The Book of Mormon and How it Can Affect Our Lives

{This was my Relief Society Lesson I taught last week}
I am very excited for this year in Sunday school to Study the Book of Mormon.  For the last couple of weeks I have felt impressed that this is what my lesson should be on.  Three of the articles in the Ensign this month are about the Book or Mormon, one is called “The Book or Mormon and Gods plan for us” by Elder Stanley Ellis and the other one is called “Finding Answers in the Book of Mormon” by Sara Smith.  and then also article called “Children Delight in the Book of Mormon” that talks about a Book of Mormon Exhibit for children at the Church History Museum.  I am really excited to take my kids to that!Then I went and bought the October 2011 Ensign, Our subscription had ended and I hadn’t seen it…After looking through it’s pages I was wowed. If you don’t have it you can read from it here.
Does anyone remember President Hinckley’s Challenge given in August 2006, to Finish the book of Mormon by the end of the year.

He said, “We studied the Book of Mormon in Sunday School this past year. Nonetheless I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon. If you will read a bit more than one and one-half chapters a day, you will be able to finish the book before the end of this year. Very near the end of its 239 chapters, you will find a challenge issued by the prophet Moroni as he completed his record nearly 16 centuries ago. Said he: “And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? . . . “And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true” (Moroni 10:27, 29).

Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”

Leading up to hearing that talk, I had probably read the whole standard works…maybe from being in seminary and young womens, but hadn’t really had a time when I just read the book of Mormon in a certain amount of time.  I had just had my son that year, we had moved from California for two months and then back to Orem and then down to Saint George.  I had ALL sorts of excuses to not “be able” to do it.  But it kept pressing on my mind that I NEEDED to for my family and for me.  It got to be about November and I decided I was going to do it.  I got it on CD and followed along with it, underlining and just enjoy the peace of reading and listening to the Book of Mormon.  I remember finishing it and feeling so peaceful and grateful that I did. 
I have been thinking a lot lately about what the Book of Mormon has done for me in my life and what I can learn from it’s pages.  I started thinking why? Why so much about the Book of Mormon in the last couple of months?  Here are a few reason I came up with from numerous talks that I have read.

In the first article in the ensign  by President Monson called “Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon” it says…
  “From the Book of Mormon come other precious promises, including promises of peace, freedom, and blessings if we “will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).
From its pages comes the promise of “never-ending happiness” to “those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual” (Mosiah 2:41).
From its pages comes the promise of “incomprehensible joy” to those who become “instrument[s] in the hands of God” in rescuing His precious sons and daughters (Alma 28:8; 29:9).
From its pages comes the promise that scattered Israel will be gathered—a work in which we are engaged through our great worldwide missionary efforts (see 3 Nephi 16; 21–22).
From its pages comes the promise that as we pray unto the Father in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our families will be blessed (see 3 Nephi 18:21).
From a study of its pages comes the fulfillment of the prophetic promise that “there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”
And from the pages of the Book of Mormon comes Moroni’s promise that through prayer, real intent, and faith in Christ, we may know the truth of these promises “by the power of the Holy Ghost” (see Moroni 10:4–5).

Wow, after reading all those promises why would I not want to read from it’s pages and find incomprehensible joy, never-ending happiness and have an added measure of the spirit in my home. 
#2 We can learn more about God plan for our lives…
In the talk “The Book of Mormon and God’s Plan for Us” by Elder Ellis Says…

“Nowhere in scripture is God’s plan more clearly defined and taught than in the Book of Mormon.”
One of the common themes of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that God has a plan. It is described with various names reflecting its various parts—the plan of happiness, the plan of mercy, the plan of redemption, the plan of salvation (see Alma 42:5–31). 

He says…

“Let’s examine the Book of Mormon for some practical implications of God’s plan for our daily living, looking for ways to “liken [it] unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23).
For example, God has a plan for prayer—He asks us to “pray always”
God has a plan for scripture reading—we need to study the scriptures every day. As Nephi said, “Feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3). Some of us don’t like to read or have a hard time understanding scriptural language or would rather spend our time in other pursuits. The Lord’s plan, however, is that we read the scriptures daily.
God has a plan for family home evening—through His prophets, He encourages us to hold family home evening each week (see 3 Nephi 18:21; Mosiah 1:4; 4:14–15). This is not easy when family members have conflicting schedules. Some family members may not cooperate, but God’s plan is that we hold family home evening each week.
The Lord has a plan for worshipping Him—we are spiritually strengthened as we attend our meetings every Sunday. If we have to work Saturday night, we may feel tired. At times we may be frustrated with some ward members, teachers, or leaders. We may not have a ride or money for the subway or bus. The Lord’s plan, however, is that we go—even if we have to walk. The effort to attend weekly is part of the sacrifice the Lord expects of us (see Mosiah 13:16–19; 18:25; D&C 59:9).
God has a plan for service—each of us needs to serve in the Church and do our best to magnify our callings. The Church of Jesus Christ is not a church of spectators; it is a church of workers. We may not enjoy certain callings, we may feel incapable, or we may think we have done our part and deserve a rest. But God’s plan is that we serve Him by serving others (see Mosiah 2:17). As we serve Him, we come to know Him (see Mosiah 5:13).
The Lord has a plan for tithing—each of us is expected to pay a full tithing. We live in difficult times, and some of us are having a hard time financially. We may think that paying tithing would be easier if we were better off, but God’s plan is that each of us be a full-tithe payer regardless of our circumstances (see 3 Nephi 24:10). By paying our tithing, we give the Lord an opportunity to bless us materially and strengthen us spiritually.
God has a plan for fast offerings—each month we have an opportunity to fast and donate a fast offering to help the poor (see Mosiah 4:26). This wonderful plan blesses the needy as well as those who fast and make an offering. It is so much better than all of the world’s plans.
God has a plan for missions—every able young man should serve a mission. Some young men do not want to work that hard or would rather get married, go to college, get a job, or do nothing. But God’s plan is that every young man who is physically and mentally capable prepare himself to serve a mission. Many young women choose to serve also. We have personally witnessed the blessings of having our sons and our daughters serve missions. The Lord needs senior couples as missionaries too.
God has a plan for marriage—after a mission, the next step is temple marriage. Some young people don’t feel ready for the responsibility of marriage, or they think they cannot get married because they don’t have a house or a car or a job or a degree. Remember that Nephi was living in a tent and was no longer enjoying his family’s former wealth when the Lord sent him and his brothers back to Jerusalem so that they could take the daughters of Ishmael to wife (see 1 Nephi 2:4; 7:1–5; 16:7).
God has a plan for families—“The family is ordained of God” and is “central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”2 Children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a lot of work, but they are worth it. With our nine children we have learned that the work and challenges of family life are nothing compared to the joy that comes from having a posterity. Some couples may think they can’t afford children or that they cannot love or care for more than a few. There are many plans, but God’s plan is that we exercise the faith necessary to marry and welcome children into our home. The Book of Mormon—an account of families, from Lehi’s to Mormon’s—is replete with examples and teachings for parents and children.
The Lord has a plan for the temple—He expects us to worship in the temple regularly. President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) urged us to make the temple the symbol of our membership in the Church.3 He and other latter-day prophets have counseled us to have a current temple recommend even if we cannot attend the temple. Sometimes we feel unworthy or don’t have the means to go to the temple, or we rationalize that we will go tomorrow, next week, or next month. There are many plans, but the Lord’s plan is that we have a current temple recommend and use it often. When the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites, He came to the temple (see 3 Nephi 11:1–10). We too can feel close to Him in the temple.”

This year as I study the scriptures I want to find these “plans for our lives” in the pages.  I had never really thought about how Gods plan is shown to us in the pages of the Scriptures.

#3- The book of Mormon Teaches about the Love of God and how to be more like him. 

In this article in the Ensign by Elder Nelson it says….
“In these latter days we who are privileged to have the Book of Mormon, to be members of the Lord’s Church, to have His gospel, and to keep His commandments know something of God’s infinite love. We know how to make His love our own. As we become His true disciples, we gain the power to love as He does. As we keep His commandments, we become more like Him. We broaden our personal circle of love in reaching out to people of every nation, kindred, and tongue.

With profound gratitude for His exemplary life, we can make this scripture our standard: “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons [and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (Moroni 7:48).5”

To Know Is to Know Love

“I am a new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to me the Book of Mormon is not just a book. It is solid proof that Heavenly Father loves us. It is proof that earlier Saints loved us and wanted us to come home. It is proof that God’s plan of happiness exists and is perfect.

To know that this book is true is to know that Heavenly Father and His Son live. It is to know that life is beautiful and eternal. It is to know that as long as you keep trying to be your best and repent when you fall, then you will always be forgiven. It is to know the true meaning of family. It is to know that you will never lose a loved one, as he or she waits for you. It is to know the blessings of Heavenly Father. It is to know the comfort that whatever storms come your way, you can face them, as they are for your benefit. It is to know the Holy Ghost is your constant companion. In essence, it is to know love in all its expressions.”

It is proof of his love for us…amazing proof that he is there, that he cares and will be there when we struggle, when we need his help the most.  But that he is also there for us daily in our lives no matter what we are going through!

#4 The Book of Mormon Strengthens our faith in Jesus Christ
Elder Neil L Anderson says…”We need our own secure and settled faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we need help in strengthening our families so that this faith flows into the hearts of our children and grandchildren. Faith in Jesus Christ, when solidly anchored in our souls, brings true conversion, and in its wake come repentance, honest discipleship, miracles, spiritual gifts, and enduring righteousness. This is an important part of the divine mission of the Book of Mormon.

#5 Great Power can come from memorizing scriptures.
Elder Scott says, “To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. “
A scripture I think about on a weekly basis is D&C 6:36 “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”  I remember small little moments in my life when I was in a situation and words from a scripture came into my mind and I felt comforted and strengthened in a hard situation.

Elder Scott went on to say…
“Pondering a scripture like that gives great direction to life. The scriptures can form a foundation of support. They can provide an incredibly large resource of willing friends who can help us. A memorized scripture becomes an enduring friend that is not weakened with the passage of time. Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing.
Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life.”

I am grateful for my “friendship” that I have with the scriptures,and hope to strengthen that friendship.  I KNOW they are true. I hope to better my study of the scriptures so that I can become closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ and try to become more like him. It is true what he says about how “Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life.” Even just reading a few verses a day brings peace into my life and help me through my days!

I am linking up to the Book of Mormon Forum here at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ.