Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job from a timber merchant, and he got it. The paid was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees "Congratulations," the boss said. "Go on that way!" Very motivated from the boss' words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 15 trees. The third day he try even harder, but he only could bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. "I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. "When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees..."

     We are all "busy" and we try our best to do everything that needs to be done.  But, do we take the time to "sharpen our axe"?  

     Take the time to read your scriptures, pray daily.  There are times that you are just too tired and  do not want to add one more thing  on your daily list.  But develop a habit, ask for help during prayer, search the scriptures carefully as you read, ponder what you have read and be sensitive to the holy ghost, write about significant insights you have received while studying the scriptures and express gratitude in prayer for the opportunity to read the scriptures.

•     President Gordon B. Hinckley meant when he said: “I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine.”