discovering the principles of truth revealed directly from the Lord to His chosen prophets, as recorded in the scriptures. To the many young people of the Church who have the privilege of discovering truth through the scientific method, let me add my testimony to those of Elders James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe . . . that there is no conflict between the facts and truths of science and those given to us by direct revelation. Rather than conflicting, the facts and truths in each area complement each other, each supplying answers to basic questions which we must know, eventually, if we are to fulfill our destiny as sons and daughters and co-partners with our Father in His eternal plan.

"Apparent conflicts arise when the theories of science — which serve as a scaffolding erected to try to understand relationships among observed facts — are mistaken for the experimentally verified facts.

"Some people subject the scriptures to personal interpretation. This can give rise to differences in perception as well. I have learned to say, 'I don't know,' when confronted with choices which seem to be in conflict. No true scientist will say that we have final, exact answers through scientific research; it is an ongoing, learning process."