How to Read the Book of Mormon

      I was fortunate enough to grow up with the Book of Mormon in my home my whole life. I have read it through a few times and there have been many things that I have learned from it. It has changed my life as I have studied it more throughly and it has brought me closer to God. The Book of Mormon can and will bring anyone closer to God that puts in the effort to read it.

 

      The Book of Mormon can be a confusing book to those who have been barely introduced to it. It might be hard to understand at first but I promise God will bless anyone with understanding as they put forth that effort. But recently, an Apostle of the Lord wrote an article entitled "How to Study the Book of Mormon."   http://lds.org/ensign/2011/10/how-to-study-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng&query=conversion+book+mormon

   The more key part I would like to touch on is how he says the Book of Mormon is written for our day. Elder D. Todd Christofferson says:

  "The Book of Mormon authors wrote with future generations in mind, specifically the latter days. In abridging the Nephite records, Mormon said he could not include “even a hundredth part.”  Moroni commented, “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). These two authors and others, acting under inspiration, wrote what would be of greatest benefit to us in these latter days.

We should therefore study with these questions in mind: “Why was this included? How does this apply today and to me?” President Benson observed, for example, that in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming. We learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war, deal with persecution and apostasy, do missionary work, and respond to the dangers of materialism.² As Nephi did, when we study, we should “liken” the scriptures to ourselves—that is, try to discover how to apply what we find in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 19:23)."

     Likening every scripture that we read and asking those questions given by Elder Christofferson will help us all understand the Book of Mormon. It will free our minds more so that the Holy Ghost can teach us. Then we will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is a record that God has given us. There will be no doubt in our minds if the record is true or not!

Dare to be a Mormon!

    What a wonderful opportunity to hear from a prophet of the Lord this last weekend! President Monson gave a great example as to how to be couragous and stand up for our beliefs. I hope and pray that we all may follow the example that President Monson gave and "Dare to be a Mormon!" It is not always easy, and we may face opposition at times but the Lord wants us to be part of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.

   

 "Navy boot camp was not an easy experience for me, nor for anyone who endured it. For the first three weeks I was convinced my life was in jeopardy. The navy wasn’t trying to train me; it was trying to kill me.

     I shall ever remember when Sunday rolled around after the first week. We received welcome news from the chief petty officer. Standing at attention on the drill ground in a brisk California breeze, we heard his command: “Today everybody goes to church—everybody, that is, except for me. I am going to relax!” Then he shouted, “All of you Catholics, you meet in Camp Decatur—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!” A rather sizeable contingent moved out. Then he barked out his next command: “Those of you who are Jewish, you meet in Camp Henry—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!” A somewhat smaller contingent marched out. Then he said, “The rest of you Protestants, you meet in the theaters at Camp Farragut—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!”

    Instantly there flashed through my mind the thought, “Monson, you are not a Catholic; you are not a Jew; you are not a Protestant. You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!” I can assure you that I felt completely alone. Courageous and determined, yes—but alone.

     And then I heard the sweetest words I ever heard that chief petty officer utter. He looked in my direction and asked, “And just what do you guys call yourselves?” Until that very moment I had not realized that anyone was standing beside me or behind me on the drill ground. Almost in unison, each of us replied, “Mormons!” It is difficult to describe the joy that filled my heart as I turned around and saw a handful of other sailors.

     The chief petty officer scratched his head in an expression of puzzlement but finally said, 'Well, you guys go find somewhere to meet. And don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!'”

(President Thomas Monson)