Sometimes when I am around those who are not members of our church I kind of don't mention the Book of Mormon. Like it's dirty laundry that I stuffed in the dryer. What a shame! The Book of Mormon has changed my life! I feel the need to not understate the tremendous impact for good that the Book of Mormon has been in my life. So here are some things I have learned from the Book of Mormon that I couldn't learn anywhere else:
I have learned that I can be forgiven of anything through the Atonement of Jesus Christ:
Alma 36 for me is the seminal chapter on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The story of Alma is the story of a father named Alma who has a very sinful son, also named Alma. Alma the elder fasts and prays for his son and his son has a redemptive experience where he is forgiven of all of the sinful things he has done and goes on to become a great man and a powerful missionary.
It is a beautiful redemption story - of how far we can fall from the grace of God and still be forgiven and become an instrument for good in his hands. The Book of Mormon gives me great hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be forgiven of ALL my sins as long as I desire to change and have faith in Him. And this is not being saved "in" our sins but rather "from" our sins, becoming a new individual through Jesus Christ.
I have learned that Jesus took upon him not only my sins but also my weaknesses, my imperfections, and my pains:
In the Book of Mormon we learn that Jesus suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people."
"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12).
How comforting to know that Jesus Christ has felt our pain and our suffering because of sicknesses or weaknesses, not just sin. He wants to help us with all that ails us in life.
The Book of Mormon teaches some powerful things about prayer.
Another favorite passage in the Book of Mormon is about prayer. It tells us that we should pray to the Lord about everything! I love the following passage:
"Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."
We do not have to say memorized prayers. We can tell the Lord our real and daily concerns and ask for help with them.
I have learned how to tell when I am starting to forget Jesus Christ. And what it means to remember him.
In the Book of Mormon there is a cycle called the "pride cycle." In this cycle, people follow God and become righteous. As they do so, they prosper and become wealthy and educated. That prosperity causes them to become prideful and to forget God and despise others. Fighting and chaos ensues. Society begins to break down and the natural consequences of war, disorder, and poverty follow. The cycle repeats itself time and time again throughout the Book of Mormon, reminding me of the importance of remaining constant in my allegiance to Jesus Christ no matter how well or badly my life is going. When things are going well I am reminded that I must not forget the Lord or my poor and needy neighbor. I must continually strive to create a kind and loving society.
These are just a few of the things that I love about the Book of Mormon. Please read it. I have included some links to the Book of Mormon below:
Comments
Post a Comment