“I don’t know much about the gospel other than what I’ve learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down the stream after the cattle have waded in it . . . I appreciate other people’s interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says and we ought to read it.” Marion G. Romney, address given at Seminary and Institute of Religion Coordinators’ Convention, 3 Apr. 1973, p. 5.Many years ago, I decided to start an ambitious scripture study program. I got out all the seminary manuals, institute manuals and scripture commentary items our home library contained. I had them all spread out on my bed and was writing up my plan of attack.
As I surveyed my collection, I suddenly felt overwhelmed.
As I considered my dilemma a bit more, I thought to myself, "I"m not studying the scriptures. I'm studying commentary." I put all the other items away and decided to concentrate on the scriptures alone.
I decided that it was probably okay to supplement my study occasionally with Institute manuals. After all, they were being revamped to make the scriptures the primary study focus anyway.
I've never regretted my decision. Later, I came across the above quote by Marion G. Romney. It has remained a favorite. I comfort myself with the notion that I'm getting water from the source.
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