My commitment to reading the scriptures
Two years ago in February 2006 I read an article on Meridian Magazines LDS web sight by its founder Scot Proctor. He said he had read his scriptures "every day no matter what" since 1972. He had informed his family that if he was ever in a coma or otherwise unable to read that they were to read to him "every day no matter what." Then he threw out a challenge to those reading the article to make a commitment to read their scriptures "every day no matter what." I took the challenge. I have read my scriptures regularly for a long time but never "every day no matter what." The first few months were difficult, as there were times when I would wake up in the middle of the night and realize that I hadn’t read. Bleary eyed scripture reading is not the best. When we travel I always throw in a small Book of Mormon. Last year I only forgot once. We were on a vacation in Mexico and one night we stayed up late playing cards and I went to bed without reading. I woke up at some point and rehearsed a chapter of Isaiah I have memorized. (53) Did that count?
I have been amazed at how much I am able to read with this "every day no matter what" commitment. Last year I finished the New Testament I had started the year before and then read all of the restored scriptures. On Sundays I try to read several chapters but most days I only read a chapter or two. The spirit has been with me like never before. I feel direction, peace and joy that I am hooked on. My prayers are better and more frequent. I feel more love and patience. My gospel knowledge has more depth. I will always be grateful to Brother Proctor for his challenge. Maybe you would like to have the blessings of reading scriptures "every day no matter what."