Scripture as a Verb: Making the Word of Wisdom Live in Our Lives

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re reading the scriptures, but the words aren't quite *sticking*? It’s like you’ve absorbed the information, but the Spirit hasn't quite translated it into action. I’ve been wrestling with this idea lately—the idea of Scripture as a verb.

We are so accustomed to seeing the scriptures as a noun, right? A solid object we can point to. But as we’ve been studying, it’s becoming clearer that the most profound relationship we can have with the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or any sacred text, is to treat it as a verb. It’s not just *what* the words say; it’s what the words *do* to us when we actively engage with them.

This week, the revelation from D&C 89 through 92 gives us a perfect blueprint for this active engagement. We’re looking at the Word of Wisdom, and it’s so much more than just a list of 'don'ts.' It’s a "principle with promise."

Beyond the List: The 'Do's' of the Word of Wisdom

When we approach the Word of Wisdom, it’s easy to get stuck on what we *can't* do. But the podcast episode really highlighted the "do's"—the things that build us up and draw us closer to the Spirit. Receiving 'health in our navel and marrow to our bones' isn't just about diet; it’s about nurturing our entire being, spiritually and physically. It's about creating a shield against the subtle 'evils and designs of conspiring men' that try to pull us off course.

This concept echoes what we learn when we study the need to be 'bilingual' in our gospel message—understanding the principles so deeply that we can translate them into every culture and every conversation. It requires deep study, just like the counsel in D&C 90 to 'study and learn' from all good books.

Scripturing as a Verb: Our Active Role

The key takeaway I want to leave you with today is that we must *scripturalize* the texts. It’s not enough for the words to exist on the page; we have to infuse them with meaning for *our* lives. If we treat the scriptures as inert objects, we lose the divine power meant to flow through them. We have to form a relationship with God *through* His word.

This principle applies everywhere—whether you’re in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or simply sitting in your living room as an internet missionary. Every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. We are called to draw out the hidden treasures of knowledge, to take those principles and put them into our daily covenants.

“...it is the Spirit manifesteth truth.”

That single line from D&C 91 is a master key for discerning truth in our modern information overload. When we feel confused, when we see conflicting worldviews, we don't look for the loudest voice; we look for the Spirit-guided testimony that points us back to the core principles. That’s what we do in our social scripture study feeds in LivingBook—we look for the *insight*, not just the highlight.

If you are feeling the pull to dig deeper into how these principles apply to your personal covenants, I highly recommend checking out the Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to move Scripture from the noun to the verb with your peers.

Let's keep this momentum going. What's one 'hidden treasure of knowledge' you found in D&C 89-92 that you plan to *act* upon this week? Share it below!