In 2012, I decided to give myself a personal challenge to read the Book of Mormon 12 times in “12.” In order to do this, I needed to read the Book of Mormon once a month which required 18 pages of reading per day. I bought an inexpensive paperback copy of the Book of Mormon and a pack of 12 different colored pens and decided to mark my book with a different color each time I read in 2012 depending on what “struck” me as important during that reading. It turned out to be an amazing experience.
After reading the Book of Mormon 12 times in 2012, I noticed several things. 1- I am sad to have 2012 come to an end. I have LOVED being IMMERSED in the Book of Mormon. Because of the rigor of the required daily reading schedule, I have had little time for other reading, and have spent time listening to the Book of Mormon on tape as well. Lynae has done this challenge with me, and I often see her reading and hear the words of the Book of Mormon coming from her I-pod in the mornings while she gets ready for school. 2-This “immersion” has had several very positive effects: There is a greater peace in my home and in my life. President Benson said of reading the Book of Mormon, “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.” (General Conference October 1986) President Hinckley said, “Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program,(of reading the Book of Mormon) regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.” (August 2005 Ensign-1st Presidency Message) I testify that these promises are true! There has been added peace and power in my life, and not JUST in the spiritual aspects of my life (Although as the Lord himself states, “ALL things are spiritual” D&C 29: 34: “Verily I say unto you, that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal.”). My testimony is, if you want to be a better student, read the Book of Mormon; if you want to be a better basketball player, read the Book of Mormon; if you want to be a better fireman or CPA or engineer or mother or teacher or doctor or dentist or lawyer or whatever, read the Book of Mormon. Power WILL come into ALL aspects of your life when you undertake to read and study the Book of Mormon. In addition to this added power and peace, I have come to know and love the people of the Book of Mormon in a way I never have before. They are my “friends,” and I can’t wait to meet them. I “miss” them, and am sad when I get to the end of any section of writing. And furthermore, at ANY given time when a story or doctrine of the Book of Mormon is mentioned, I think, “Oh yeah, I JUST read that.” Because reading the Book of Mormon monthly, I DID “just read that”. 3- As stated in the subtitle of the Book of Mormon, I have found the Book of Mormon to be a testament of the Savior. I think that herein lies the key to its power: The Book of Mormon testifies of the Savior, and thus brings the spirit into one’s life. When the spirit is in one’s life, EVERYTHING is BETTER!
The Book of Mormon is TRUE. Read it. Live it. Love it.
Your life will be forever blessed by it.
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