Thomas S. Monson, the sixteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church, counseled members to read good books.

He said:

May our homes be a library of learning.

An essential part of our learning library will be good books. Reading is one of the true pleasures of life. In our age of mass culture, when so much that we encounter is abridged, adapted, adulterated, shredded, and boiled down, it is mind-easing and mind-inspiring to sit down privately with a congenial book.

James A. Michener, prominent author, suggests: “A nation becomes what its young people read in their youth. Its ideals are fashioned then, its goals strongly determined.”

The Lord counseled, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).

Of course, the standard works offer the ultimate library of learning of which I speak. Let us read from them often, both privately and with our families, that we may be enlightened and edified and draw closer to the Lord. (President Thomas S. Monson, “A Sanctuary from the World.” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: “Building Up a Righteous Posterity” February 9, 2008.)

I appreciate President Monson’s call to return to the scriptures. Go into any bookstore. Inside are thousands of books. Each book is a promise of an exciting adventure, a study of a great life, or a source of new information. I sometimes weep because I do not have time to read all of what I wish.

But that is the real question: What do we do with our reading time? Which books should we be reading? President Monson suggests going back to the scriptures.

J. Golden Kimball, a leader in the church, made this observation:

“I am familiar with the Bible, a little, and the Book of Mormon, the D&C and the Pearl of Great Price [all books of scripture]. I have wished, sometimes, that there would be a big fire and burn all the rest of the books so that we would read these books more. Sometimes I feel that a man ought to be imprisoned for writing any more books; because I got my experience mostly by reading the books which contain the revelations of the Lord. … ”

“I want to say to the Latter-day Saints that according to my judgment and experience—I am old enough to know a few things, and I am old enough to remember some things—some of the greatest inspired men we have ever had in the history of this Church have been men who have read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the D&C and the Pearl of Great Price.”

“Now, brethren, I do not want to say anything to hurt anyone’s feelings about books that are written. I read the Bible through once, and when I got through I said: ‘I will never tackle it again in the flesh;’ but I have read in it, and I am acquainted with it, and I have marked it. I would not give my Bible for all the Bibles in the world, because it is the only Bible I can find anything in.” (J. Golden Kimball, Conference Report, October 1921, p.84.)

Of course his comments are clearly tongue-in-cheek. But his wit underscores his wisdom. We find Bible study hard, and a daunting task. But still, we should do it. As Elder Kimball suggested, we should read in it, become acquainted with it, and mark it.

The Bible has so much to offer us. We have the law, or the commandments form God. These are guides for belief and rules of behavior. We also have the prophets, or the teachings of people whom God called to lead. We also have the historical sections of the Bible. We learn of David, Elijah, Elisha (I would love to meet him), and the kings of Israel and Judah. Each one of these people provides a pattern for us. We have both good and bad examples, and we can learn how to live now by seeing how they lived then.

President Monson once spoke about personal halls of fame.

In the interior of our consciousness, each of us has a private Hall of Fame reserved exclusively for the real leaders who have influenced the direction of our lives. Relatively few of the many men who exercise authority over us from childhood through adult life meet our test for entry to this roll of honor. That test has very little to do with the outward trappings of power or an abundance of this world’s goods.

The leaders whom we admit into this private sanctuary of our reflective meditation are usually those who set our hearts afire with devotion to the truth, who make obedience to duty seem the essence of manhood, who transform some ordinary routine occurrence so that it becomes a vista whence we see the person we aspire to be.

He suggested several people from the Bible as candidates:

For a moment, perhaps each of us could be the qualifying judge through whom each Hall of Fame entry must pass. Whom would you nominate for prominent positions? Whom would I? Candidates are many—competition severe.

I nominate to the Hall of Fame the name of Adam, the first man to live upon the earth. His citation is from Moses: “And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.” (Moses 5:5.) Adam qualifies.

For patient endurance there must be nominated a perfect and upright man whose name was Job. Though afflicted as no other, he declared: “My witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.” (Job 16:19–20.) “I know that my redeemer liveth.” (Job 19:25.) Job qualifies.

Every Christian would nominate the man Saul, better known as Paul the Apostle. His sermons are like manna to the spirit, his life of service an example to all. This fearless missionary declared to the world: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16.) Paul qualifies.

Then there is the man called Simon Peter. His testimony of the Christ stirs the heart. “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matt. 16:13–16.) Peter qualifies. …

President Monson also included women from the Bible in his hall of fame:

In our selection of heroes, let us nominate also heroines. First, that noble example of fidelity—even Ruth. Sensing the grief-stricken heart of her mother-in-law, who suffered the loss of each of her two fine sons, feeling perhaps the pangs of despair and loneliness that plagued the very soul of Naomi, Ruth uttered what has become that classic statement of loyalty: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16.) Ruth’s actions demonstrated the sincerity of her words. There is place for her name in the Hall of Fame.

Shall we not name yet another, a descendant of honored Ruth? I speak of Mary of Nazareth, espoused to Joseph, destined to become the mother of the only truly perfect man to walk the earth. Her acceptance of this sacred and historic role is a hallmark of humility. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38.) Surely Mary qualifies.

These are the people from the Bible that he would include. But what is the standard by which we select them? What is it that makes a great person great? President Monson explains:

Could we ask, What makes of these men heroes and these women heroines? I answer: Unwavering trust in an all-wise Heavenly Father and an abiding testimony concerning the mission of a divine Savior. This knowledge is like a golden thread woven through the tapestry of their lives.

Who is that King of Glory, even the Redeemer, for whom such heroes and heroines faithfully served and valiantly died? He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even our Savior.

His birth was foretold by prophets; angels heralded the announcement of His earthly ministry. To shepherds abiding in their fields came the glorious proclamation: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11.)

This same Jesus “grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40.) Baptized of John in the river known as Jordan, He commenced His official ministry to men. To the sophistry of Satan, Jesus turned his back. To the duty designated by His Father, He turned His face, pledged His heart, and gave His life. And what a sinless, selfless, noble, and divine life it was! Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus wept. Jesus healed. Jesus taught. Jesus testified. On a cruel cross, Jesus died. From a borrowed sepulchre, to eternal life Jesus came forth.

The name of Jesus of Nazareth, the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, has singular place and honored distinction in our Hall of Fame. … (Thomas S. Monson, “My Personal Hall of Fame,” Ensign, July 1991, 2.)

We have all of these Biblical notables. But Christ is the center of the Bible. He is the sum and substance of the events. He is the “why?” of the Bible, which is why we emphasize the Bible. It is a testament of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the World. He has changed my life for the better, and I know He will do that for everyone.