I Love the Book of Mormon

This morning I finished reading the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ in English and Spanish I have been reading them in parallel throughout the year--the same verses each day in each language. I love the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God. Reading it plants in my heart the desire to be a better person and a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Because I read and love the Book of Mormon, I love Jesus Christ. Because I love Jesus Christ, I love reading the Book of Mormon.

My love for the Book of Mormon has strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ, which has given me the determination to repent when I fall short and to live God’s commandments more faithfully. I seek more consistently to serve others. My hope in a glorious resurrection, united with my family throughout eternity, grows ever brighter.

Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of the living God, He is our Savior and Redeemer. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

You can read the Book of Mormon online at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng 

To receive a free physical copy go to: churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/requests/free-book-of-mormon

Here is a link to the Book of Mormon app on iOS and Android: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/mobile-applications/book-of-mormon-app?lang=eng

Fortifying Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in Jesus Christ is under attack today. There are many voices trying to convince us that what we know in our hearts to be true is false. However intellectually attractive these arguments may sound to our minds, they do not carry to our hearts the confirming witness of the Spirit. 

Obedience to God's commandments and daily scripture study will protect us against "the fiery darts" of the adversary with "the shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16).

It is easy for us to think that once we have firm faith in Jesus Christ, we will retain it indefinitely with little additional effort. However faith, once obtained, must be constantly nourished. "[Even] great faith has a short shelf life" (Eyring, Henry B., "Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady," Ensign, Nov. 2005, https://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/11/spiritual-preparedness-start-early-and-be-steady?lang=eng).

Maintaining and strengthening faith in a world of declining moral values, requires us to nourish it daily through gospel study and application. This point is reinforced by a modern prophet, Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the Mormon Church). 

"To gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures" (Thomas S. Monson, "Be an Example and a Light," October 2015 General Conference; https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/be-an-example-and-a-light?lang=eng ).

This message is also echoed by the Apostle Paul: "Faith cometh by hearing . . . the word of God" (Romans 10:17), and by the Savior himself: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).

A prophet in ancient America had an experience that can be ours on a daily basis: "As [Lehi] read [the scriptures] he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord" (Book of Mormon:1 Nephi 1:12).

In conclusion, I wish to add my witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Holy Son of God. He came to earth to show us the way to return to our heavenly home. He atoned for our sins, so that we could repent and be clean again. He died on the cross and was resurrected, so that we can live again. He did all of this because of His love for us. I witness that as we read His word and live His commandments, we will have true happiness in this life and return to live with God again as families.

Link to the online Book of Mormon: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

For a free copy of the Book of Mormon, click here: https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

Before Reading Scriptures, Pray for Heavenly Help

The scriptures were given to us by "holy men of God [who] spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost" (1 Peter 1:21). Therefore, they are best understood as we pray for the Spirit to guide us when we read them. As is said in Preach My Gospel, "Your gospel study is most effective when you are taught by the Holy Ghost. Always begin your gospel study by praying for the Holy Ghost to help you learn."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a modern-day Apostle put it this way:

"Recently I was asked about how I prepare myself to receive answers to my prayers for guidance. We receive personal revelation in different ways, but we should each live so that the Spirit is always with us.

"I start my day very early—not because I am ambitious, but because I am old (after a while, you just can’t sleep anymore). I first bow my head and pray that the Spirit will teach me. This is a simple prayer, like one offered before a meal because that is what I am doing. I ask for nourishment from what I am about to partake. Then I study the scriptures.

"Throughout my day, impressions come at various times and in various ways. I am blessed by the guidance of the Spirit. It is a precious blessing to “always have His Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77)" (Dallin H. Oaks, Google+ post, Dec. 22, 2015). 

Book of Mormon Writers Could See Our Day

The Book of Mormon writers, through revelation, could see our day. Accordingly, their inspired writings strengthen us against the temptations and tribulations of our day. 

The Prophet Moroni wrote the following:

"Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing" (Mormon 8:35).

"I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved" (Ether 8:26). 

These verses illustrate why a modern-day prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote the following. 

“The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1975, 64).

“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. … When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

The Book of Mormon was given to us to bless and strengthen us in our day and circumstances. I witness that reading the Book of Mormon daily will fortify us to remain faithful and true, so that we can lay claim to the Lord's blessings.

Link to the online Book of Mormon: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

For a free copy of the Book of Mormon, click here: https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

Read the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I love all scripture, but I have a special love for the Book of Mormon. It is the most powerful witness of Jesus Christ and His divinity in all scripture. A sampling of the witness of Christ in the Book of Mormon is shown below:

“…We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).

“…We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

“,,,I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17).

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. (Alma 7:11-13)

To strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, read, study and ponder the words of the Book of Mormon, along with the Bible. They are two powerful witnesses of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can read the Book of Mormon online at: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

To receive a free copy, go to: https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon