The Book of Mormon

**If you haven't already seen it, click here to view the LDS church's new website. It is beautifully designed and all about the Savior--I love it.

I hate for this entry to feel like it's out of place in my blog (surrounded by more worldly and silly entries) but I feel compelled to share a bit of my testimony this afternoon. I taught Relief Society today from the Joseph Smith manual, ch. 4, on The Book of Mormon. I tried to focus the lesson on the fact that the book truly is the word of God meant for our benefit in the latter-days. We read several quotes from the prophet about The Book of Mormon being not only the keystone of our religion but a book that will draw us nearer to God, give us knowledge and enlightenment as well as comfort and cheer to the honest in heart.

I can honestly say that I love that book with all my heart. It truly is an anchor of solidarity in my life. That knowledge began at an early age through simple family scripture study--a great introduction to the stories and prophets and people in The Book of Mormon. And then, as a teenager, I embarked on a more serious path of discovery. I was 15 and felt like I was very ready. I had been praying for other things in my life which in turn, still didn't seem to be working out--especially in the ways I had hoped for. I wasn't really frustrated or losing faith by any means, just eager to find a way in which the Lord would show me that He did hear the prayers of the young, searching, teenage girl that I was. On the very first day of seminary that year, we read Moroni's promise at the end of The Book of Mormon. I hadn't really known that scripture existed before then but it was a lovely promise and made a lot of sense to me. That day, I decided to read the whole book, page by page, and then, once I was entirely finished, and had read Moroni's words once more at the end of my journey, I would follow through and pray earnestly to know if the book was true.

I remember the night I finished the book even though I am not sure how long it actually took me to get there. I sat on my bed, late at night and felt my heart beating faster as I approached chapter 10 of Moroni--the very end of the book. I started reading the highlighted section in my scriptures, verses 3-5, and the tears just started pouring down my face as the power of the Holy Ghost overwhelmed me. When I finished reading, I knelt down and prayed, knowing I had already received a powerful answer, and could only find words of gratitude and love to share with my Father in Heaven for revealing such a treasure to me. In the many years since then I have found the book to be an anchor, a refuge, a joy, a masterpiece and the best tool I have found for drawing me closer to my Savior.

For the RS lesson today, I asked 4 women to share their favorite scripture or passage from The Book of Mormon and then share with us why those words had been important to them. I love that when I asked them to do this earlier in the week, they all commented on how hard it would be to choose just one--so very true! But they each chose very personal and tender verses which related to their unique needs and situations. It made me want to share my favorite as well but I knew our time was too limited. So I am sharing it now :) It is actually almost an entire chapter but I could read it every day and feel the same love for my Savior and joy in His goodness time and time again. It is the 17th chapter of 3rd Nephi. The verses document the time when the resurrected Christ appeared to the Nephites and taught them face to face. The previous chapters cover much of Christ's pure doctrine, the Beattitudes, and many parables. But in chapter 17, He truly reveals Himself as the God of mercy and compassion that He is.

5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ^ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with ^acompassion towards you.

7 Have ye any that are ^asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or ^bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will ^cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your ^afaith is ^bsufficient that I should heal you.

9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ^ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did ^akiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their ^alittle children should be brought.

12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.

13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should ^akneel down upon the ground.

14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am ^atroubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.

15 And when he had said these words, he himself also ^aknelt upon the earth; and behold he ^bprayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The ^aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no ^atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the ^ajoy of the multitude that they were overcome.

19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And ^anow behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he ^awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and ^aencircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

25 And the multitude did see and ^ahear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.

The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it has taught me in many different ways that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I will love and worship Him all the days of my life.

I'd love to know what your favorite BofM scripture is too and why...if you feel like sharing :)