by David R. Larsen

Last year you read The Book of Mormon and perhaps the Doctrine and Covenants. How much of them can you remember? Is it enough to merely read the scriptures, or do we need to remember them as well?

Obviously if we are to incorporate the counsel of God in our lives, we must remember it. That is why the last words of Lehi, King Benjamin, and other Book of Mormon prophets included the counsel to “remember.” That is why, as you have read the Old Testament this year, you encountered numerous admonitions to “remember” and “not forget.”

For this purpose the Lord directed Moses to have the children of Israel write and bind his words to their hand, their house posts, and to wear them between their eyes, and teach them to their children (Deut 6:6-9; 11:18; Exodus 13:9) that they might not forget and perish. But how do we fulfill this divine directive? How can we remember so we can pass on to our posterity more of what we read in scripture?

First, it’s helpful if we make a conscious resolution to remember more of what we read. Most of us just read along hoping that what we read sticks. But the simple act of intentionally resolving to remember more will be of added help.

Second, these scenes will be even easier to remember if we can vividly imagine them occurring in sensory-rich detail: not only seeing, but hearing and feeling the events as they happen.

Can you visualize Elijah’s contest with the Priests of Baal on mount Carmel? Can you imagine their cries in vain for Baal to consume their offering, then the fire from heaven consuming not only Elijah’s offer, but the alter and water as well? If we can involve our various senses in creating vivid pictures of the scriptures in our minds they will be easy to rehearse and recall.

Third, it will be helpful if we can relate what we read to our own lives. Nephi talked about likening all scriptures unto us. He was talking about Old Testament scriptures. Some may feel because these are so old they do not relate to us, but with a bit of reflection we will find, as Nephi did, that they really do.

While it is unlikely our trials will be identical to those of ancient Israel, they may be quite similar. Do we not still encounter jealousy, sibling rivalries, temptations of the flesh, the allure of wealth and the world? The age-old passions of lust, anger and greed seem to get us into just as much trouble today as they did back then. So as we read the stories of the Old Testament we can make them more meaningful and memorable by relating them to challenges we face in our lives.

When we use these and other methods to impress the scriptures more vividly into memory, I believe it makes it easier for the Holy Ghost to bring these images to our remembrance when needed. Praying for divine assistance in this process certainly seems wise and appropriate as well, so that Holy Ghost might further aid us in storing up the words of eternal life. Then we may draw upon them in the very hour they’re needed.

There are many things we can do to make the scriptures more memorable. No doubt as you’ve been reading this, other ideas have come to your mind. Note them down, and apply them in your study.

But whatever methods you choose, it is essential that you continue to apply them until they become habit. Repetition is the mother of memory, and as Heber J. Grant taught, “that which we persist in doing becomes easier.” The more you resolve to remember and use these methods in your scripture study the easier it will be for you to recall what you have read and apply this divine wisdom to bless your life and your family.

David Larsen is a member of the Adamswood ward in the Layton Utah Valley View Stake. He is the Director of Advanced Memory Dynamics and the author of How To Remember Everything in the Old Testament, available at Deseret Book or CedarFort.com.