Wednesday, February 26, 2014

That one time I read the Book of Mormon in 11 days

This is a Longish story, but worth sharing.
Once upon a time the Missionaries were over for dinner. We were talking about reading. If you know me well, you know that I do no allow myself to read because I get too involved in books and I forget important things like feeding my kids and sleeping. This was exactly what I was explaining to the Elders. Then one of the said, "imagine if you read the Book of Mormon the same way." I replied, "I could probably do it in a week." And that's how it all started....
HOWEVER, you also know that I am the queen of procrastination. A long, long time went by. We challenged the young women to read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2013. I failed completely, and by failed I mean never even started. Yeah, not proud of that.
Anyways, new year, new start, I've got this. I committed myself to the task. Yes friends, you read the title correctly. I read the Book of Mormon in 11. Honestly, it was a good experience, but I will never ever do it again.
Most of it is a blur to me. I remember a few things here and there. I remember the familiar stories: Alma the younger, Nephi's adventures on land and sea, Ammon, the brother of Jared. A few verses here and there stood out to me. There was one that made me not feel bad about not understanding all the Isiah chapters. There were several mentions of pride and focusing on worldly treasures. I was impressed by the enthusiasm Ammon had as a missionary.
The events at the very end of the Book of Mormon really made me think. The Jaredites went to war and fought until EVERYBODY died. It made me so sad to read that. The Nephites and Lamanites also fought until the only righteous person left was Moroni. I cannot even imagine what life was like for him. Then I realized that as wicked and scary as the world is today, it's not quite yet the end. I worry for my children and what the future holds for them.
But the thing that stuck with me the absolute most was Moroni 10:32
"Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."
There are only two verses after this in the entire Book of Mormon, and it also happens to be this year's theme for the youth of the church. I know that this verse specifically was written for us, today.