The majority of people know the bible. Lots of great stories like Noah and Jericho. Oh man, when the walls came a tumblin’ down it gets me right in the feels.
So, why do Mormons feel like they need the Book of Mormon?
It’s a good question. I guess the best answer is that when you have truth you can’t get enough of it, but that sounds sort of corny… so why do I need the book of Mormon?
I went through a period of non-faith earlier this year (I’d prefer to call it a period of non-hope, but hope and faith are linked). I felt like God had let us down, that faith was useless. Every time I heard church leaders say that if you have faith you’ll get blessings I would roll my eyes and want to walk away.
This year we are studying the Book of Mormon in our Sunday School class.
I have started to look at it with new eyes. More like a book that has something to tell me, more than an honored book of scripture.
After all, it is just a book. Sure, it might be true but it’s a book. I wanted to read it like a book this time.
I’ve read the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon about nine million times. I think most Mormons have.
But this time they really struck me. The first few chapters are about a family. A family with few boys who are fighting who have to do a hard thing. Nephi is the “good one” and keeps getting picked on by his brothers (frankly, I would likely have picked on him too, I’m not usually a fan of a goodie two shoes”).
Lehi (the dad) was asked by God to leave where they lived and move into the middle of nowhere.
And his wife murmmered. She was tired of having too much asked of her. She’s tired of fighting kids and having to move.
Then, the kids have to go back and get something, it’s a big fat mess and it takes them too long. And she murmmers some more.
Essentially, this is a book about my life.
- Fighting kids — check
- Husband asking us to do things that I might not want to do — check
- Murmmering wife — check
The first story in the Book of Mormon is a story about family, and how hard it can be to have a family when you have outside pressures.
It was written for our day. God knew it would be hard for families right now.
Are things tough for your family?
Read the book.
{You can get it for free here, or you can download it free for your kindle.}
I’m not saying that you need to read the book expecting angels to come down and speak to you. I’m saying you should read the book because it’s about families having a tough time. Read it like a book and see if you like it. I think you’ll see the draw that I have towards the book. I, personally, have a testimony that the book is true.
At the end of the book, Moroni asks you to ask God if it is true. I have, and I really feel like it is.
Now, in order to comment about this post I do require that you have READ THE BOOK. The whole thing, or at least the vast majority of the book. I won’t hide that I am biased towards the book. It’s taught me lots of valuable lessons in my life. I’m grateful for it. What do you think?
If you liked this post be sure to sign-up for my newsletter. And READ the book! 🙂
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