The purpose of the scriptures

Todays scripture mastery is 1 Nephi 19:23:

23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Nephi here is telling us what two of the reasons for studying the scriptures. 

First, they teach us about Christ, and the redemption He has given to us through the Atonement.  All the prophets in the scriptures teach us about Christ.  It is through them that we learn much of what we know about Him and His work.

Second, they are for us to "liken unto" ourselves.  That means that we should take the stories and lessons we read abut, and ask ourselves how that can apply to our own lives. One way to do that is to substitute our own name in the scriptures when we read them--When we read different commandments or council, if we mentally put our name in the verse as we read it, it helps us to internalize the teachings.  When we do that, we can more easily make the changes in our lives that we need to to bring our life in to harmony with what is being taught in the scriptures.

Try it!