In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul reminded him that “from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15).
The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi also encouraged his people to study the scriptures. In the early pages of the Book of Mormon we learn how Nephi risked his life to bring the sacred writings into the wilderness for his family. Later, Nephi quoted extensively from Isaiah’s writings, saying “And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him” (2 Nephi 11:2).
This artwork by Kylie Malchus depicts Nephi studying these writings from Isaiah. I like to think of Nephi like this, quietly reading scriptures alone by lamplight. But I also like to think of him being taught the words of prophets by his parents when he was a child. I like to think of him as a young man mulling over these passages as he hunted game and waited. I like to think of him as a mature leader, having spent a lifetime considering Isaiah’s words, and eager to explain them to his people and pass them on to future generations. Nephi knew the scriptures from when he was a child and he treasured them his whole life because they brought him closer to Christ.
—Jenny Champoux, director