Answering the Question Why Read the Book of Mormon

At the World Wide Training two weeks ago, President Uchtdof made an estute observation:  “When we focus on the why of the gospel, much of the confusion fades away.” 

I decided to put President Uchtdorf’s advice to the test at a family home evening, and I asked my kids “why should be read the Book of Mormon?” 

There answers were amazing to me.  

·         Kami:  BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN COMMANDED TO DO IT

·         Nick:  TO GIVE US GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION IN LIFE; TO TEACH IUS

·         Amber:  TO LEARN OF JESUS CHRIST AND GAIN FAITH IN HIM;TO LIFT US UP WHEN WE ARE DOWN OF HAVE HAD A BAD DAY

·         Allie:  GIVE US A MORE SOUND UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE;  TO COMFORT US 

·         From Kelli in India:  I read the Book of Mormon to become closer to my savior, Jesus Christ, to increase my knowledge and strengthen testimony of the gospel. I read to learn attitudes, principles, and behaviors to live by that will help me to improve myself and prepare me for new challenges in this life and the next. Studying the Book of Mormon daily helps me to keep an optimistic perspective and stay focused on what is truly important in life. It helps me remember the covenants I made at baptism to always remember Christ and to represent him every where I go and in everything I do. It helps me to stay strong and solid through adversity and to remember that I always have a reason to be happy.

·         From Ty, on his way back from San Deigo:  The Book of Mormon is known as "The Keystone of Our Religion"; and for good reason, too.  As I read the Book of Mormon, I find insights, and other treasures of knowledge that I have never previously thought about.  I truly do love the Spirit of God that I can feel so strongly in my life as I read the book of Mormon.  It is a blessing that is cannot be compared to any other.  When I have to Spirit in my life to help me and guide my decisions, things just go smoother; and that's just the way it is. 

So, why to I read the Book of Mormon?  Because it makes me a better person, strengthens my testimony, increases my love and appreciate for my Savior,  it increases my desire to be who I should be for myself and my family, and because, I just feel really good when I read it.  

I love this Blog. Thanks, Ty for setting it up.  Let's all add to it!!  Love, Dad

My Lesson in Sunday School

This last week I had the great opportunity of preparing a lesson for sunday school that covered the chapters 16-19 in the first book of Nephi.  Although there were many different things that I learned in the process of teaching and preparing this lesson, there was one scripture which I particularly enjoyed when I read it, and I wanted to share it with you all.  It's found in 1 Nephi 17:3.  It reads: "And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and ^astrengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did ^bprovide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.".  This verse is particularly significant to me for several reasons, but probably the most outstanding reason is how I came to know of a surety that the principle taught by this verse is true.  As many of you remember, when I got home from my mission, it was not an easy thing; in fact, it was probably one of the hardest times of my life!  But as many of you also know, I was able to recover from my trial in a miraculous way.  I can truly testify to you all with every fiber of my being that I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that he truly will "strengthen and nourish [us]" when we are in need of his help.  All that it takes is a simple prayer to our loving Father in Heaven. He is waiting to bless us.  Of these things I want to testify to you all, and leave these thoughts with you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.


Read the entire chapter here:
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/17?lang=eng

"And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd"

1 Nephi 22:24-28 -- Last night I read chapter 22 of 1 Nephi and was so moved because this weekend, I truly saw and felt the things I read about coming to pass. On Sunday, after a two hour drive to church, I was able to witness the dedication of the first chapel in Chennai, India. In Utah we take for granted something so simple as a new church meetinghouse, but here, these 3 small branches on the Southeast coast of India have been waiting 12 years for this building. The spirit in the meeting and especially in the dedicatory prayer was almost tangible. Over the last couple of weeks, when coming to church in Chennai, I have been so impressed by the organization, strength, and knowledge of our branch. It is amazing to see how consistent the church is, even in a 3rd world country 8,821 miles from home. In the dedicatory prayer, the president talked about the chapel being the most beautiful building in Chennai, and about how it would be a beacon to all those around it; that it would be strong, and be able to withstand both physical and spiritual adversity. When I heard these words, I thought about the members. They truly are the most beautiful people, because they emanate the light of Christ. They are strong because of their testimonies and their obedience and their faithfulness. They are able to "dwell safely" and be protected and watched over. They are a beacon and shine that light of Christ to all those they come into contact with, just like the chapel in Chennai. When we "sang" (yelled very spiritedly and very monotonously in the case of most of the congregation) The Spirit of God together to close the meeting, I felt such a oneness with the people of India. I felt that we were truly "one fold" and that Christ personally knew and loved every single one of us. I felt such a testifying spirit of the power of missionary work and of the truth and beauty of the scriptural prophecies that are being fulfilled in the latter days. It was such an incredible experience to see the gospel being spread to the four quarters of the earth and to take part in such a meaningful dedication for these people and to feel of their excitement and joy. I know that on Sunday afternoon, God was smiling down at the people of Chennai! :)

Kelli Ann Foster