22. To learn Torah

Status: Active

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." ~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7

This commandment requires parents to teach the scriptures to their children and to talk about the law throughout each day.  In order to teach, one must first learn (see D&C 11:21), so, implicit in this commandment is a requirement to learn and know the scriptures.  The "words" referred to in this commandment are interpreted as meaning the Torah.  It is also important to note that this commandment is gender neutral.  Both men and women are to know and teach the scriptures to their children.  Those who believe that scripture study and familiarity are an exclusive domain of men do not know the Lord.

Adherence to the word and law of the Lord is fundamental to spiritual and physical liberty. The Law given to Moses is one of the greatest blessings ever given to the human family.  When people adhere to the word of the Lord they are blessed, when they disregard the word of the Lord they will be the cause of their own destruction. 

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." ~ Joshua 1:8

This commandment to learn scripture has been reiterated by the Lord Jesus Christ:

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." ~ John 5:39

In the current dispensation, all those who seek at-one-ment with the Father are required to read, know, and do according to new scriptures which have been revealed in addition to former commandments:

"And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—" ~ Doctrine & Covenants 84:57

This scripture is obviously a derivative of the 1st commandment, but also of the 5th, in that it is a requirement of parents to teach the Law unto their children if they expect their children to honor them.  Parents who fail to teach their children the Law rob them of the greatest inheritance that can be bestowed. 

I testify that peace comes to those who choose to read and follow what the scriptures teach.  This peace is real and is one of the greatest blessings that can be obtained in mortality.  The commandment to read, know, and do as the scriptures teach is still active.  The Lord has given this commandment for our benefit.  The scriptures teach how to live and act in every single aspect of life.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. ~ Psalms 19:7-8