At the end of June our Bishop challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days!
{to do this you pretty much have to read about five pages a night!}
At that time we had finally made it Mosiah, because we were only reading a column a night.
I wasn't too eager to turn around and start back at 1 Nephi and forget the progress we had made, so we decided to accept the challenge but to continue from where we were and eventually loop back around by the end of 90 days!
So far, so good!! We've missed a night or two but the habit is forming. It's become part of our routine. It is expected.  A couple of Sunday's ago, a lesson was taught in Relief Society about the Blessings we are promised when we prayerfully and regularly read the Book of Mormon. It was simple. She had complied a list of the blessings, and read them aloud. But after she read the list, she read it again. Only this time, she read it as a list of "the blessings we would forgo by NOT reading the Book of Mormon." Blessings we are denying ourselves, and our children by NOT reading together: We will NOT become worthy to enter the Lords Kingdom. We will NOT receive eternal life. We will NOT gain a testimony that Jesus is the Christ. We will NOT be able to expose and combat falsehoods. We will NOT receive blessings hitherto unknown. We will NOT be lifted from condemnation. We will NOT know the fullness of the gospel. We will NOT be reading inspired words confirmed by angels.We will NOT be given evidence the scriptures are true. We will NOT be reading clear, undiluted, untainted, powerful words. We will NOT become nearer to God, by abiding by its precepts than by reading any other book. We will NOT draw nearer to God, and be more like Him. We will NOT feel His presence with us constantly. We will NOT feel the Spirit permeate our homes and all who dwell there. We will NOT feel the spirit of reverence increase in our homes. We will NOT have mutual respect and consideration for each other. We will NOT notice a decrease in contention. We will NOT be able to counsel our children in greater love and wisdom. We will NOT see our children become more responsive and submissive to their parents' counsel. We will NOT witness righteousness increase. We will NOT have an abundance of faith, hope, and charity in our homes, bringing peace, joy, and happiness in their wake. We will NOT have increased love in our home. We will NOT have increased harmony in our home. We will NOT understand true doctrine required for our salvation, and confound false doctrine. We will NOT see the enemies of Christ in their true form. We will NOT gain a greater testimony of the Bible. We will NOT increase our understanding of history and faith-promoting stories. We will NOT expose the errors and find truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men. We will NOT strengthen our discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit. We will NOT be fortified against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. We will NOT find comfort, counsel, guidance, and the quiet power to improve our lives. We will NOT hear the voice of the Lord to guide us in mortality. Sorry, I know this was intense. But, like I mentioned before, it is simply a list of the blessings we would receive (or not receive) depending upon our scripture reading. For me, this was powerful; this hit home. I want peace, joy, happiness, love, harmony and the Spirit dwelling in my home. I want an increase in understanding, of the gospel and scriptures for myself and my children. I want to be able to combat the evil around us. I want to draw closer to Heavenly Father and my children, also. We want to claim these blessings. So we will continue our challenge and finish by 90 days! I invite you to read The Book Of Mormon, also. Gain a testimony for yourself. Ask God. Hold Him to these promises as you draw closer to Him. Happy reading!! |
