"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.
For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.
Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.
And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things."
3 Nephi 23:1-5
Reading this today, it strikes me as remarkable that Christ advises people to search the scriptures. He's there, in front of them, he could tell them all the messages he wants to convey himself, but he still tells them to search Isaiah and the other words that he gave to his prophets. ... And how often have we wished to speak to God, to know what he wants of us individually, or to get some guidance? This is it. He's giving us advice that lasts longer than a personal visit, that can stay with us and help us always... searching his words, finding our answers in the scriptures.
Prayer and revelation are no less important, certainly, and someday perhaps we will be able to have the Spirit guide our every step because we'll be on the same page with the Lord to that extent. But if we aren't all the way there, all the time... then scriptures are what God has given us--a way to find his word and his will even in our darkest, least inspired moments, if we reach out and search, and use that tool to draw closer to God.
Today, let's take Christ's advice and search the prophets. Let's read what God told Isaiah. Let's work to understand what God has in store for all of us, and learn his personal messages to each of us as well. All of that is there, in the scriptures, as we search and as we open ourselves to the guidance of the Spirit.
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