One Sunday morning early in 1983, I got up, showered, dressed up and had breakfast. Since my friends were out of town I was compelled to break the routine schedule. As I thought about what to do, I reluctantly picked up the Book of Mormon, which had lain in my room for nearly two years, and walked out the door. I went over to a railroad line outside the township, sat down, and began reading. During that time my English comprehension was very limited. As I got inside the Book of Mormon, I would start dozing, but I would go back and re-read Joseph Smith `s testimony. I felt a good impression as I continued reading the Joseph Smith testimony. Although my reading and comprehension of the contents in the Book of Mormon were limited then, I felt the echoes of a familiar sound.
In the proceeding weeks and months, as I continued reading, I saw things much more clearly. I felt such a burning desire to continue reading. What I didn’t know then is that the Book of Mormon carries a certain spirit, which is part of conversion process -conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. I felt a familiar sound. The words were soothing to me-and more than that, I felt the reality of what I was reading. It was as if somewhere I had experienced this feeling of excessive joy before, somewhere in a distant, but still very real past.
One of the passages which touched me was an account in third Nephi of Jesus Christ `s appearance to the Nephites. I was touched about how the Savior had come down and reached out lovingly to the surviving people of the Nephites. I felt the comfort and peace they might have felt as He let them thrust their hands into His side and feel the nail prints. I marveled that He had come to comfort the Nephites who had gone through such upheaval:
“And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth: for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:9-14.)
“And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth: for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world”
These words flowed with a warmth feeling, enlightened my mind. I felt close to the Lord Jesus Christ, I felt though as I was among those whom the Savior had retrieved from the human heap of despair. This knowledge and experience gave me a calm sense of worth. I was discovering the simple good news of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon, with the echoes of familiar sound has helped me make lasting change which required strong commitment to a future vision of myself and my posterity. This is one reason why I am compelled to write this article.
As you take time to read the Book of Mormon, you will be capable of thinking anew and acting anew as you get in touch with the basic assumptions and deeply held inner values, in realizing who you are. You will discover as I have discovered over the years that your whole being will undergo some sort of transformation. You will know for yourself that the Book of Mormon is exactly what it says it is. I am convinced that the teachings from this book will lead you closer to God than any other literary work.
Invitation:
I extend an invitation to you, who are reading this message, to read the Book of Mormon and experience what I and millions of people throughout the world have experienced. To those who have read and stopped or those who read casually, I invite you to fully immense yourself in the Book of Mormon. The best way of doing this, is applying President Howard W. Hunter `s counsel:
“It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference” (Ensign November 1979.)
“It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing. Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference”
I share Nephi `s promise in the Book of Mormon: “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3.) President Marion G. Romney captured it well in defining how the Book of Mormon will bless us in our homes and in our individual lives: “I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope and charity-the pure love of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p.67.)
“Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do”
“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope and charity-the pure love of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness”
I know that the Book of Mormon echoes a familiar sound to all those who will take time to read it. It is the word of God. It has drawn me close to my Father in Heaven and helped me feel the love which the Savior Jesus Christ has for me through His atonement. Will you read the Book of Mormon and make it your lifelong pursuit? I promise you that you will find peace, comfort and the true meaning and purpose of this life.