I’m in the middle of that. While we did have to memorize Bible verses at Bible College, most of the ones I have memorized come from when I worked in AWANA clubs right after I left Mormonism. Listening to kids recite verses they had memorized, especially the basic plan of salvation, not only taught me those verses but also helped in my transition out of Mormonism and into Christianity.
Many of those verse come back to me when I am witnessing to the LDS but when I am doing research I dive much deeper into the Word and often go back to the Original languages. I find that when I thoroughly study a topic, I also often memorize the passages I am working on, so it goes both ways.
Also, never discount the power of the Holy Spirit, oftimes He will bring to mind a verse or part of a verse that I don’t have memorized but know enough to look it up or find it in my Bible or online. :)
Boat, where did you attend?
I think it’s pretty amazing also whenyou find yourself in a touchy situation and a whole chapter you might have read, and God revealed it’s meaning, might not have seemed significant at the time...but He knew what you would be facing...and low and behold He brought it to mind as you faced the situation before you. Perfectly suited in every way.