The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Nephi, a prophet in the ancient Americas whose history and revelations are found in the Book of Mormon, says in 2 Nephi 32:3, “Feast upon the words of Christ; … behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” The warm and peaceful spirit I feel when I read the scriptures is the Holy Spirit, confirming to me the truthfulness of the words. How do I know this? Ether, another ancient American prophet whose writings are found in the Book of Mormon, says in Ether 4:11-12:

“He that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me.”

The Book of Mormon is a ‘Safe Harbor’

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, said:

“Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us in personal or public days of despair. That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends, calling all to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him’ (Moroni 10:32).” [1] 

The Book of Mormon is a comforting friend and a safe harbor. Often when I read the verses inside, it is like they are speaking directly to me. I know the Book of Mormon is true, but not from a single, powerful spiritual witness. Of gaining a testimony—or a witness that the Book of Mormon is true—Elder Boyd K. Packer, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (a governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), said:

 “My experience has been that a testimony does not burst upon us suddenly. Rather it grows, as Alma said, from a seed of faith. ‘It will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow’ (Alma 32:30). If you nourish it, it will grow; and if you do not nourish it, it will wither (see Alma 32:37–41). Do not be disappointed if you have read and reread and yet have not received a powerful witness. You may be somewhat like the disciples spoken of in the Book of Mormon who were filled with the power of God in great glory ‘and they knew it not’ (3 Ne. 9:20).

“Do the best you can. Think of this verse: ‘See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order’ (Mosiah 4:27).” [2]

This reminds me of a best friend. You don’t meet and become best friends in a day. You can become friends in a day, but true and lasting friendships develop over time. You share experiences, laughter, sorrow, confidences. Over time, the bonds deepen and you become best friends. The Book of Mormon is like a best friend for me. I can open the book in times of need and turn to verses that offer me comfort, insight and guidance. I have heard people say that they opened the scriptures to a random page and found answers to their prayers. While that has happened to me on occasion, more often I have found the answers I seek in the place where I am reading. It is a “safe harbor” where I can find answers, peace and guidance in the words of God.

Life is Hard, Handle with Prayer—and Reading the Book of Mormon

I can’t remember the exact phrase, but I love it: Life is hard, so handle with prayer. I added reading the Book of Mormon because prayer and reading this book of scripture has and continues to sustain me in good times and trials.

Elder Packer said:

“Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak, discouraged, depressed, or afraid, open the Book of Mormon and read. Do not let too much time pass before reading a verse, a thought, or a chapter.” [2]

I can always tell when I have slacked off my reading and praying. I am less able to handle the stress of kids, finances, housework and all of the other aspects of life. But when I delve into the scriptures, “feasting upon the words of Christ,” all things seem to fall into place. I have the patience I need with my kids. I am able to accomplish so much more and feel good about what I’ve done—and not stressed that I didn’t do enough.

As Elder Packer said, my testimony of the Book of Mormon didn’t come suddenly with a miraculous event. It has come slowly over time. Each time I read, I feel the spirit of the book and the Holy Spirit in the book. Like a best friend, I can always turn to the Book of Mormon to find the words my Heavenly Father wants me to hear—the answers to my questions, the peace I am seeking, the comfort that I need. And in doing so, my faith in my Heavenly Father increases, and I know that He knows me and loves me.

Read the Book of Mormon Online.

In downtown Fresno, California, there is a large building that houses a remarkable room in a corner of the ground floor. If you walk up to the windows and look inside, you will see an amazing sight: row upon row of tiny babies, some no bigger than the palm of your hand, presided over by the best doctors and under the constant watch of nurses and parents dressed in surgical gowns and masks. Some of the babies’ faces are nearly covered by the blue tubes of ventilators; others rest more quietly under clear oxygen hoods. Some lie under bright lights, their vision completely obscured by black eye-masks. All are fighting for their lives as those who care for them hover like angels, touching, tending, watching, and praying.

Seeking the Tree of Life

Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which church is sometimes nicknamed “The Mormon Church”), translated The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ from an ancient record by the gift and power of God. The Book of Mormon is the religious history of a people who left Jerusalem in about 600 BC and were led by God to travel to the Americas, where they built a civilization that flourished for 1000 years. Early in their travels, while they were still only a few days’ journey from Jerusalem, their first prophet, Lehi, had a remarkable dream. He found himself wandering in a “dark and dreary waste” for many hours. After calling upon God for help, he saw a spacious field, with a path traversing it, which led to “a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” By following the path, holding fast to the “rod of iron” which ran along it, Lehi and many of his family were able to make their way along the path, avoiding the river of filthy water that ran alongside, despite “mists of darkness” that arose to obscure their sight. When they reached the tree, Lehi says, they tasted the fruit, which was “most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy” (The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 8:11–12).

The Tree of Life and the Love of Christ

Throughout the rest of the Book of Mormon, the tree Lehi saw is referred to as “The Tree of Life.” It becomes a central image in the religious teachings of his people and its fruit is referred to hundreds of years later as being “most precious, . . . sweet above all that is sweet, . . . white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst” (The Book of Mormon, Alma 32:42). Shortly after Lehi’s dream, the fruit of the Tree of Life is explained to be symbolic of

the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. . . and the most joyous to the soul (The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 11:22–23).

The Tree of Life and Jesus Christ

The Tree of Life symbolizes eternal life with God and with His Son, Jesus Christ. Its fruit is the love of God, by which He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for us so we could return to Him. Jesus is the source of all love and all life. He created this living world; He redeemed it through His sacrifice; He has brought about the resurrection of all mankind; and through faith on His name and repentance of our sins, we can return to live eternally with God.  Our souls can be filled with the love of Christ, which is most precious, sweet above all that is sweet, pure above all that is pure, the most desirable of all things, and the most joyous to the soul.

Like the tiny infants in the NICU at Valley Children’s Hospital, we are fighting for our eternal lives. We are constantly watched over and nurtured by earthly and heavenly angels, who rescue, teach, touch, and love us through every step along the path. Sometimes trials obscure our vision, like masks, like the mists of darkness; but always, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is watching over us to help us along. We may not be able to see the Tree of Life, but it is there, waiting for us. Its fruit is worth every struggle.

Additional Resources:

Amazing Grace: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Tree of Life in Ancient Cultures

About God: He is Loving