Living The Book of Mormon ~

2 Nephi 31:20 " Wherefore , ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and  a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if you press  forward feasting upon the words of Christ and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I can't recall a time in my life when I didn't like to read. Through the years I have probably read 100's of books. My husband has almost band me from Deseret Book stores because I can't resist buying books. In our home we could open a book store with all of the books I have. I have personally read a vast majority of them. If you found one of my books you would find the corner of pages turned down, writing of thoughts and underlining of favorite passages or stories. Regretfully, my memory isn't as good anymore and I have read so many books I can't remember the really good ones. However, I do know one book that I treasure above all others and that is the BOOK Of MORMON. I have read the Book of Mormon countless times. I have marked passages, written thoughts and turned down corners of the pages in more than one copy of this wonderful book.

My love of the Book of Mormon began when I was around 13 years old. My parents had a Book of Mormon study group. They would meet at our home and from my room I could hear the record playing the chapters of the Book of Mormon.  During those meetings they would stop at times and discuss some of the teachings found within this marvelous book. I loved the stories from the Book of Mormon and I recall lying in my bed and thinking about Nephi and his brothers struggling and then how Lehi and Sariah would direct their children. Later on after having a family of my own; I discovered that the best child raising book was the Book of Mormon. There are so many lessons to learn. Just from the story of the Two Thousand Stripling Warriors one learns lessons of faith and courage. These young men were taught well by their Mothers. (Alma 53, 56-57).
Later on in my life I had the privilege of being called to teach early morning seminary for 4 years. I was very blessed to be able to teach from the Book of Mormon for two for those years. Getting up in the early morning to go to class was not my favorite thing to do; but I loved teaching and I loved the students and found myself loving those early morning moments.

Three years ago my husband and I were asked to participate in a Stake Youth program entitled: "Book of Mormon Live".

We were assigned the verses in the Book of Mormon starting in Heleman 8 through 3 Nephi. This was a very spiritual time for us as a couple. We had to study hard and prepare well for this event. We dressed in costumes for the time period of  the Book of Mormon. We taught 7 students in our tent. We had purchased some journals for the young men and women and we gave them some moments at the end of each session to journal their feelings. The spirit was  strong within the walls of that tent. We learned so much from one another and the spirit of the Holy Ghost. Tears were shed as we read the sacred passages from 3 Nephi  when the Savior of the World visited ancient America.

3 Nephi 17: 5-7 
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 in 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 compassion towards you.

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

3 Nephi:17: 21-25

 21 And when he had said these words, he wept and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed 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 encircled 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 hear 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.

 I loved the Book of Mormon challenge by President Hinckley a few years ago. I loved reading the Book of Mormon again and again since that challenge. I was excited to know that millions of members of the church had taken the commitment to read the Book of Mormon. I recently finished reading the Book of Mormon again and now I am going to take a free on line course on the Book of Mormon from BYU. Just today I bought a new inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon so I  can start turning the corners of the pages, marking my favorite scriptures and writing my moments of inspiration.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said the following:
"I love to read the scriptures, and I try to do so consistently and repeatedly. I love to quote from them, for they give the voice of authority to that which I say. I do not claim distinction as a scholar of the scriptures. For me, the reading of the scriptures is not the pursuit of scholarship. Rather, it is a love affair with the word of the Lord and that of his prophets. . "

Yes, I am going to have a love affair with the Book of Mormon again this year.

My Thankful Gifts ~
.Grateful for the scriptures
.Grateful for the Book of Mormon
.Grateful every verse I read in the scriptures
.Grateful to find Christ while studying the scriptures
.Grateful for Christ and his Atonement
.Grateful for hope in Christ
.Grateful for the peace I feel while reading the scriptures
.Grateful for prayers answered while reading the scriptures
.Grateful for the time to meditate and ponder on the scriptures
.Grateful for the parenting guide I have found within the scriptures
I am so grateful for all of the scriptures that we have to enjoy; the Bible, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The General Conference messages.
I am grateful for our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, the first presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
I am grateful for modern day revelation from a God that is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
I am grateful for the moments that I feel and have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with me.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

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