'Living water'

Young adults counseled to drink deeply and long from scriptural reservoir

By Greg Hill
Church News staff writer

PROVO, Utah — The scriptures are a reservoir of living water and are needed to sustain spiritual growth, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve told a congregation of young adults attending a Church Educational System fireside Sunday, Feb. 4.
His message was broadcast via satellite throughout North America and other parts of the world.
Elder Bednar began by asking a simple question, "What is the most valuable substance or commodity in the world?" and answered that "of all the minerals, metals, gems, and solvents found on and in the earth, the most valuable is water.
"Given the vital role of water," he suggested, "the Savior's use of the term 'living water' is supernally significant."
Referring to the Savior's declaration to the Samaritan woman at the well as recorded in John 4, Elder Bednar explained that living water "is a representation of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. And as water is necessary to sustain physical life, so the Savior and His doctrines, principles, and ordinances are essential for eternal life. You and I need His living water daily and in ample supply to sustain our ongoing spiritual growth and development.
"The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is 'the fountain of living waters' by reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ as contained in the holy scriptures."
Elder Bednar told the young adults that they have the responsibility to use the scriptures "consistently and effectively and to drink deeply from the reservoir of living water." He reviewed "three basic ways or methods of obtaining living water from the scriptural reservoir," each of which "can help to satisfy our spiritual thirst if we invite the companionship and assistance of the Holy Ghost as we read, study, and search."
1. Reading the scriptures from beginning to end. This "initiates the flow of living water into our lives by introducing us to important stories, gospel doctrines, and timeless principles" which also "enables us to learn about major characters in the scriptures and the sequence, timing, and context of events and teachings. ... This is the first and most fundamental way of obtaining living water."
2. Studying the scriptures by topic. This method "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," Elder Bednar observed. "Focusing upon such questions and studying by topic ... allows 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."
3. Searching the scriptures for connections, patterns, and themes. Searching the revelations "builds upon and adds to our spiritual knowledge; ... it broadens our perspective and understanding of the plan of salvation," Elder Bednar said. "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."
He highlighted several elements of Lehi's vision of the tree of life to underscore the importance of reading, studying, and searching the scriptures. "Father Lehi saw several groups of people pressing forward along the strait and narrow path seeking to obtain the tree and its fruit. ... The tree of life is the central feature in the dream and is identified in 1 Nephi 11 as a representation of Jesus Christ. The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Savior's Atonement. ... The rod of iron that led to the tree ... is the word of God."
He explained the differences between three groups mentioned in Lehi's vision.

One group "pressed forward and commenced in the path that lead to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents the temptations of the devil, they lost their way, they wandered off, and they were lost."

A second group of people obtained the strait and narrow path that leads to the tree of life, pressed forward through the mist of darkness clinging to the rod of iron, and partook of the fruit of the tree. As they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. "Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional 'bursts' of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.

Pressing forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, a third group "came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree." Elder Bednar suggested, "This third group of people consistently read and studied and searched the words of Christ. Perhaps it was the constant flow of living water that saved the third group from perishing.

Physical "thirst is a demand by the cells of the body for water, and the water in our bodies must be replenished daily. It frankly does not make sense to occasionally 'fill up' with water, with long periods of dehydration in between. The same thing is true spiritually. Spiritual thirst is a need for living water. A constant flow of living water is far superior to sporadic sipping."
In conclusion, he encouraged the young adults to prayerfully ponder whether they were merely "clinging" or "holding fast" through daily reading, studying, and searching the scriptures.

What is the "rod of iron"?  Here is "hidden manna"
See also "Hold to the Rod"
                                 Parable of the Sower