1 Nephi 5

The scriptures are pretty special, as 1 Nephi 5 illustrates.

As soon as Lehi first received the scriptures, he gave a prayer of thanks and then studied them (1 Nephi 5:10). They gave an account of the creation of the world, a record of the Jews and prophecies of prophets (1 Nephi 5:11-13). They also contained a genealogy of his ancestors (1 Nephi 5:14). I'm sure that was wonderful to know your ancestors. For me, I always find it fascinating to hear about my own ancestors and what they did. It gives you a sense of connection with the past. It shows you where you came from.

Scriptures are something that you use to guide you in your daily life. It gives you guidance if you look for it. This particular chapter, for example, teaches me how I should be studying the scriptures and what I should be looking for.

I should begin with a prayer. A prayer of thanks for the blessing of having the word of the Lord accesible. I could then start studying from the beginning. But I could also study by subject: creation, history, prophecies, genealogy (some examples). As I finish my study, I should have the spirit with me at the point if not beforehand. Then I will have guidance for my own life and my family and would share my learning with others.

Nephi says:

And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children (1 Nephi 5:21).

The scriptures are always of great worth and desirable, because they inform you of what God wants His children to know and cause us to find happiness. Meaning, they present to us His commandments and His wisdom. You wouldn't want to raise children in an environment without every scrap of guidance that could lead them to happiness. It's a wonderful thing that Lehi's family, and my own, are each blessed with the scriptures.

In 1 Nephi 5:22, it reads:

Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.

We travel in the wilderness everyday. That's a part of mortality. We try to work through hardships that we face in life. Carrying the scriptures with us, carrying the word of God with us in our hearts and in our homes, can help us on our way towards the land of promise, towards Eternal Life.