I want to start the year by recording my feelings about the Book of Mormon.
I love the Book of Mormon. Reading the Book of Mormon is like drinking from a clear, cool mountain spring. It is pure, direct from the source, and easy to digest. It is also life giving and beautiful.
Christ’s doctrine is clearly explained in its pages. My understanding of the plan of salvation, the relationship between justice and mercy, the connections between faith, hope and charity, and the gift of the Atonement have come primarily through my study of the Book of Mormon. I find the stories of faith, courage, and conviction in the Book of Mormon engaging, ennobling, empowering. I ache with Abish when she tries to do something right and it seems to turn out wrong. I want to scream at Lahonti “Don’t come down from the mountain!”. I love that the Jaredites were in barges that “were tight, like unto a dish”. I cheer for Ammon when he cuts off the robber’s arms and I want to be in the crowd when Moroni unfurls the Title of Liberty.
I love the Book of Mormon because it answers my prayers. When I had trouble feeling the Spirit on my mission, it told me to make amends with my companion. When I wondered whether or not I should marry Lance, it told me that he has a good heart and is a thoroughly good man. When I struggled in a relationship, the Book of Mormon told me again and again and again to love. Love, love, love it said to me.
The Book of Mormon is a consistent source of wisdom and guidance in my life. Phrases such as “bridle all your passions that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12), “counsel with the Lord in all thy doings” (Alma 37:37) and “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17) have shaped what I do and who I am. When I am not sure what steps I should take next, I remember Nephi who “was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand what he should do” (1 Nephi 4:6) and, following his example, I go forward in faith. When I wonder “WHY????”I remember Nephi’s words “I know that he [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17) and I realize that I do not have to understand everything. I need only to remember that Heavenly Father loves me and trust Him. And I do know that He loves me. And I do trust Him.
Most importantly, the Book of Mormon has brought me to Christ. Nephi, the first Book of Mormon prophet to record his testimony, wrote “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ and we write according to our prophecies” (2 Nephi 25:26). In the final chapter of the book, Moroni says “I would exhort you that you would come unto Christ… Yea, come unto Christ” (Moroni 10:30,32). From beginning to end, the Book of Mormon bears testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, even Alpha and Omega. The Book of Mormon brings us to Christ, showing us the way to peace and joy in this life and eternal glory in the life to come.
[Note: If you want to know more about the Book of Mormon, go to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ or call 1-800-443-9911]
I love the Book of Mormon. Reading the Book of Mormon is like drinking from a clear, cool mountain spring. It is pure, direct from the source, and easy to digest. It is also life giving and beautiful.
Christ’s doctrine is clearly explained in its pages. My understanding of the plan of salvation, the relationship between justice and mercy, the connections between faith, hope and charity, and the gift of the Atonement have come primarily through my study of the Book of Mormon. I find the stories of faith, courage, and conviction in the Book of Mormon engaging, ennobling, empowering. I ache with Abish when she tries to do something right and it seems to turn out wrong. I want to scream at Lahonti “Don’t come down from the mountain!”. I love that the Jaredites were in barges that “were tight, like unto a dish”. I cheer for Ammon when he cuts off the robber’s arms and I want to be in the crowd when Moroni unfurls the Title of Liberty.
I love the Book of Mormon because it answers my prayers. When I had trouble feeling the Spirit on my mission, it told me to make amends with my companion. When I wondered whether or not I should marry Lance, it told me that he has a good heart and is a thoroughly good man. When I struggled in a relationship, the Book of Mormon told me again and again and again to love. Love, love, love it said to me.
The Book of Mormon is a consistent source of wisdom and guidance in my life. Phrases such as “bridle all your passions that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12), “counsel with the Lord in all thy doings” (Alma 37:37) and “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17) have shaped what I do and who I am. When I am not sure what steps I should take next, I remember Nephi who “was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand what he should do” (1 Nephi 4:6) and, following his example, I go forward in faith. When I wonder “WHY????”I remember Nephi’s words “I know that he [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17) and I realize that I do not have to understand everything. I need only to remember that Heavenly Father loves me and trust Him. And I do know that He loves me. And I do trust Him.
Most importantly, the Book of Mormon has brought me to Christ. Nephi, the first Book of Mormon prophet to record his testimony, wrote “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ and we write according to our prophecies” (2 Nephi 25:26). In the final chapter of the book, Moroni says “I would exhort you that you would come unto Christ… Yea, come unto Christ” (Moroni 10:30,32). From beginning to end, the Book of Mormon bears testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, even Alpha and Omega. The Book of Mormon brings us to Christ, showing us the way to peace and joy in this life and eternal glory in the life to come.
[Note: If you want to know more about the Book of Mormon, go to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ or call 1-800-443-9911]
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