Elder David Bednar said::

‘In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.’ “More Diligent and Concerned at Home” (Ensign or Liahona,Nov. 2009)

To help members understand what Elder Bednar taught, perhaps you could display a painting in which the artist’s brushstrokes are visible, such as Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Green Wheat Field with Cypress Tree).

How are the brush strokes in this painting like scripture study?

‘Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.’  ‘ “More Diligent and Concerned at Home” (Ensign or Liahona,Nov. 2009)

Elder Bednar talked about some of the challenges he and his wife faced in trying to embed the practice of family prayer and scripture study:

‘Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.’ ‘ “More Diligent and Concerned at Home” (Ensign or Liahona,Nov. 2009)

Have you experienced some of the obstacles to consistent personal or family scripture study?

How have you overcome them?

D&C 64: 33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small thingsproceedeth that which is great.

At General Conference, in his closing remarks President Nelson said

‘The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.’

What did he urge us to do and what blessings did he promise?

Surely those promises are worth working for!

The power of consistency:

‘Imagine a leaky tap. Regardless of how you hard you twist it, it still drips. One drop at a time. Incessantly – drip, drip, drip. The consistency becomes an annoyance pretty quickly. But in the right environment and given enough time, that same dripping with that same consistency, can have an immense amount of power.

That’s how canyons are made. Not all at once, but through the power of consistency.

Dripping isn’t that exciting, but what it lacks in excitement it makes up for in effectiveness. There’s a lot to be said for the power of consistency.’

What do you feel inspired to do to move towards consistency in gospel study?