President Boyd K. Packer on finding spiritual protection through the scriptures

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death on July 3, 2015 at age 90.

"The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer....

"Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment....

"The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel.

"Paul and others warned about the trials of our time and the days yet to come. But peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption that are taught therein. We invite all to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ, to His teachings as found in the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

"I bear certain witness of the scriptures as a key to our spiritual protection. I also bear witness of the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, 'that through him all might be saved' (D&C 76:42) who will be saved."

- Boyd K. Packer, "The Key to Spiritual Protection," Ensign, Nov 2013, pp. 26-28
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President Packer was a devoted student of the scriptures. He not only taught the importance of faithful personal study, he exemplified it in his life, and taught with power because his teachings were founded on the scriptures.

This is an important insight. We read scriptures to learn about doctrine, laws, and ordinances. But we also read them for "spiritual protection" and the "great nourishment" they provide to aid in our daily challenges:

That promise has been given and reiterated many times: blessings will follow as we study the scriptures regularly and consistently. We obtain the greatest nourishment as we develop habits and patterns of feasting. We learn to live with happiness, hope, and faith; fear and despair are controlled and replaced as we "leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel."