Week 1

Oh how excited I am to study the Book of Mormon in depth this semester! I have come to love and cherish that book more than any other. Just attending our first class and discussing the Title Page and learning about the four key words “abiding by its precepts” has made me excited to look for the precepts and principles that each story teaches and apply them in my life. I know that as I abide these precepts that come from our Father in Heaven I will see the Spirit in my life increase and the happiness that it brings will be felt in more abundance.

This week for part of my studies I read a talk called, “The Book of Mormon: Man-Made or God-Given?” by Tad R. Callister. There are many things that stood out to me while reading and listening to the talk. Many of the arguments people have against the Book of Mormon that Elder Callister discusses were new to me. It’s interesting to me how contradictory to each other they all are. This in and of itself shows me how false they all are. It’s like when Jesus was put on trial and they couldn’t find anything to accuse Him of because no two accusations were the same. People were all just making up lies and no two could agree on one. Another thing that stood out to me is the quote by Emma Smith when she calls Joseph ignorant. She of all people knew him best and knew that he did not have the education necessary to write the Book of Mormon.

I have my own personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have read it. I have prayed about it. I have had countless experiences of receiving peace and revelation through it and I know that it is a true book. I know that it was written by ancient prophets of God. I know that through abiding by its precepts I will be happy and be able to return and live with God again someday.