Nelson - The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It? - October 2017

President Nelson speaks about meeting a tribal king years ago that was interested in who President Nelson was.  He explained that he was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and shared with him the Book of Mormon account of the Savior appearing to the Nephites.  The king replied:

• “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• After experiencing the power of the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi, the king proclaimed, “If I am converted and join the Church, I will bring my whole tribe with me.”
• “Oh, King,” I said, “it doesn’t work that way. Conversion is an individual matter. The Savior ministered to the Nephites one by one. Each individual receives a witness and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

He speaks about things he has done while studying the Book of Mormon recently and encourages us to read the Book of Mormon with more purpose.

• I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals. Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you.

He asks us three questions that should cause us to reflect on our commitment to making the Book of Mormon a bigger part of our lives.  He then gives responses that he has heard around the world to these questions.

• First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?
  • “Without the Book of Mormon, I would be confused about the conflicting teachings and opinions about so many things. I would be just like I was before I found the Church, when I was searching for knowledge, faith, and hope.”
  • “I would not know about the role the Holy Ghost can play in my life.”
  • “I would not clearly understand my purpose here on earth!”
  • “I would not know that there is continuing progress after this life. Because of the Book of Mormon, I know that there really is life after death. That is the ultimate goal for which we are working.”
  • “I did not have a life until I read the Book of Mormon. Even though I had prayed and gone to my church all my life, the Book of Mormon helped me to really communicate with Heavenly Father for the first time.”
  • “Without the Book of Mormon, I wouldn’t understand that the Savior not only suffered for my sins, but He can heal my pains and sorrows.”
  • “I would not know that we have prophets to lead us.”

He outlines several truths that are made known to us by having the Book of Mormon.

• I testify that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It contains the answers to life’s most compelling questions. It teaches the doctrine of Christ. It expands and clarifies many of the “plain and precious” truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible.
• The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere. It teaches what it really means to be born again.
• The full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is contained in the Book of Mormon. Period.
• The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary. The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions—such as the erroneous practice of performing infant baptisms. The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and “never-ending happiness.” The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God. It abolishes forever the false concepts that revelation ended with the Bible and that the heavens are sealed today.

President Nelson promises us that reading the Book of Mormon will change our lives.

• As you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions--every day.
• As you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life.
• As you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.

What are you doing to make the Book of Mormon part of your daily life?  President Nelson's encouragement to make the Book of Mormon more part of our daily lives is advice from a prophet of God.  I have learned for myself that daily reading in the scriptures will bring us happiness, joy, and change our perspective on what really matters in our lives.  If you don't have a habit of reading from the Book of Mormon each day, I challenge you to start today.  A little bit of effort will have a substantial effect on your life.