Happy New Year
January 1, 2024
Nathan was able to call home for Mel's birthday and New Year's Day. We feel blessed to talk with him this much. We love him and are so proud of him. I asked Nathan to write down a few thoughts that I could share for my Gospel Doctrine lesson on the Introduction of the Book of Mormon and share them here.
So the introduction of the Book of Mormon is a very important part of the Book because it provides witnesses to the truths contained, a simple explanation to help the reader better understand the Book, A brief history about how it came about, a promise to find its truth, and a bold decree of truth.
The Book of Mormon is the most important literature that we have and is key to our conversion, and continued endurance. The Book of Mormon is transformative for all those who read it. Preach My Gospel states "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion," The fact is that if you want to be or remain converted you must read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon regularly. I have seen the Book of Mormon literally change lives of the people who have read it, and applied it. Something that this mission has taught me is that the Book of Mormon is full of answers to the questions that our souls have. Many times I have met people looking for answers that are made plain in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is also an incredible source if you want to feel the spirit, through reading it you can feel the spirit and it will bring inspiration when it is fit. The last two paragraphs within the introduction contain a wonderful invitation which states that as we read and pray to know if it is true, if we take up this invitation, we Will gain a testimony. The next few pages are testimonies from people who have beyond a shadow of a doubt known of the truth of the Book of Mormon. Their powerful testimony provides an example of how a testimony may look, and affirms the truth of the Book of Mormon. So in our case, it is in our hands to gain this witness for ourselves, and also to find the answers we seek within its pages. We must read the Book to gain a testimony, and we must read the Book of Mormon to grow our testimony.
Sincerely Elder Walker
