Memorize For Life

We just memorized Mosiah 4:9. If we want to have it memorized for life, we can follow a simple pattern.

Repeat the passage by memory every day for one week

Repeat the passage by memory every week for one month

Repeat the passage by memory every month for one year

Then you will have the passage memorized for life

Memorization is very beneficial for the young and old. It strengthens and expands our mind when we're young and keeps our mind alert and active during those golden years.

We have many moments every day that can be spent memorizing: driving in the car, walking to a class, waiting for an appointment, exercising, working in the yard, etc. Spend 15 minutes each day memorizing a Book of Mormon scripture and notice the difference it makes in your life. It not only strengthens your mind, but you will notice your life through lighter and brighter eyes.

Memorization becomes easier and easier the more you do it. Keep a scripture card in your pocket and pull it out during those random moments each day.

Here's a chart we give our children when they pass off Mosiah 4:9. It helps them follow the Memorization For Life pattern. Have the person passing them off initial and date each box as it is completed. There are seven boxes for the week, four boxes for the month, and 12 boxes for the year. 

Here is a simple version you can use to keep track of three scriptures at a time. Have them write the scripture reference in the black box at the top of the page. Keep the chart in the Book of Mormon Scrapbook. 

Books in the Book of Mormon Finger Game

I learned this little memory trick many years ago, and I still use it to remember the order of the books in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has 15 books, so it works well to separate the books into 3 groups of 5. Children love finger games, so use the movement of your fingers and hands to go along with the clues.

(hand one) 1-2-J-E-J

(hand two) O-We-Made-A-Hand

(hand three) 3-4-M-E-M

Here are the books listed in order along with the memory clue:

1 - 1 Nephi

2 - 2 Nephi

J - Jacob

E - Enos

J - Jarom

O - Omni

We - Words of Mormon

Made – Mosiah

A - Alma

Hand – Helaman

3 - 3 Nephi

4 - 4 Nephi

M - Mormon

E - Ether

M – Moroni

Spend some time talking about the clues. You can ask your children some of these questions or make up your own questions. What's the same about group one and three? What's different about group one and three? How can you remember the J's go with 1&2 and the M's go with 3&4? How does your hand help you remember group two?

Here's one idea to do with children who are learning to read and write. Have them trace their hand 3 times on a sheet of paper. Then have them write the names of each book on the fingers.

They can color and decorate their paper. Then have them put it in the front of their Book of Mormon scrapbook.

Here are some sheets we've created. There are three different versions. You are welcome to use any of these if they are helpful.