Modified from a Sacrament Meeting talk given 4/22/2012
Of all the things I like about being Mormon, The Book of Mormon is the thing that I love the most. Of all the different elements of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is my favorite.
When I was a kid, I filled my first copy of The Book of Mormon - a vinyl one that I got when I was baptized at age 8 - with a bunch of see-through scripture stickers. When I was a teenager, I decided that those were no longer cool, and I tried to rip them off, but they took off some of the type and left sticky goo on the pages. I loved that copy anyway and covered the pages and margins with markings and notes during high school. It was the first copy that I read on my own all the way through.
Another favorite copy of The Book of Mormon was the Portuguese one that I used on my mission. It was while studying that copy that I fell in love with being a missionary, with Portuguese, with Brazil, and with so many Brazilians whom I taught and worked with. Even though the translation may be exact, somehow reading the Book of Mormon in another language felt like discovering a new book.
A tiny red paperback copy of The Book of Mormon (see photo above) is what got me through my 3 years in New York City. Because it was light and easy to carry, I could always keep it in my purse, and I read it on the subway every morning on my way to work. I had some special spiritual moments with that book on crowded subway cars.
There are five scriptures from The Book of Mormon that have especially “changed my life.” I use the phrase loosely to mean scriptures that have shaped the way that I think about myself, God and the world.
1. Alma 7:12
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.
What I love most about this verse is the word “succor.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a current apostle, taught that “succor is often used in the scriptures to describe Christ’s care for and attention to us. It means literally to run to. What a magnificent way to describe the Savior’s urgent effort on our behalf. Even as he calls us to come to him and to follow him, he is unfailingly running to help us.”
The image of the Savior running to comfort me is so striking and beautiful. It helps me to understand that the Atonement is not only about repentance and forgiveness, but also about receiving peace, comfort and healing. These words empower me to want to turn to Christ when I need help because I know that He is already “turned” - and running - towards me.
2. 1 Nephi 7:17
But
it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according
to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my
brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with
which I am bound.
Something Elder David A. Bednar, another apostle, taught helped me to appreciate this verse:
Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? “Please get me out of this mess NOW!” It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement.
I
do not think the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell
from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both
persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he
then “in the strength of the Lord” worked and twisted and tugged on the
cords, and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands.
This
verse has completely changed how I deal with difficult circumstances in
my life. When I feel like praying for something to be magically changed
or taken away, I try instead to pray for the courage and strength to
deal with it. I especially love Elder Bednar’s words “worked and twisted
and tugged.” Having God’s assistance with our trials does not mean that
they will be easy or devoid of work. When I want something to simply be
removed, I remember Nephi, and I approach the Lord differently.
3. Helaman 10:4
Blessed
art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have
beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have
given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and
hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my
commandments.
The last sentence encapsulates the type of person I want to be: someone who doesn’t seek her own life, but seeks to do will of the Lord and to keep His commandments. Nephi has set a great example of someone who isn’t concerned about himself. He is the opposite of self-absorbed, self-centered and selfish. He lived the great Christian paradox: he found his life by losing it.
Sometimes when I feel myself start to get absorbed into my own concerns and issues, I try to conjure up this verse and switch my focus to the Lord and to His will and to what He wants me to do. I try to focus on being more obedient. Using Nephi’s example to realign my priorities always helps me to feel calm and centered.
4. Alma 34:18-27
Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
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.
Not only are these verses beautifully poetic, but they teach me so much about prayer. God wants me to pray and consult with Him about all of the details of my life. I have been known to get annoyed with stories about people who pray to find their car keys and they magically appear. That’s nice, I want to say, but what about the person who prays for the healing of their sick child and then the child dies? What about the person who prays for an addiction to go away and they just can’t beat it? Given what is going on in the world, does He really care about you being late for work because you can’t find your keys?
I have come to believe that the answer is yes. I have undeniably felt His hand in some of the minutiae of my everyday life - keys and wallets included - and I think that He shows us His hand in the little things to remind us that He is also in charge of the big things. Of course He is super cognizant of the dying child! Of course He is aware of the addict’s agony! As I consult with Him over my “flocks” and my “fields,” I am more aware of His hand over all aspects of my life.
5. 1 Nephi 11:17 and Mosiah 4:9
And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
Believe
in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in
heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both
in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the
things which the Lord can comprehend.
A lot of things in life don’t make sense. Some things in the Church don’t make sense. But to me, these verses define faith: I can be OK if not everything makes sense to me. I don’t have to intellectually grasp all aspects of life and of the Church. I am grateful that I can let go and turn my trust and my ignorance over to a higher power. I am OK with not knowing because I do know God’s love.
Conclusion
Isn’t
this a beautiful collection of truths?! I like to think that if I were
alone on a deserted island with nothing but The Book of Mormon - no
church services, no temple worship, no hymns - my spiritual health would
remain intact because of the way this book, all on its own, helps me to
connect with God. It teaches me how to turn to Him for comfort, how to
deal with challenges, how to become a better person, how to pray to Him
and how to have faith in Him. This book has shaped, defined and blessed
my life. I love it and I know that it is true.
