Page 1 of 1

Let's get memorizing...

Posted: February 2nd, 2008, 1:54 am
by Stephen
When I was a missionary...my mission had something called the "Vaughn J. Featherstone scripture mastery list". This list was 300+ scriptures that covered foundational gospel doctrine. I memorized all of those scriptures...and it absolutely changed my life. Many times I found that I had no idea what a scripture was until I had repeated it 100 times trying to memorize it. To this day...my minds eye remembers where many of those scriptures are....and if the scripture is started I can generally finish. People are amazed when you can cite the reference and share a scripture verbatim....and it lends soooo much credibility to what you are sharing.

On the other hand...knowing no references...or kind of knowing them is enough for people to dismiss you. Sure it's easy to go back to my computer and find a quote to show my point...but when I am approached by an emotional...in your face person...I am presently ill equipped to back my claims with the power that comes from true memorization.

This year I am dusting off my brain...and I'm going to start memorizing those statements by prophets...scriptures...founders...and others that support the cause of freedom. Quotes of a true LDS conservative (many of which can be found on the main page of LDS cons). I will be citing the person who said it...when they said it...and where they said it...and I will be learning it VERBATIM. Not..."I kinda have it"...but "I have it word for word".

I invite you to do two things.

1. Share on this thread the quotes...scriptures...etc...and the references that you feel are a part of the "Bible"of a LDS conservative. It would be good to find at least one really good quote from a valid source to counter each objection we my come in contact with.

2. Make a goal to memorize...to be equipped for the war of words... Learn it inside and out...indellibly etched in your brain....and then share it with someone else...and then report here what you memorized.

I will be reporting my progress here whether or not anyone joins me.

Here is the first one I will memorize...

"
If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free - Americans who have been lulled away into a false security." (Ezra Taft Benson, April 1968, General Conference Report)
It would be good if we put them in order too of which we deem are most important..

Posted: February 2nd, 2008, 6:50 am
by lundbaek
One of my current most useful scriptures is Verse 6 of the 98th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants. “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;”

In the outline or preface to the 98th Section is stated: “The saints are to befriend the constitutional law of the land.”

On this same theme, Apostle David O. McKay stated in the October 1939 General Conference: “Next to being one in worshiping God, there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States.”

And in the April 1935 General Conference, President J. Ruben Clark said: “To me...that statement of the Lord, ‘I have established the Constitution of this land,’ puts the Constitution of the United States in the position in which it would be if it were written in this book of Doctrine and Covenants itself. This makes the Constitution the word of the Lord to us.”

Posted: February 3rd, 2008, 9:29 am
by cjex
here is one I seem to find good use of all the time:

D&C 121: 39
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

Posted: February 3rd, 2008, 4:30 pm
by ShawnC
Here I believe is a really good one. The church hymn book has it as the 3rd verse but it is actually the 4th verse of our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. I once sang this verse to open a basketball game in college instead of the first, to a standing ovation. Of course this was at UVSC in Happy Valley Utah. :D

Anyway, I think everyone should know the whole song, but this verse is the best.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Shawn

Posted: February 3rd, 2008, 7:44 pm
by HeirofNumenor
Anyway, I think everyone should know the whole song, but this verse is the best.

Quote:
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our Trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Thank You!

I sing this verse everytime the song is sung.

Posted: February 3rd, 2008, 11:23 pm
by Stephen
So are any of you up for memorizing those things? If you already have...what's next?

Here's my next one to memorize...
“The Book of Mormon narrative is a chronicle of nations long since gone. But in its descriptions of the problems of today’s society, it is as current as the morning newspaper and much more definitive, inspired, and inspiring concerning the solutions of those problems.
I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere . Each began as small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras. Gordon B. Hinckley “a testimony vibrant and true" from the first presidency in 2005
I shamefully hardly know our national anthem. It would be good to have that committed to memory. I don't think it would be at the top of the list to win a war of words...but it is a foundational song of US patriotism.

memory box

Posted: February 6th, 2008, 1:52 am
by ithink
I'll take it on. :wink:

I used a memory box to memorize scriptures when I was young. Current items being memorized were marked on recipe cards and reviewed daily. After a week, if committed to memory, I placed them in the 7 day review area. After that, they went into the 2 week review area, then a month, then 6 months, and finally the annual review area. Anything missing from my memory at any point went to the front until it stuck. It really did work.

I'm going to bring my box out again, maybe get the kids involved too. Like you, doing this changed my life. I wonder why I stopped.

:?:

Posted: February 6th, 2008, 8:54 am
by ChelC
I tried that index card thing with household chores and divided daily chores, weekly chores, etc. After about a month I had about four hundred things in the daily section because I'd kept getting busy and moving them back one space. :lol:

I do best in cram sessions I think. I learn in cram sessions and aside from the daily chores, I clean in cram sessions, too.

I like the idea though, maybe I will use it next year. I plan on having my son memorize the articles of faith for school.

Posted: February 6th, 2008, 9:17 am
by Stephen
It sounds like ithink and I have the same method. Right now I'm trying to configure my printer to print 3x5 cards. I really don't want to have to cut and paste small pieces of paper like I did a long time ago. I'm also having to study right now for a Ham radio technicians test I'm taking on tomorrow. That is my report.

Posted: February 6th, 2008, 9:56 am
by buffalo_girl
I've felt the need to memorize scripture lately, as well.

When I returned to college some years back as a single parent in my early 30's, my BYU adviser had me sign up for a Book of Mormon class for returned missionaries. I'm not sure what his intent was in recommending that class. It was horrible.

The student's grade was totally dependent on a single final exam. We were required to site from memory chapters & verses specific to questions regarding doctrinal principles & topics. At the time, I had a pretty comprehensive grasp of Book of Mormon principles but focusing down to the specific chapter & verse without a cross referenced index - as we have now - required a profound level of commitment to scripture study.

Over the years I have become lazy. Perhaps our cross referenced index has contributed to less vigilance in committing chapter & verse to memory. Take a look at the older Standard Works. The indexes were not much help at all.

I appreciate ithink's method of memorization. I'm going to give it a good try.

The time will come when all those who are blind will be compelled to see. There will be a great deal of fear and probably some will openly convert to 'nazism' because of their fear. Those who may well 'awaken to their awful situation' in one terrible moment when evil rolls forth its machine of destruction unadorned with pleasantries and veiled lies will need to be bolstered and encouraged to stand for Christ. Here's a reference that impressed me.
Alma 61:

12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.
13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

21...tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free.
Of course, we must earn the 'right' to 'stand fast in that liberty', but perhaps God has actually allowed some to come to the truth a bit at a time. My own inactive children - who love extreme sports, have a perfect sense of justice on a day to day application, and are very bright otherwise - cannot face the political realities of the present.

They will be physically fit and hopefully capable of surviving difficult conditions, but they will need to hear the encouraging Word of God in order to come forth as warriors in our time of crisis.

I have felt for many years that my life challenges were preparation for a future in which others will need to learn from me in order to get through their challenges. Try not to be angry with the Saints who cannot see. There won't be time to work through our resentment - and we might make some awful mistakes in consequence of that resentment - when 'all hell busts loose'.