You know the problem with the Book of Mormon?
It’s over 500 pages.
In a world that has perfected and glorified the sound byte, nurturing new levels of ADD-behavior in even normal people, this is a pesky problem.
That means it takes intentional effort to really mine the gold that’s in those pages. But I second Moroni’s solid opinion that if you put in that effort and ask God about what you’re reading, your effort won’t be wasted.
There are different levels of engagement:
Perhaps you’ve never read the Book of Mormon or maybe tried once - sounded too hard - what is with these “And It Came to Passes”? True quote: this book would be a pamphlet without them.
Perhaps you read it in seminary, and liked it depending on whether you liked your teacher.
You mean to read it every four years when the Church at large reads it in Sunday School. You might even read a little more than 1st Nephi - which mysteriously always shows up at the same time New Year’s Resolutions do. You enjoy Sunday School class about it, and by December have somewhat, semi read SOME of some of the lessons. Ish.
You might have participated in various Book of Mormon challenges to read the entire book in a year, or half a year, or even a month. You might have even completed the challenge, with varying degrees of results.
You read the Book of Mormon every year, perhaps even following a calendar to keep you on track.
You’re always reading the Book of Mormon - beginning again the day after you read Moroni’s compelling invitation to see if this book isn’t all that it says it is.
Moving through these levels of engagement was a frightening, sporadic, remarkable journey for me which took nearly 50 years of my life.
In 2005 our stake had a challenge to read the Book of Mormon the first six months of the year. They printed a schedule to keep us on track - roughly 3 1/2 pages a day. I was in the midst of another self-discipline project at that time, and actually felt up for the challenge. I can do 3 1/2 pages a day.
I loved it so much, I began again in July, and read the Book of Mormon twice that year.
And the next.
And the next until 2019. That’s the year I slowed down and started daily study to make room for other things.
I was hooked. One year - I even snuck in a third reading the month of July with someone who has become an everlasting friend because of the shared project.
In Alma 5:45-46, Alma teaches his people:
“…Do ye not suppose that I know of these things of myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.”
There’s a price to be paid to fall in love with the Book of Mormon: time. Well. Time and effort. Intellectual and spiritual engagement. The price Alma testifies of is worth paying: how much do I really want to know what’s in this book?
And let me tell you something fascinating: it was about the same time I was immersing myself in the twice yearly treks through this amazing spiritual tome that I became interested in current affairs and government. I began to study the founding of our country, and the principles of liberty. Then I began teaching them and writing about them.
When people ask me how I got interested in politics my answer surprises them: I got serious about the Book of Mormon.
I now read the Book of Mormon all the time, because we’re living in it.
It’s a book about human nature and its cycles in the lives of individuals, families, and nations.
Those cycles highlight the consequences of individuals and nations living God’s law - and the consequences when that law is rejected. The cycles and consequences play out the same Every. Single. Time.
But its name says the most important thing about this book. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ - taking its place beside the Old and New Testaments of the Bible to witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
When you’re used to sound bytes, this book is steep.
At first.
But as my former stake president loved to teach our youth - it’s a lot like eating M&M’s. You might nibble a few if here’s a jar sitting out.
But you kind of can’t stop. If you’re willing to engage in the climb.
Go see what’s in there. The people who live in those pages are ordinary… extraordinary people. Their encounters with Jesus Christ are an incredible guide to how to have our own encounters with the greatest agent for sustainable change the world will ever know.
I am a converted lifelong fan. And here I go again. Won’t you join me?
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