In front of about two hundred young single adults gathered for worship service on a Sunday afternoon I suppressed the shyness I experience in front of crowds and shared the thought that “reading the Book of Mormon will bring a light and greater happiness into your life.” I was sharing some of the impressions I had distinctly felt after recently reading the book cover to cover in a short period of time.  The Book of Mormon is a volume of scripture and companion to the Bible for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called The Mormon Church).

About a year ago, I had read The Book of Mormon with greater urgency and focus than I ever had before, and I had noticed a number of significant changes while I read. I picked up the book and just dove in, reading as much as 30 pages a day, and as I read and turned from page to page, I noticed a change within myself. I had been feeling very stagnant in life, at work and in personal relationships things did not seem to be moving forward at all, and I felt very weighed down by this. The burdens I was carrying were being lifted layer by layer, almost as I turned the pages.

At 19, I served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in  Northeastern Brazil. I remember telling people often that the Book of Mormon was special and unique in how it “changes the lives of people.” I knew this was true, as I had read it prior to my mission and had experienced this change in my life from reading it. When I read it at 17 I felt more positive about what I could accomplish with my life and I felt more forgiving towards other people and people noticed this. But I had sort of assumed this was kind of a one-time event, during the first time you read it. Reading it with a renewed sense of urgency, at this very difficult time about 10 years after the first time I read it, opened my understanding to how the book can be useful at any period in life.

How does it change lives?

Some people may wonder why reading the book causes such significant changes. The full title of the book is “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe the Bible to be a Testament or witness of Jesus Christ and The Book of Mormon to accompany The Bible as an additional or another Testament of Jesus Christ. Through reading the Book of Mormon you come to a better understanding of who Jesus Christ is, why He is all-important and the purpose of His atoning sacrifice. It is through coming to a greater understanding and belief in Jesus Christ whose “burden is light” that problems dissipate and lives are changed.

The core of my belief

Shortly after the publication of Book of Mormon in 1830, early church members were often asked what distinguished them from other churches, and it always boiled down to the unique nature of the Book of Mormon. Similarly, as I think about my faith in God or try to explain my belief to friends and why I choose to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it always returns to The Book of Mormon. This understanding stems mostly from my own quiet study of the book accompanied with prayer, which gives me confidence that other sincere readers can have a similar experience.

Joseph Smith, who translated the Book of Mormon, stated that it is “The most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” I know that statement is true, from reading the book and feeling the improved understanding about God and his love for each person. I cannot understate what this book has meant to me as an individual and member of The Church of Jesus Christ. Reading it has lifted burdens and added valuable dimensions and insights to life, for which I am thankful.

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.”  As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.

In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.

In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America.  (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names.  We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)

Let us know if you’d like to receive your own copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.

Book of Mormon: Condemn It Not

Hey there,

This week in Book of Mormon we were studying the end of Mormon and beginning of Ether. While reading these in preparation for the class, I took note of Mormon’s ‘disclaimer’ found in verses 12 and 17 of chapter 8. They read “And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these…(12)…and if there be faults, they be the faults of man. (17)” Now let’s pair these with a verse from the previous chapter, namely chapter 7 verse 9; “for behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe…”

Though this is not quite the context that they were initially meant for them to be interpreted, these verses constructively provide an interesting insight. Especially when thought of in the realm of sacrament talks and other prepared lessons. What I took from it was that speakers, teachers, leaders, all of them mean the absolute best, and have prepared to teach and touch the souls of those they are reaching out to. Despite of human error or minor faux pas, their message is to be heard and humbly received, not to turn a blind eye based on past faults or small errors in their delivery. These lessons and talks were prepared by the Spirit of Inspiration and Revelation, and are to be taken as such. I hope this helps you and those around you through your example. We are all here to help one another through this mortal existence.

It seems as if in each age, more complications to life and everyday requirements are heaped upon us.

So, like many, I struggle with being overwhelmed.  I worry about my day, those around me, and I constantly think about the future.   Too much, maybe — focusing so much on what has not yet occurred and one cannot yet control is not helpful.

Perfection is quite often expected in many areas of life.  I know I struggle with facing the fact that I can’t be 100% perfect in my many pursuits at once, all the time.

And a few days ago this was the case with me.

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (often mistakenly called the Mormon Church).  This is the Christian religion which focuses on peace, repentance, and receiving grace through Jesus in order to return to our Father in Heaven.

I’m pretty lucky I have access to this “restored gospel” (it is the full restoration of Christ’s original church),  because it teaches me how to find peace in this life and the next through our Savior.

Feeling worrisome and burdened with tasks one day, I decided to take it to the Lord.

I read in the Book of Mormon, (a companion scripture to the Bible that testifies of Christ), about a prophet of God in Jerusalem who didn’t let the unknown get the best of him.

Around the time of the biblical prophet Jeremiah, another prophet of God was warned to leave Jerusalem because it was going to be destroyed.  (The Babylonians shortly thereafter destroyed the city and enslaved the Children of Israel.)

1 Nephi 3:17, 18:

For he knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the wickedness of the people.

For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets. Wherefore, if my father should dwell in the land after he hath been commanded to flee out of the land, behold, he would also perish. Wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the land.

This prophet named Lehi followed God, left behind all he had and fled with his family into the wilderness.  God then revealed to Lehi that his sons should go back into the city and retrieve the metal plates engraved with scriptures of God.  God told Lehi this was essential so that his descendants would not live in ignorance of the gospel.  The plates were in the possession of a powerful man named Laban who lived inside the city walls.

1 Nephi 3:19, 20:

And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers;

And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time.

Lehi’s sons Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and Sam, agreed to go— but the difference was their attitude.

Laman and Lemuel complained excessively, saying it was hard thing their father asked of them.

I have read this story often throughout my life.  I think those who know the account well may think, ‘Well of course I would never murmur like Laman and Lemuel.’ I know I have had this line of thought before.

But then it dawned on me: I do complain sometimes getting frustrated over my demands, feeling hopeless about getting it all done.  My main habit is to constantly question how on earth it’s all going to work out.   This is a lack of faith in our Heavenly Father.  And Nephi helped me understand this.

HIs response to God’s command to get the plates was strong and faithful:

1 Nephi 3:7

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Nephi didn’t know how he was going to accomplish this seemingly impossible challenge.  Nephi had no idea exactly what to do.  But Nephi drew faith in what he did know.

He knew that God will always prepare a way for us to accomplish our righteous endeavors.   He knew that God would not give a commandment to men that was impossible to achieve.

Nephi and his brothers were eventually successful despite intense opposition and extreme danger.  Laman and Lemuel became angry at the first sign of failure and wanted to give up.

But instead, Nephi was positive and did not despair.  Instead of thinking about what wouldn’t work, he tried again with faith in God and came up with a new, creative solution.

As I read these words I’d already read hundreds of times, something dawned on me.  These truths don’t just apply to a prophet on a dangerous mission, the truth applies to us! Everyday!

While I am trying to be my best, obey God, accomplish all the tasks on an unending list, I need to remember that it is not impossible.  And more than that, I need to remember that God is going to provide my way to achieve it.

One scripture that, though beautiful and true, previously stressed me out is found  in Matthew 5:

 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

This seemed so daunting!  I would think – “I feel like I’m struggling already.  Now I have to be perfect too?”

But paired with 1 Nephi 3 in the Book of Mormon, this overwhelming command now became the brightest beacon of hope.  Because I knew that if God would not give us a commandment without preparing a way for us to accomplish it – that means it IS possible for me to eventually become perfect!  It IS possible to become like my Heavenly Father.

And if God can prepare a way for flawed, mistake – ridden me to eventually become perfected, that gives me hope.  Because it reminds me that God can do anything.

And suddenly, life doesn’t seem so overwhelming after all.

This article was written by Livi Whitaker,  member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.

Livi is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”). She is a Communications Specialist at an Insurance Brokerage firm in Boise, ID. Professional experience include writing – based positions at the United Nations and AARP, Media Services, Inc. She is an avid blogger at thebrightbit.com and sensiblystyled.com, a modest fashion blog. Livi Whitaker is a freelance writer and authors the positive blog for all things lovely, www.thebrightbit.com.

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The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The Book of Mormon explains that we have the freedom to make our own decisions.

The Book of Mormon is a record of some of the peoples in the ancient Americas and God’s dealings with them. It is also another testament of Jesus Christ and a reminder to look to Him in all things.

I learned to love The Book of Mormon at my father’s feet. Growing up, my parents would get us up at 5:30 in the morning…all 8 kids. And my dad would read to us out of The Book of Mormon. My dad was a great storyteller, and he made the stories in The Book of Mormon come alive for me. After he read, we would discuss what the verses meant, how they related to us in our family and how we could apply what we learned in our own lives. 2 Nephi 25:26 says, “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” My parents exemplified that for our family.

I still remember reading in 1 Nephi 3: 29, where an angel tells the brothers of the prophet Nephi, then just a young man, that because of Nephi’s righteousness, he would be made a ruler over them…his older brothers. And my dad saying, “That’s like having Rachel rule over Shelley, Sharon and Lisa.” Being the third in line, that didn’t sound so great to me. I wanted to be righteous so I didn’t have to be ruled by Rachel.

The Book of Mormon begins with the prophet Lehi and his family in Jerusalem about 600 BC. As my dad explained to us, Lehi had money, and his oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, ran in the popular crowd. Lehi saw a vision and was commanded by God to preach repentance unto the people of Jerusalem, but the people were so wicked they sought to kill him. So the Lord commanded Lehi to take his family and journey into the wilderness to a land of promise, which he did. 1 Nephi 2: 4 says,

And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, his provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.

Lehi and his family had to leave, first of all, because Lehi was in real danger of being killed. But the land of promise, across many waters, was a place that the Lord had reserved as a safe haven for his righteous people as long as they remained righteous. And they took only what they needed with them as a metaphor for their journey: they were leaving behind the world and all of its frivolity, and they didn’t need to take any materialistic reminders with them.

Laman and Lemuel were angry and complained bitterly that they had to leave their friends, home and possessions and go into the wilderness because their dad was a dreamer. Nephi, on the other hand, was obedient and followed his father without murmuring. Sam, the third son—me in my family—was also obedient. So I took comfort in the fact that my counterpart in the story was righteous (sorry Shelley and Sharon).

As a child, I related to things as a child. I saw that Laman and Lemuel were whiners and caused lots of problems and that Nephi was obedient and tried to be a peacemaker. I related to the stories and the people in the stories. I loved reading the scriptures and felt the difference that it made in my life. As I study The Book of Mormon as an adult, I see the deeper complexities in the scriptures. The Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior. From the beginning of the book, Nephi turns to the Lord in his time of need and trusts that the Lord will never let him down. As an adult, I understand how Nephi was able to follow his father and not complain, even when the journey seemed unforgiving and impossible. 1 Nephi 2:16 says,

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore I did not rebel like unto my brothers.

Nephi was a man of great faith who was able to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. This scripture shows us some of the keys to Nephi’s greatness. First, he had a desire to know. Second, he asked the Lord for help. And third, he softened his heart, or in other words, he humbled himself. As I study the qualities that shaped Nephi, I gain a greater understanding of the things that I need to do to achieve “greatness.” I am under no illusion that my greatness will ever be as Nephi’s, but I can find the peace, comfort and happiness that he found. I learn these things by studying the scriptures. Not just reading, but truly studying and applying in my life the things I learn.

My husband and I are trying to instill the same love of scriptures in our children. We have read the scriptures as a family every day for almost 5 years. Up until this school year, we would read at night. This year we decided to read in the morning (7:15 instead of 5:30…I just can’t seem to commit that early). Sometimes we have the kids each read a verse, and sometimes we read to them. But if we ever forget, the kids will remind us. We read and discuss, and hopefully are laying a foundation for our children, so they may know where to look for guidance.

In 2009, we decided to have a yearly family scripture theme (I can’t take credit for the idea…but I loved the idea and decided to implement it in our family). The theme is something that as a family we focus on. We memorize the scripture and say it as a family. All but the youngest can recite these scriptures, reference included, by heart.

This week we are each taking a scripture theme and explaining what they mean and why they are important to our family. That was my idea. We started with 2012’s scripture, which is Mosiah 2:41:

And moreover I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

This scripture has special significance to our family, and specifically my husband, which is the reason it is our theme for this year. My husband’s father died in June 2011, and my husband went to California to say goodbye to his dad and thus was there when his dad died. He was also able to help his mother prepare for the funeral. She asked him to choose a scripture to put on the program. So my husband took his father’s scriptures and looked through them, and he found this verse underlined. So Mosiah 2:41 was the scripture that was on my father-in-law’s funeral program.

Last year we had 2 scripture themes, one of which was Alma 37: 37. Alma 37:37 says,

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings and He will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

I love that scripture because it reminds me to pray always, to look to the Lord in all things and to be grateful for the blessings given to me.

Our family scripture themes remind me, and I hope they remind my children as well, of the things upon which we should be focused.

Life gets hard sometimes. And sometimes the hard times seem to linger longer than we would like. But during those times, as I turn to the scriptures, I find the peace and comfort I am seeking. At one point recently, I was really struggling with one of those hard times. And as I was reading my scriptures I came upon Mosiah 23:21-22, which says, “Nevertheless, the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless—whosever putteth his truth in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.” I realized that the Lord was trying my faith and patience, but that I needed to put my trust in him. Then I read in Mosiah 24:13-14, and it seemed that the Lord was talking to me:

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

This brought me a powerful feeling of peace and comfort. The Lord was talking to me directly through this scripture. And he was telling me exactly what I needed to hear. I am very grateful for that. This is not the only time that a verse of scripture I am reading seems to be meant just for me at that very moment in time. I know it is the power of The Book of Mormon that this occurs.

I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I have gained a testimony for myself that it is the word of God to us, to offer comfort and guidance in our times of need, and knowledge of who we are and why we are here on this earth. I invite all earnest seekers of truth to truly study The Book of Mormon, to discover for yourself the power found in its pages. The experiences I have while reading The Book of Mormon help me to understand, in great depth, how much the Lord loves me and cares about me, that he does answer my prayers and he does have a plan for me. I am eternally grateful for the guidance, direction, comfort, peace and knowledge found as I read The Book of Mormon.

This article was written by Lisa Montague, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Jesus Christ in Mormonism

Worship with Mormons

This week I read 1 Nephi 7:12. Nephi is the first prophet to narrate The Book of Mormon and explains how his family fled Jerusalem and came to the Americas. At this point in that journey Nephi has been asked to do many difficult things by God and yet still has this remarkable attitude as he encourages others in his family to be more receptive towards the Lord’s commandments. “Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”

I know that I am the literal daughter of a Heavenly Father. This scripture highlights my tendency to forget that while simultaneously encouraging me to really recognize all the wonderful love my Heavenly Father has shown me in the past. It also really emphasizes the role of faith. Faith is showing hope for something we cannot yet see. The prophet Nephi is reminding me that if Heavenly Father showed love in the past He will show it again if I but have faith.
Two wonderful friends stayed with me for the entirety of the Emergency Room ordeal holding my hand and reading the scriptures to me off their phones. Another wonderful friend gave me a priesthood blessing—an experience where an obedient man with the right authority can use the power of God to bless someone here on Earth.  My roommate drove me to a follow-up appointment. Another member of my congregation, called a ward, picked me up. People I didn’t even know expressed concern for my finger. I felt Heavenly Father help me to cope with the pain and learn to work effectively with nine healthy fingers.Last Monday my roommate accidentally shut my finger in our dorm room window. Sitting on the couch in our kitchen I was almost overcome with the pain and a deep sense of vulnerability. I didn’t know what to do. All of a sudden I was struck by the realization that the only one who could really do anything for me in this situation was my Heavenly Father. It was like the scripture above. I knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers in the past and that I needed to have faith he would do so again. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to help me find comfort in a really traumatic experience. After spending four hours in the Emergency Room I left with five stitches and a brace that I would have to wear for six weeks. I missed my parents who live across the country and I was overwhelmed with all the medication I had been given. And yet amidst all that there were answers to my prayers.

It’s now been exactly a week since the accident and I can testify to the truthfulness of Nephi’s words. I have exercised faith in the Lord and know that he is “able to do all things according to his will”.

Article written by Katie S

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After leaving Jerusalem and traveling 180 miles or so into the wilderness, the Lord commanded Lehi in the Book of Mormon that his sons should return to Jerusalem in order to get the plates of brass, which are a record of the Jews and a genealogy of Lehi’s ancestors (see 1 Nephi 3:3).   Nephi’s response to this commandment of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is awe-inspiring.  He says to his father, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7).

The brass plates

Nephi’s faith and obedience are incredible.  He knew he faced a long, miserable journey through the wilderness to go back to the very place the Lord had just commanded them to leave; and he didn’t know how to get the plates once he and his brothers arrived in Jerusalem.  Albeit, Nephi did not doubt the commandments of the Lord; he trusted in the Lord completely.  Nephi knew that if the Lord commanded it, He would also provide a way for it to be done if he just put faith in Him.  This marvelous faith is mirrored in other Book of Mormon prophets—such as Ammon who journeyed to enemy land to teach the gospel, not knowing beforehand what he would do, but only that he should go; or Moroni who spent years abridging the records of his people for purposes known by the Lord.

This faith is also present in the prophets of the Bible, as well as in the Book of Mormon—such as Daniel’s determination to not worship false idols because of the commandments he had been taught from his youth: to worship only one God, the God of Israel, and then being delivered from a den of lions because of his faithfulness in keeping the commandments of God.  When I act faithfully, like these prophets in the Book of Mormon and the Bible have, keeping the commandments becomes much easier for me to do.  I have seen it become easier for my friends to do as well.  One experience with a particular friend comes to my mind.  Originally this friend had problems with frequent swearing and taking the Lord’s name in vain.  However, as his faith grew, and his determination to keep the commandments of the Lord also grew, he was able to overcome that habit completely.  It took hard effort and constant checking of himself once he had decided that he no longer wanted to take the Lord’s name in vain.  Through his efforts and the results that came, my friend learned to trust that the Lord would provide a way for him to be obedient in keeping His commandments if he was willing to do his part.  I am so grateful for the example of faith and obedience I receive from these prophets.  They encourage me to keep cultivating my faith and becoming more obedient.  And I love seeing the happiness that comes into my life as I am faithful and obedient, for the Lord truly is able to do all things.

Article written by Karina H

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Learn more about the importance of faith from a Mormon apostle

Just the other day in one of my religion classes at BYU, where we are studying the Book of Mormon, we read a story that is familiar to me from my youth but this time a particular phrase struck me and taught me a life lesson that I think not only applies to my personal happiness but also helped me understand how to become more like Christ.

The story is found in the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon.  During the time directly preceding the destruction of Babylon (about 420 B.C.) many prophets went forth calling the wicked people of Jerusalem to repentance.  Among these prophets were the Bible’s Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah. Another of these prophets was Lehi, the first prophet of the Book of Mormon.  God commanded Lehi and his family to leave Jerusalem to escape destruction. One could imagine how hard it would be to leave the comfort of your home and associates to enter the unknown. Among Lehi’s four sons there were two who were not pleased with their father’s directions, although they journeyed with their family, the scriptures say they often “murmured”.  After much time in the wilderness, on one particular day, Lehi’s two wayward sons were displeased with their righteous brother and took him, bound him and began to beat him. Yielding to their mother’s pleas they stopped and aware of their error they sorrowfully asked for forgiveness. The beaten brother’s words to his aggressors are what stuck out to me, he said, “And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness…” (1 Nephi 7:21).

This passage of scripture is a powerful lesson to me about how a righteous man of God responds to aggression, unkindness or trial.  Lehi’s son, named Nephi, did not just forgive them but he frankly forgave them. How often have I been injured by another’s actions and dwelled on my injury while feeling justified or even forgiven with my lips and not my heart. Nephi frankly forgave, meaning to me, he did not think about the incident any longer but thought about the sorrow of his brothers. With that in mind, surely he could do nothing but forgive entirely and instantly.  Nephi desired their well-being therefore he did not just forgive them, but sent them to the Lord where he know they could find great forgiveness than he could give.

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and the message from the Spirit that it teaches me. I know the book is the word of God.  I see the blessings from the Lord in my life when I apply its teachings and I feel a greater closeness to my Savior when I do. I hope that like Nephi and most importantly, like the Savior I can frankly forgive.

Article written by Andrew B

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While I was reading this passage I was really struck by how immediately after tasting of the fruit, Lehi wanted to share of its goodness

Lehi desired to share the happiness he found

 with those he loved.  This is often true for us, how often do we find a new favorite band, or favorite recipe, and right away want to share it with our friends and family?  Later on in 1 Nephi, we learn that the fruit represents the gospel of Christ.   So when Lehi tasted of the fruit, it symbolizes his belief and acceptance of the gospel of Christ. Once you have tasted, or felt of its power and goodness, you really want to share it with those you love and care about.  Two of Lehi’s sons refuse to come and eat of the fruit, and at the end of the chapter we read how Lehi, “exhorted them with all the feeling of a tender parent”.  Lehi wanted nothing more than for all of his children to accept the gospel and be as happy and filled with job as he was.

Often when we feel the power of the gospel, our circle of people we want to share the gospel grows to the point that we want to share it with everyone we come in contact with. We wish for everyone, everywhere to feel of Christ’s love.  I believe this is why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (also known as the Mormon Church) spends so much time and effort on missionary work and councils the young men and women to spend two years of their lives on missions sharing the gospel.  Once you’ve felt of the happiness the gospel brings, you know that it could make so many more people happy, you simply want to share the news.  I’ve felt the love of Jesus Christ in my life, and I wish that all of my family, friends, and even those I do not know could feel it as well.  Nothing brings me more joy, nothing makes me happier than the gospel of Christ and knowing how much He loves and cares for me.

Article written by JeriAnn W

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