52 Blessings—So Let It Be Written

Calvin often says, “So let it be written. So let it be done.” It sounds scriptural. Today I am indeed grateful for the scriptures—my particular set of scriptures as well as all written scriptures.

My set of scriptures wasn’t always blue. They used to be teal green. Cali was only about ten or twelve years old when she learned I wanted a new set of scriptures; my old ones being the victim of kids and time. She went to her dad before Christmas and said, “I want to give mom scriptures for Christmas, but I don’t have enough money. Will you put half in, too?” Having asked me weeks earlier what kind of scriptures I wanted, and knowing they were definitely out of her reach, I didn't hesitate to be specific. Cali told her dad, “Mom wants the teal green ones and she wants a quadruple combination (all scriptures bound in one cover).” Then she handed Calvin a ten dollar bill and said, “Here’s my half.”

Knowing all Christmas money was already budgeted and spent, and knowing that for several years Calvin and I didn’t have enough money to include gifting each other in that budget, he came to me and shared the dilemma. The particular set of scriptures Cali thought she was buying half of cost over $100. Calvin said, “Jane, I’ve got to buy them. She’s really counting on it and it’s important to her.” So, somehow, somewhere we came up with the money and I got a Christmas gift that year while Calvin still didn’t. I often think, “Here’s my half” when I look at my scriptures and think of a little girl giving her all. How could I not appreciate them when it took her so much to give them? Likewise, when I think of the cost to the writers in the scriptures--blood and body in many cases--so that we could have them, well, it only makes sense to appreciate and love them.

As you can see, my set is no longer teal green. Several years ago, a student, seeing that my scriptures kept falling out of their teal leather cover asked me if I wanted to know of someone who could rebind them. I did. I did. I did. He put me in contact with a man that said he had the tools and ability to rebind them. I asked him if he could break them into two sets (for easier use) and he agreed that he could. They’re the same scriptures, just a different cover.

Though my scriptures have great sentimental value to me, I appreciate what is written within them even more. For many, many years I have daily read from them. Times too numerous to count, the words that I have read for that day have given me specific counsel, comfort, or direction. I remember one time when the kids were little and I was so very tired of them by the time bedtime came. I had great empathy for the old woman in the shoe that night and couldn’t get them to bed fast enough. After they were in bed, I realized I hadn’t read my scriptures for the day and pulled them out to read them. Wouldn’t you know one of the first verses I read was, “ye must repent . . . and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” I needed to be a better mother. That day wasn’t an isolated one. God knew it and then I knew it. It was a gentle enough correction, but it made a necessary difference. Time after time I’ve been not only corrected, but encouraged and directed by their words; likewise, the Spirit that attends while reading has blessed me with encouragement, understanding, and peace.

My first semester of college was at BYU-Hawaii. It was a very long way from home and I was homesick. My older sister Chris wrote me a letter that said, “I hear you’re homesick. Don’t be. Mom’s sick in bed. Dad’s cross. The little kids are fighting. There are weeds in the garden. I’m canning peaches. That is what you would be missing. DON’T BE HOMESICK.” You know after I read that letter from Chris, I wasn’t nearly as homesick, and enjoyed the new opportunities given to me. I think of the scriptures as letters from home. Letters from Heavenly Father reminding me of where and what I need to be doing and enjoying while I’m on earth. I am so very grateful for the scriptures. So let it be written. So let it be done.