Book of Mormon

As I was unpacking, organizing and cleaning my room I found one - two - Three! copies of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This doesn't count my own personal copy. These copies were given to me by the missionaries. I've asked them for one throughout the years so I'd always have one on hand with me through high school, work, or anything really. I was ready. I was even blessed enough to have given several to people throughout my life. But I found three still in my room.

I haven't really used them much in the past two years because I've been away at BYU-Idaho for 7 months straight and pretty much everyone is a member there. Sharing the gospel and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is a bit different there. As a result, I've always left my copies to hand out at home in California where there's a lot more opportunity to hand one out spontaneously.

But this month is unofficially Book of Mormon month. The October 2011 issue of the Ensign is a special issue focused on the Book of Mormon. Then a blog I follow, "We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ", has decided to also focus on the Book of Mormon this month. Then during General Conference, the Book of Mormon was also mentioned, as it normally is. However there were three talks where the Book of Mormon was truly the theme: Richard G. Scott's "The Power of Scripture", Henry B. Eyring's "A Witness", and Tad R. Callister's "The Book of Mormon – a Book from God".

When I found these three copies of the Book of Mormon without a home where they can change it from the inside out, I was rather depressed about that fact and decided that I'm going to give these copies out before the end of the year. I'll be keeping my ears, eyes and heart open so I can find homes for them. I'm going to have to get back into the habit of carrying a copy with me everywhere I go. Luckily purses exist!

You just have to love The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It's a book that changes your life every time you read it. You know you are on the right page when you are experiencing a moment of confusion and loss, then you recall a verse from the scriptures that gives you comfort and guidance. It's a book that changes you from the inside out. When you're changed from the inside out, you just shine. It makes you truly joyful, even when you experience the sadness of mortality. It helps you discover the purpose of life. The purpose of a great many things actually. Every word just rings with sincerity and truthfulness. You can't doubt it when you read and study the words and lessons it has on every page.

And yet, I have three copies in my room. Not doing anyone any good. Quite the waste of a marvelous, true book that changes people.

I've met people who think that people can't change who and what they are. They think that people can't change their characteristic of laziness, or fear, or pride, or whatever else. Many think they can't change themselves. But you can. You can, and this wonderful book teaches you how. Just reading it, wanting to know, it begins a change. A marvelous change. From good to better, from better to best, from best to even better than best. It only helps you up. It's impossible to read it with true intent and not become even a little bit better. This book is truly a marvelous thing. Sometimes I just don't think that any of us really take full advantage of it.

So I have a goal. These books sitting on my desk are going to find a home in the next two months. It can only do good out there. Meanwhile I'll continue reading my own. It can only do good to my heart and life. From the inside out.