Name something you do every single day that is both absolutely necessary and completely gratifying: YOU EAT!

Eating is both essential and enjoyable. It’s a basic need and a welcome treat. 

The scriptures use the analogy of eating to help us understand how essential and enjoyable reading the Word of God can be. 

2 Nephi 32:3: Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Alma 32:28: Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart…ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

We all love delicious food. Whether it be a luscious lasagna, a loaded baked potato, a juicy steak, or a creamy, dreamy cheesecake…think of your favorite food and all the senses that engage when you taste and digest the goodness.

All of this goodness is found in His Word. 

Now, we have the milk of the Word, and the meat of the Word. Like babies, the milk is easily digested. They are new to eating and have no teeth!  Serving them a juicy steak would be near impossible and frankly dangerous to attempt.  They are not ready.  Yet, as a child grows and develops, new foods are introduced.  One day, they eat meat and digest it well. 

It’s the same spiritually. Hebrews 5:13-14 say, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Once we reach that age of accountability and make a commitment to Christ, we start off with the milk of the Gospel. But quickly, we grow and develop, and we digest more of the Word of God. We’re ready for the meat of the Word!

Jesus loves me… This I know.

But what else does the Bible tell me? What more do I need to know? What does God want me to discover in His Word? “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

We may sometimes shield our young people or newly baptized from the heavier scriptures, assuming it’s too complex or indigestible. Yet today’s youth are expected to learn algebra and geometry using abstract concepts and challenging solutions and to analyze literature using critical thinking and sound reasoning. Let’s give them credit: they can do hard things.

We know one of our basic duties as members of the Church is to read God’s Word. It is absolutely necessary and completely gratifying. It is both essential and enjoyable. It’s a basic need and a welcome treat. 

Can we make a greater commitment to read and study…until we desire the meat of the Word?  Can we devote more time to searching the scriptures…until they become delicious to us?

So, yes, enjoy the milk, newbies. But brothers and sisters of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let’s feast upon the word of God! Let’s hunger and thirst after righteousness! Dig into that luscious lasagna. Indulge in that loaded baked potato. Enjoy the creamy, dreamy cheesecake. Tear into that juicy steak. There is a banquet table prepared for you and me. Just claim your seat and eat the meat!

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.