Reading Scriptures Profits Man

Elder R. Nobleza

Elder Ramon Nobleza of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this morning addressed the 470 saints of La Carlota Philippines District in their semi-annual Church conference at La Carlota City, Philippines.

"Learn the scriptures to verify the truthfulness of the words of the Lord," Elder Nobleza opened up.

In their recent meeting with the members of the Philippines Area Presidency in Manila, he informed that the Brethren have noticed that Filipinos are not voracious readers, but rather prefer to listen to moral stories and teaching.

La Carlota LDS Meetinghouse

Elder Nobleza together with his fellow members of the Seventy wanted to prove them wrong. They counseled that every latter-day saint (LDS) or member of The Church of Jesus Christ should read the scriptures daily. "Scriptures are given from heaven."

Every LDS should read and learn from the scriptures to verify that they are the words of the Lord. He cited the 8th book of John verses 28 to 29 that Jesus had done nothing of Himself but what His Father taught Him, and that He did all those things always that His Father please Him. Jesus is obedient. Thus, Elder Nobleza advised all La Carlota saints to be obedient too.

"What you have listened and heard from this conference, see to it that you do them," he urged the saints.

He pointed out the time between a person is called to serve the Lord and the time he is released from such calling. It's "the time of work." You're measured on how you work with the Lord. In missionary work for instance, he expounded, it's not where you served, but how you served.

In your reading, sometimes you may encounter the word, "hearken." It is a word not only denotes to listen but to do what's being commanded. God's words are given to us to gain, to resist temptations.

"Liken the scriptures unto us" (1 Nephi 19:23) as what Nephi, [one of the major characters in the Book of Mormon] was doing in his time for their profit and learning, he stressed.

He also cited 1 Corinthians 10:13 that says: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may able to bear."

He finally said, "The Spirit speaketh - read the scriptures. Take time to read to understand what the Spirit is teaching you. Do it what the Spirit teaching you for scriptures are given from heaven."

The conference was attended by members coming from branches and units of San Enrique, Ayungon, La Carlota First and Second, Masville, Manggapsang, La Castellana and Moises Padilla here in Negros Occidental, Philippines. It was presided by Elder Ramon Nobleza with the members of Bacolod Philippines Mission Presidency composed of President George Tobias, President Avelino Santillan, Elder Delan Barton Bevans, and the host La Carlota District Presidency composed of President Mario Malacaman, President Jimboy Loreto and President Karl Agreda.

The music for the conference was provided by La Carlota District choir.

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