"There is a power that can change lives in the specific words recorded in the standard works. That power is weakened when we paraphrase or alter the actual wording. I therefore suggest that you encourage students to cite scripture content with precision. All you do to encourage students to memorize selected scriptures accurately will bring to bear in their lives the power of their content. This experience illustrates what I mean:

"Some years ago, I received an assignment to go to another part of the world to investigate allegations that a Church leader had fathered a child out of wedlock. I took with me a very spiritual mission president, knowing that the assignment would be difficult. The accused was a close friend. We interviewed him, those that made the accusations, and those who supported him. After two days, I could not honestly say I had an impression of innocence or guilt. Each time there appeared to be damaging evidence, other evidence appeared to confuse or to refute it. Late into the night I continued to wrestle with the matter in prayer and meditation. I searched the scriptures and was led to some verses I felt would be helpful.

"We met with him again the next morning. This time I was impressed to take a different approach. I began, 'Whoever is responsible for the act has this scripture to face. Would you read it and then explain in your own words its meaning?' He read it perfectly, but as he began to explain, he hesitated and stumbled. I continued, 'This verse speaks of those sent by the servants of the Lord. Would you read it and explain it's meaning?' Other scriptures followed. By then, his whole attitude had changed, and he was perspiring and nervously shifting. There came a knock at the door, and he said, 'I see you have another interview. I'll just wait outside,' which he did.

"About forty-five minutes later, the phone rang. It was the man. He said, 'Can I see you privately?' He entered the room, sat down, and pulled from his pocket a piece of paper and pushed it across the table. It was a signed confession. How grateful I am for the scriptures that penetrated his heart and initiated the full operation of repentance, which in time has brought a full restoration of blessings.

"Teach of the power in the written word of God."

—Elder Richard G. Scott, "Four Fundamentals for Those Who Teach and Inspire Youth," in Old Testament Symposium Speeches, 1987 (1988), 5.

Likening the teachings of modern prophets and apostles to us:

1. Elder Scott recommends that gospel teachers encourage students to cite scripture content with precision. How can teachers encourage this habit in the classroom?

2. Elder Scott recommends that gospel teachers encourage students to memorize selected scriptures accurately. He promises that doing so will bring into the students' lives the power of the content of the scriptures.

3. What are the benefits of memorizing selected scriptures? How does memorizing a scripture help it to become part of the spiritual fabric of the person who memorizes it?