Spirit vs Study
SAYS YOU: "We have had many discussions re: scripture reading and it's veracity verses the Holy Spirit being necessary."
ME: (unedited for style or anything else) I will be blunt. The discussion occurred more in your mind than in reality. We both agree that scripture reading and revelation of the Holy Spirit are both essential. I have passed by the many instances where you put forth that they are exclusive. You seem to believe that we can either choose the scripture or the Holy Spirit to obtain truth. You seem to be under the impression that the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is superior to scripture scholarship. You never believe me when I tell you that I value both.
The Word of God in the Bible and Book of Mormon was all written by the Holy Ghost. When you are reading his word, you are being inspired by the Holy Ghost. Few have the experience what Moroni had described.
I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things;
And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing.
And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.
You seek Jesus by studying what Moroni had compiled for you. You see Him thru the words that the prophets and apostles have written.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
You seem to think that all will be opened, found and received without seeking Jesus through scripture reading. The Holy Scriptures are God's main method to communicate Himself. Creating them has been a hassle that He has undertaken through earth's existence. He has required His prophets and apostles whom he loves, to give up their lives and endure woe that they may wind up in your hands and below your eyes.
Hebrews 11
36. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38. (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and inmountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
I testify that their blood will cry from out of the ground against those who have set those books aside and determined all that was a waste, that they can get the Word of God some other way.
1 Nephi 19:7 For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words--they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.
What do men set at naught? Things that are written.
2 Nephi 33
1. And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
2. But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
3. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
4. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
Nephi is saying that when someone speaks by the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost strikes the listeners in the heart. He is afraid that the same effect will not be experienced by the written word. The fact is, when someone esteems the Word of great worth, the Holy Ghost, which wrote the books, will carry the words into the hearts of the children of men. The trouble is not with the written word. The problem is that "there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught".
If someone things that they can get the Word of God in their hearts apart from diligent study of the scriptures, they are fooling themselves. Nephi says there are five things that one must do to communicate with God.
2 Nephi 32:3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Behold how closely feasting on the words of Christ is associated with the Holy Ghost. We must feast. Therefore,
2 Nephi 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
Feasting on the words of Christ in combination with receiving the Holy Ghost is a powerful method to knowing God and receiving from him instruction on how to execute mortal life. but that is not all.
2 Nephi 32:6 and when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.
That's right! As you treasure the Scriptures and the Holy Ghost, Christ will manifest himself to you while you are still in the flesh to tell you what you should do.
Additionally, we get to know Jesus thru the scriptures and by them we can follow his example.
2 Nephi 31:16-7 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter.
Nephi saw what Jesus would do and ex[ect and wrote them down. We must follow that example. We see the example in things written...what Nephi wrote down.
3 Nephi 27:21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
We see what he did on the pages of the scriptures.
Of course we are going to mess up even if we are righteous, inspired scripture studyers. but as we strive to enter in, and we are prayerful in all that we do, he will consecrate thy performance unto us, that our performance may be for the welfare of our soul, no matter the mess we make of it all.
2 Nephi 32:9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
2 Nephi 33:4. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
Now, you have indicated that the above is lawyerly as opposed to being spiritual. I hope you will see how the above is a combination of written word and personal revelation. You have heretofore created a false dichotomy.
When I first joined the church, I immediately became draw to the scriptures. I was teaching institute 8 months after baptism. I kept my scriptures with me while in the military and studied them at every opportunity. I kept a book in my belt under my starched shirt, which kept it handy yet undetected.
One day, during a war game, I was in my jeep studying Romans. I became frustrated at the slow pace of this line upon line, precept upon precept stuff. I remember my prayer: "Lord, I have read this over and over. Every time I do, I see something I didn't see before. Cant you just let me see everything in the scriptures at once?" Immediately, my mind was open and I saw everything. My eyes raced uncontrollably over the verses. My mind was about to meltdown. I slammed the book closed. All that I saw was removed from my memory. Slamming the book closed woke up my colleague who sat asleep in the other seat. He asked me what. I couldn't begin to tell him. I got out of the jeep. Someone snapped a picture of me. I have that picture (I'll find it and send it). I was told that if I studied hard, I would get that knowledge.
I have dedicated my life to studying the scriptures. You have noted that just from our exchanges. And what has been my blessing? I have been given a knowledge that I wasn't ready for back then but which I am ready for now.
So why now? I think I know.
1) There were many experiences I needed to have. I had yet to go on a mission and get married. I had yet to have kids and suffer poverty. All experiences are for our learning and development.
2) I had a lot of repenting to do. A lot. One night, as I lay in bed, I asked to see what Lehi saw. I can't describe what happened. It was like all things were being gathered (best I can do to describe). I felt that in any instant the vision would burst forth and I got very excited. In another instant, it all ended. I was told to repent. He told me what I asked was possible. I wasn’t ready for the responsibility that comes from seeing.
3) My isolation has a lot to do with it. Who knows what I would have done with the divine knowledge that I have now. I think the Lord put me in the woods on the side of a mountain before I was enlightened. My isolation is beyond understanding. I hardly see anyone but my family. I go to Church and nobody knows I don't believe in the Church. I go to the Nazarenes and nobody knows I believe in the Book of Mormon. My family has no interest in what I know, discounting it all because they know I don't believe in the Church. Spiritual companionship is nonexistent. I guess He knows that the world must find out, if ever they will, the same way I did. He knows I can't keep my mouth shut. He put me where that isn't remotely a problem.
I have new wine. It is impossible to pour it into old wine skins. The skins will burst. Besides, He says that people prefer the old wine.
So here I am. Occasionally hinting at the truth I know on Quora. As you can see, that is not totally effective. But at least I offer just a little here and a little there. Rejection is what I expect. I am alright with that. I would have rejected me, too, 10 years ago.
Now here is a hoot. In discussing gospel topics, I hear that I have an unfair advantage in debate because I know the scriptures. Well, maybe if THEY knew the scriptures they would have to agree with me!