How to Memorize the Scriptures as a Family

One of my favorite things to do is to teach.  I was helping teach an Art Masterpiece class in my daughter's kindergarten class and one of the teachers asked me if I was a teacher.  I said no but I love to work with children.  She had commented on how well I was able to teach and interact with the children.  As I thanked her and walked away, I realized that yes I am a teacher.  I may not have a certificate or degree that tells me I am but I have been teaching since I was a teenager, served a full time mission for my church where I taught the gospel of Jesus Christ daily for 18 months.  I have taught all different ages from 2 to 90 year old people.  I have taught about family history both on the west and east coast throughout community organizations.  I just really love to teach.  

One of my favorite opportunities to teach comes once a month when I get to teach a class of women 18 years old and up.  This class is called the Relief Society which is the largest women's organization in the world.  This past lesson was about the Book of Mormon and how important it is to read and study from the scriptures.  

As I was at studying my scriptures early one morning before the children woke up, I was pondering how I can get the words of the prophets who were inspired by God, into the hearts and minds of my children.  Elder Richard G. Scott once said,

“Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change”  (The Power of the Scriptures)

I love that quote and I wanted that same power for my children as they face the many challenges that come and will continue to come their way.  I decided that I needed to design some tools to help my children memorize the scriptures.  I wanted to create something that would not only be kid-friendly, but family-friendly.  I didn't want just my kids memorizing the scriptures, but my husband and I as well.  

First of all, we need to set up a system to rotate our scriptures as a starting point.  Watch this unique "Scripture Memory System" of how to set up your own at home.  I will explain the Daily Scripture activities that will go alongside this concept afterwards.

Where do you start to pick from the great words found in the scriptures?  I decided to use the Scripture Mastery list that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has available.  The first scripture mastery comes from the Book of Mormon and is found in 1 Nephi 3:7.  I found my little Nephi sketch, prophet found in the Book of Mormon, from MelonHeadz Illustrating. I created for my family and readers a mini-booklet, index card, flash cards and instructions on how to put it all together below.  

Scripture Mastery Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7

Here are a couple sample pages of what the mini booklet looks like.  There is also a drawing page for your child to sketch what the scripture is talking about or what it means to them.  You can download all these free printables for your first scripture to memorize as a family right here online.  Simple sign up to receive our free newsletter that is sent by email twice a month.  It is absolutely free to join and you only need to leave your email address.  You will receive an email with a direct link to download the first packet from our Book of Mormon Series.  There are directions included in the packet explaining in detail how to assemble everything.  All you need to do now is stop by the Dollar Store and pick up a small index box and start working on 1 Nephi 3:7 today!

Scripture Mastery Book of Mormon Subscription FreebieYour final project after printing and laminating should look something similar to what I put together below for our family.  I also created three games similar to file folder games to help everyone work on memorizing this scripture.  They will be available here online at the end of the week.  Stop by and grab them while they are still free this weekend!

Scripture Mastery Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7