The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of JESUS CHRIST

At the beginning of October 2018, the president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, issued a challenge to members of the Church (specifically the women) to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. The Book of Mormon is 531 pages of dense writing, with many obscure biblical references, difficult historical concepts, and deep spiritual lessons. It also a book with many inspiring people, miraculous events, and some crazy stories. For someone who reads as much as I do, one would think I could easily read through this book in just a week or two. But no. I had attempted to read the Book of Mormon in three months multiple times before, and had failed miserably, giving up before I was even halfway though. But this was the first time my prophet had asked me to, and I really wanted to succeed!

Along with reading the book in its entirety before 2019, President Nelson also encouraged us to specifically look for verses of scripture that talked about Jesus Christ and mark them, to help us learn more about our Savior to draw closer to him. With these challenges in mind, I calculated how many pages I needed to read a day to finish in time, and chose a lovely green/yellow marking pencil to mark all the scriptures that taught me about Christ.

As I was marking scriptures about Christ, I realized that in purpose and action and character (but not body), God and Christ are ONE. So I also began marking all the scriptures that taught me about my Heavenly Father as well. And here are some of the most common themes I found in the Book of Mormon, the characteristics and actions that appeared the most.

GOD and CHRIST:

• Are a LIGHT in the dark
• Heal
• Protect their faithful
• Love ALL perfectly, no matter what
• Strengthen us
• Destroy the wicked
• Are peace
• Keep their promises/covenants, always
• Forgiving
• Answer our prayers
• Are LOVE
• Guide us
• Require faith and obedience
• Bless and prosper the obedient
• Judge
• Are merciful
• Abhor and forsake sin
• Redeem
• Love the little children
• Are pure
• Empower and enlighten
• Create
• Give second (and third, and fourth...) chances
• Teach
• Are all-knowing and all-powerful
• Suffered FOR US

This list could go on and on. I learned so much about my Savior while reading the Book of Mormon. I found that reading with such a wonderful purpose gave me more strength to read. When I have read the scriptures in the past, it was so easy for my mind to wander. I loved reading with a purpose and intent to learn, and I feel like I understand my Savior more. I feel like it also helped me to develop better gospel study habits so that I've been able to go into 2019 strong.

If you are interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon or the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-Day saints, you can visit mormon.org :)