July 17, 2026

President Spencer W. Kimball said "I feel strongly that we must all of us return to the scriptures just as King Josiah did and let them work mightily within us, impelling us to an unwavering determination to serve the Lord".

I love that he used the word "return", as in get back to them - there's a strong assumption in his statement that every one of us, at some point, or likely multiple points, have grown lax or taken for granted how marvelous a blessing it is to have access to the scriptures and other study guides and tools as we do today.

I love how the scriptures teach historical patterns that repeats on the universal scale of humanity AND within each of us personally, allowing us to distil and apply leasons and patterns made up of thousands of years into our life. For example, Josiah has to return Judah to the Lord and cast out the idols, groves, and high places. He had to do this because the kings before him turned away. Kings before them did the same as Josiah. Whether it's the pride cycle or comfort that leads to a relaxed practice of religion that leads to sin - we all go through hills and valleys in our commitment and effort to appreciate and study the scriptures and follow Christ. President Kimball's warning to follow the example of Josiah is a prophetic declaration that echoes throughout dispensations with the purpose of bringing joy. In 2 Kings 23:3 we see that because of the scriptures, Josiah and the people of Judah entered into a covenant with the Lord, and we know that a covenant relationship is how we know the Lord. The scriptures bring joy because they point us towards Christ, they help us know Him, and as we know Him, we come to know our Father. And that is life eternal, that we may know our Father and our Savior. And that is joy.