A Reservoir of Living Water | David A. Bednar | 2007

The scriptures are like living water, nourishing and sustaining. To drink deeply, we must read the scriptures, study them, and search for connections daily.
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"I now want to review with you three basic ways or methods of obtaining living water from the scriptural reservoir: (1) reading the scriptures from beginning to end, (2) studying the scriptures by topic, and (3) searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and themes. Each of these approaches can help satisfy our spiritual thirst if we invite the companionship and assistance of the Holy Ghost as we read, study, and search.
Reading a book of scripture from beginning to end initiates the flow of living water into our lives by introducing us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles. This approach also enables us to learn about major characters in the scriptures and the sequence, timing, and context of events and teachings. Reading the written word in this way exposes us to the breadth of a volume of scripture. This is the first and most fundamental way of obtaining living water.
Studying by topic typically follows, grows out of, and builds upon our reading of the scriptures from beginning to end. For example, as we read the Book of Mormon we may identify and seek to find answers to important doctrinal and practical questions such as these:
• What is faith in the Savior?
• Why is faith in Jesus Christ the first principle of the gospel?
• Why and how does faith in the Redeemer lead to repentance?
• How does the Atonement strengthen me to do things in my daily life that I could never do with my own limited capacity and in my own strength?
Focusing upon such questions and studying by topic, using the Topical Guide and index to the triple combination, allow us to dig into and explore the depth of the scriptures and obtain a much richer spiritual knowledge. This approach increases the rate at which living water flows into our lives.
In my judgment, diligently searching to discover connections, patterns, and themes is in part what it means to “feast” upon the words of Christ. This approach can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir, enlighten our understanding through His Spirit, and produce a depth of gratitude for the holy scriptures and a degree of spiritual commitment that can be received in no other way. Such searching enables us to build upon the rock of our Redeemer and to withstand the winds of wickedness in these latter days.
I want to emphasize an essential point. You might initially assume that a person must have extensive formal education to use the methods I am describing. This assumption simply is not correct. Any honest seeker of truth, regardless of educational background, can successfully employ these simple approaches. You and I do not need sophisticated study aids and should not rely extensively upon the spiritual knowledge of others. We simply need to have a sincere desire to learn, the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the holy scriptures, and an active and inquiring mind.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that we should
'search the Scriptures-search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God.' [HC 1:282]
If you and I will ask, seek, and knock (see Matthew 7:7), always keeping ourselves worthy to learn from the Spirit, then the gates of the spiritual reservoir will open to us and the living water will flow. I witness, I testify, and I promise that this is true." - Elder Bednar
David A. Bednar was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was delivered on 4 February 2007.

[@haelthibeault3092]

This talk changed how I study the scriptures.

[@jenniferfiso4403]

Thank you Elder Bednar. This is wonderful. Thank you for helping us to be steadfast and immovable.

[@davemedsker]

Listened a couple times. 1 read scriptures start to finish 2 read about topics or comparing like justification and sanctification 3 read looking for patterns, repetitions, like deconstructing a topic

[@michaelvandenheuvel317]

I remember the first lesson and now the second. High seas safety for one and all. Leading no one astray.

[@rebeccalarson7995]

This is a wonderful talk and it is packed with truth and mysteries of God. I would suggest that the clinging represents fear and holding fast represents faith and the ability to let go of fear and fully rely on our Savior Jesus Christ. With that faith comes the desire to know him more and that is why we search and seek living water daily. We are filled spiritually just as water hydrates and allows us to live. It's a beautiful thing!

[@davemedsker]

That's deep. Holding fast is deeply rooted in the testimony of Jesus Christ in love.

[@BrentHCITBurgoyne]

So beautiful!

[@deliacespon5370]

I also draw knowledge and more learnings of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ through our living Prophets and His living apostles just like Elder David A. Bednar. They are all called of God and the more we listen to them, the more we will know Heavenly Father's message to us, in all our generations.

[@cla99009]

I was hoping for some passive listening....but Bednar lays it on THICK. I had to keep rewinding to re-listen. Good stuff!

[@maryjomontoya2841]

Elder Bednar is never light listening. His talks are the difference between white bread and homemade Ezekiel bread. Packed with goodness !

[@JazzyUnderscoreTrumpeter]

Incredible counsel, I need to be better about this

[@ildenete3235]

Elder Bednar , muito obrigado por falar das escrituras assim. Como água da fonte que nunca cessa de jorrar e fazem os filhos que estão em volta crescerem no mundo todo. Amo esta conexão do Pai Celestial e do Filho Jesus Cristo. As vezes sinto essa conexão com meu Pai Celestial sempre que estou em lugar santo, reverente buscando diariamente viver o evangelho da melhor maneira que consigo, me faz sentir alegria revelação ansiedade e progresso espiritual, saber identificar e discernir e ser grato a Deus por meus convênios , pelo Seu Espírito .

[@byuspeeches]

Obrigada pelo comentário e seus pensamentos! Realmente foram inspiradores.

[@phililemkhwanazi7504]

Rock of ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee; clinging on the rod with faith and continually holding fast to the iron road, which leads to the more constant living, replenishing it daily reading and searching of scripture.Thanks Elder David Bednar for the blessing heaven implore in the sacred name of Jesus Christ.

[@ironeagle9850]

Profound

[@carolmcglamery2641]

Wonderful 👏 and helpful information.

[@jamesfirst73]

This is a brilliant talk!

[@loisparrish2146]

Thank you for filling my soul today.

[@jh-nl8yf]

This was what I needed. Thank you.

[@staffordwedderburn7775]

Informative and uplifting!

[@RyanFrandsen]

Amazing!

[@manuelvasquez6539]

majesty said. IM THE LIGHT AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD THEREFORE TODAY GENERATION WITHOUT THE SAVIOR THERE IS NOT INDIVIDUAL LIFE HE GAVE US OUR HEART AS GUIDE ...MAN KNOLADGE AVEIL US NOTHING . OUR HEART CRY FOR HIS MASTER...NOTHING ELSE MATTER ...AND HE WILL TURN THE HEART OF THE FATHER TO THEIR CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN TO THE FATHER OR HE WILL WASTE THE WHOLE EARTH AT HIS COMMING ....sEAM OF jESSY. AMEN.

[@CML95018]

🙏❣️

[@jenniejennie3884]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@petersrule]

The day will come when the sticks of each tribe will come forth from all around the world.

[@matheusndeutapo483]

❤️💯💯

[@charlestuua6747]

1. Read - From Beginning to End 2. Study - Prepare Topics to focus your reading 3. Find - Patterns, Themes, etc. for principles taught to deepen your relationship with the Savior (I.e. try this with Christ’s atonement)