The Book of Mormon; Why and How Elder Christopherson teaches three reasons why we should read the

Book of Mormon and then gives suggestions on how. WHY? 1. It is the keystone of our religion, of our witness of Christ, of our doctrine, and of our testimony. 2. It was written for our day. 3. It helps us draw nearer to God. Why I Read It I have found some other reasons why reading the Book of Mormon has been a blessing for me: * I have gained a testimony of Jesus Christ. * Has made me want to be good. * Examples of people in the Book of Mormon make righteousness seem possible. * Understanding of the Plan of Happiness. * Come to know the Savior betternot only that He is real, but what He is like. * Worldly distractions fall away, and I gain a clearer perspective of what matters. * Its comforting and familiar like an old friend. *Oft-read phrases come to my mind, bringing peace, comfort, guidance. *It invites the Spirit each daymaybe because it lets the Lord know I care. *When Im reading and studying regularly, I feel closer to the Lord. I love Him and I feel His love for me. My sister had this quote from Pres Kimball on our wall when we were in YW:
I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. 1

*When Im reading daily, I feel stronger in resisting Satan. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called the words of life (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

+++ Experienceonce when troubled, commitment to read first thing gave me strength and a miracle took place.

You will have the spirit of peace in your home 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 that counsel. 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. Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, April 1960, p.112 - p.113 HOW? The whole Ensign gives us reasons why. We know we should do it. Sometimes the question is how. How do I really study and not just read, how do I even find time, how do I remember to read, how do I understand it? Ill share some ways Ive read it and share the ways Elder C suggests. I read for the first time when 10. Primary, Pres Benson, consecutive club. When finished, what to do? Read it again. And again and again. Now it has become a habit. Elder C suggests new copy, marking verses referring to Savior, His ministry and mission. I once marked all the names of Christ. +++++++++++++I recently looked for attributes, and wrote about them May I suggest that you read it again and take a pencil, a red one if you have one, and put a little check mark every time there is a reference to Jesus Christ in that book. And there will come to you a very real conviction as you do so that this is in very deed another witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 44).

Our Day Next, Elder C says, it was written for our day, so we should ask, Why was this included? Who does this apply tome today? First time, I didnt like war chapters. Asked Mom why all those chapters were wasted if it was so hard to write on plates. Ive since come to love them as I find symbolism that applies to our day. For example, Lehonti. Stripling warriors. Eld C says in the Bof M we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. I love the chapters preceding Christs visit to America. As we read and recognize similarities to our day, well not be deceived. Another way he says we might study it is to occasionally read the entire book in a brief period of time. When Ive done itpowerful! Spent more time each day reading. He said it helps us grasp the sweep of its story and message. But generally, he says, its best to spend a certain amount of time each daywhich may mean sacrificeand not necessarily a certain number of verses or pages. He says to focus not just on reading, but on studying. Sis BeckI can be perfect in it for a year. Ways to Read Many ways to read. There have been times when Ive read a certain chapter over and over, because I needed the power that was in the words. Some of those have been. 2 Ne 4 or 9, 3 Ne 11 or 17, Mosiah 2, Alma 5, and Helaman 5. Sometimes I like to read by topic, using all the scriptures as well as the Topical Guide, to study a certain principle like faith or charity. When we did the Young Women virtue challenge, I enjoyed looking for examples of virtue throughout. It can be read cover to cover, or for those of us who keep getting bogged down by Isaiah, I heard someone say, why not start in Mosiah? By the time you get around to Nephi again, youll so much more comfortable with the language, and by then youll have a reading habit that Isaiah chapters wont be as likely to throw off! Most important, we must be consistent, and make it a daily thing, and we must not only read, but do our best to ponder as well. I feel a difference: reading and studying! I can read a page and not know what I read, but have dinner all planned. Doesnt do as much for me.

For me, studying means to really try to understand, even if it means cross-referencing the scriptures to better understand them, or using a dictionary. It also means taking time to think about how what Ive read actually applies to me. More than anything, I think to ponder means to ask questions! Helps to have a pencil. Family Scripture Study Family scripture study sometimes seems even harder to find time for, and yet we cant do without the blessings!! I was surprised years ago when I read what President Benson said: Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family. Individual scripture reading is important, but family scripture reading is vital. Reading the Book of Mormon together as a family will especially bring increased spirituality into your home and will give both parents and children the power to resist temptation and to have the Holy Ghost as their constant companion. I promise you that the Book of Mormon will change the lives of your family. ("To Mothers in Zion," Fireside for Parents, 22 February 1987)

For some little children, sitting still for a short scripture story each day is all they can handle. As they get more familiar with the stories and the language of the scriptures, their interest will grow. Often we wonder if it does any good. No one seems to be listening. But most important is our consistency. Elder Bednar said, Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons
understand the content of a particular lesson or a specific scripture was the ultimate outcome. But such a result does not occur each time we study or pray or learn together. The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lessona lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.

Elder C concluded by promising that the Book of Mormon will deepen our conversion. As Nephi testified, Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast to it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. 1 Ne 15: 24 And as Mormon said, the scriptures or word of God will lead a man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked.