Understanding the Scriptures

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. 

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

Articles of Faith 8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.

Moroni 10:5        And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

John 14:26 But the “Comforter”, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things

Prov. 4:7 With all thy getting, get understanding

1 Ne19:23 ……..for I did liken al scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning

Scriptures frequently address many topics in the same verse or chapter, consequently it is not easy to extract the intended meaning, furthermore, they often are given in the context of the contemporary culture. The result of all this is that if we attempt to understand scripture purely with our limited human philosophy as a tool, we most likely will not come to understand the Lord’s intent.

If our lives are in harmony with the Lord’s will, He will frequently send us messages, often when we study the scriptures. Thoughts will come to our mind related to the scripture we are reading with insights quite different from common explanations.

 For example, on an occasion, while studying the sermon on the mount, it occurred to me that the pain of loss for loved ones, and I had lost several relatives, dear friends, and two wonderful wives, did not compare to the anguish of the realization that on some occasions I had offended my Heavenly Father. Mat 5:4 became one of my favorite scriptures helping me to understand elements of the Atonement. 

The messages transmitted to us by the Holy Ghost are given to us according to our understanding and our needs. The Lord knows us, knows our level of understanding, consequently He speaks to us individually, according to that understanding. Though His truths are eternal and unchanging, which part of that truth He emphasizes when speaking to Uwe might be quite different from the message He gives to Jeri.

How then do we recognize that a particular interpretation of a scripture represents pure truth? 

The message of that scripture comes to us through the Holy Ghost. How do we recognize that? 

1. We have that same feeling in our heart which we felt when the warmth and peace of our testimony first filled out heart. In other words, it is in harmony with previous spiritual experiences.
2. The message is in harmony with the teachings and official publications of the restored Church, this includes the Scriptures.
3. The interpretation is in harmony with the statements of the Prophets, General Authorities, and General Conference addresses.
4. The message is uplifting and brings us closer to Christ