Sunday Sayings....

Sunday Sayings...

This weekend was Stake Conference, which was so inspiring that I decided to write about it and start putting my thoughts on here as my "Sunday Sayings". 

This year's new theme is this:  "The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, a man will get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." - The Prophet Joseph Smith, Introduction to the Book of Mormon.

Pres. Hinckley said, "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."

Pres. Benson said, "There are three great reasons why Latter-day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit.

The first is that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.  The second great reason why we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study is that it was written for our day. The third reason is that it helps us draw nearer to God."

Pres. Monson said, "I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives."

Pres. Nelson asked us three questions about the Book of Mormon:
1.  What would your life be without this book? 
2.  What would you not know? 
3.  What would you not have?
I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day....We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it."

As I sat and listened to the many talks on the Book of Mormon today and about how they gained a testimony of this great book, I couldn't help but reflect on my own experience.  Throughout my life, I have had experiences that strengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon that are not the lightening bolt experiences, but experiences nonetheless.  One year I decided to take notes on each chapter - something that stood out to me on that chapter - and to this day I love looking over that journal and I can remember the feelings I had and the knowledge I gained that year.  Each time I read and study this book I feel the spirit so strong that I want to shout it from the roof top for everyone to hear.  I liken this excitement to  whenever I sew a new bag or purse.....every time I finish one I am so excited and just love it and I think that I could never make one cuter than that one.  Then I make another one and I am so excited and just love it and I think that I could NEVER make one cuter than that one.  The excitement goes on and on each time I make a new one.  This is how it is with the Book of Mormon.  Each time I read and study it I am so excited and touched by the spirit and I think that I could never have this feeling again. Then I read it again and again and the feeling keeps coming back.  So much so that I want to shout from the roof top for all the world to hear that it really is true and all the promised blessings of reading are there waiting for us to receive them.  There is, undeniably, a strong spirit in those words!

So, I ask you....How has the Book of Mormon changed or affected your life?