Mormon 8:26–41 / 26 for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.
I’ve read the scriptures nearly every day of my life since my sixteenth birthday. That’s when President Gordon B. Hinckley challenged each member to read The Book of Mormon daily. I did it as an answer to a challenge and I know that I was blessed for the effort but truthfully my reading was only ever very topical. It wasn’t until recently that I began to truly feast upon the scriptures and now the more I do the more I need them, the more I love them, the more I find light, guidance and answers for my every day questions and needs.
President Benson taught: “The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. … Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).
The catalyst for change in my personal reading and testimony – when I came to know that The Book of Mormon is MY book (along with The Bible, The Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and every Conference Talk and Ensign/Liahona article) came one day when I was struggling hard to hear answers I KNEW were available but just couldn’t seem to access. I was praying and asking but I wasn’t getting answers. Finally I told my best friend about my struggle and she gave me a piece of sage advice she’d heard once upon a time from her Mission President. She relayed, ‘if you want to talk to Heavenly Father pray. But if you want to hear from Him read your scriptures.’
The simple sentence nearly blew my mind. I tried it then and there. I prayed and asked, cleared my mind and opened my scriptures. And there was my answer, bright and simple and clear as day. I’m sure I’d been taught that my whole life – the answers are in the scriptures – but I’d never really heard it in that way before. I’d never known it could be so simply and sweet applied to everything!
I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. It contains the records of peoples who lived, loved, laughed, cried, fought and died long before we did. Though the challenges of our day may appear to be different and more diverse than those of our predecessors, they were no less human than we are and it was no less of a challenge for them to turn their hearts to God than it is for us. We can and must search the scriptures to find help, comfort and direction from God for our lives. As we do we can each be given the precious gift of daily divine revelation. And we will see just how much our lives are similar to those who have already passed through this mortal experience. The Book of Mormon is for YOU and it is for me.
I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Image from LDS Media Library
I’m part gypsy, part homebody, all seeker of truth. I love my Heavenly Father, family and traveling. Auntie to Payton, Leah, Morgan, Macy, Gracie, Ainsley, Audrey, Norah, Quinn, Avery & Rhys.
I’ve traveled around the world. The place I want most to go now is back to my Father in Heaven.