Scripture Mastery
Teenagers in the Mormon Church are all expected to participate in seminary: a program that teaches the youth about the scriptures. The Church has always encouraged its members to study the scriptures, beginning when they are young. Scripture mastery is a part of the seminary program. Scripture mastery verses are a group of 100 scriptures that have been deemed especially important by Church leaders, and that students are asked to memorize and understand.
Having verses of scriptures memorized can bless the lives of youth and adults. The more we know the scriptures the more they can help us face spiritual problems and overcome temptations. Knowing passages of scripture by heart can also help when sharing the gospel or bearing testimonies. Church leaders also add that learning and memorizing these scriptures helps youth learn self-mastery and memorization skills.
Youth attend seminary for four years, each year studying from one of the main books of scripture: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Each year the students are asked to memorize the twenty-five scriptures for the book of scripture they are currently studying.
Some ideas for ways to memorize the scriptures are:
- Pray for help from the Holy Ghost who will "bring all things to your remembrance" (John 14:26).
- Work on one scripture every few days.
- Ask parents or friends to quiz you.
- Understand and ponder the verse, read the chapter it is in if you need more help. Understanding it will help you remember it because you know the concept and not just the words.
- Write the verse down while saying it over and over.
- Help others learn about the verse.
- Follow the principles of the verse so that you can gain a testimony of it.
- Memorize two lines at a time.
