This blog gives you the structure and motivation to read the entire Book of Mormon in 80 Days! With quotes, videos and music, you will be uplifted and edified as you come to Christ by nourishing your spirit. Start with Day 1 anytime by going to September in the right side bar.
You will develop a more personal relationship with the Savior as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon. Click on September in the right side bar and scroll down to Day 1 to begin this program anytime! “Draw Near Unto Me...
and I will draw near unto you;
seek me diligently and ye shall find me.” D&C 88:63
“There is a book we need to study daily, both as individuals and as a family, namely the Book of Mormon. I love that book. It is the book that will get a person nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than any other book. Let us continually reread the Book of Mormon so that we might more fully come to Christ, be committed to Him, centered in Him, and consumed in Him….The moment you begin a serious study of the Book of Mormon, you will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path…When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.” – President Ezra Taft Benson
“God expects us to use the Book of Mormon in several ways. We are to read it ourselves—carefully, prayerfully, and ponder as we read, as to whether this book is the work of God or of an unlearned youth. And then when we are finished reading the things in the book, Moroni exhorts us to put them to the test, in these words:
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;
and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni. 10:4
“I know from personal experience, the spiritual power that can flow into your life if you follow this practice [daily scripture study]. You will feel the love of God and a cleansing, purifying regeneration of your spirit. You will experience moments of revelation, when the Spirit whispers to your spirit to be a better father, a better mother, a better son or daughter, a better disciple of Jesus Christ.” ~President Thomas S. Monson
Below are QUESTIONS for you to ponder. Record your answers before you begin the challenge, and then again after you have completed it. :)
-Do I currently feel spiritually nourished? -Do I currently feel peace and joy on a regular basis? -Is the Lord first in my life? -Do I turn to Him for strength before other sources? -Do I know and love Jesus Christ?
-How do I show my love for Him?
-How does the Lord speak to me? -Do I meditate daily and "listen" for answers?
-What are my feelings about the Book of Mormon?
-What are my feelings about Jesus Christ and his atonement?
Let the journey begin.... Video: The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
Beautiful Cover Painting used by permission “Lead Kindly Light”, copyright Simon Dewey/courtesy Altus Fine Art/www.altusfineart.com Reading schedule adapted from the "80 Days Closer to Christ" program.
Beautiful job sticking with it till the end!! (Anyone reading this at least tried!) If you haven't finished yet, the silver lining is that you now have as many "Make Up Days" as you want! :) I have heard from many of you and am so happy knowing this program helped you read the Book of Mormon all the way through in 2017.
Today's reading begins with Mormon's 2nd epistle to Moroni. Parts of this letter are very hard to read as Mormon details the HORRIFIC state of the Nephites and the suffering of the innocent. "The suffering of our women and our children upon all the face of this land doth exceed everything; yea, tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written." (Mormon 9:19) Mormon's graphic descriptions of the depravity of the people are not for children to read. Or me for that matter! No wonder he felt so compelled to combat Satan constantly! "Let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." (Moroni 9:6) Such a real battle we are in!
Considering the wickedness of EVERYONE around them, don't you wonder how Mormon and Moroni remained so unscathed? How could they be so righteous when everyone else was soooo lame? I think it's because they FEASTED ON SCRIPTURES so much in those caves. :)
Mormon's words to Moroni are sweet: "I recommend thee unto God...my son be faithful in Christ and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weight thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." (Mormon 9:22, 25)
Moroni gave us some powerful parting words before burying the plates: "I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God...come unto Christ and lay hold upon every good gift....awake and arise from the dust...deny yourselves of all ungodliness...love God with all your heart, might, mind and strength...then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God...that ye become holy, without spot." (Moroni 10: 27, 31, 32, 33)
Of course, he paid a few visits to young Joseph before the Book of Mormon was delivered safely into Joseph's hands as planned! And from his hands to ours! What a blessing to have this incredible book of scripture!! Bring on the latter-days and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!! We are ready and armed with the word! :) I am so thankful to the prophets and righteous brothers and sisters who sacrificed so much for us to be able to have the Book of Mormon and usher in the last dispensation of the fullness of times!! We are beyond blessed! It was a pleasure reading with you and I hope you will join me next year in another group effort to read the Book of Mormon in 80 Days (even if it takes a little longer.) Bless you all and have a Spirit filled holiday season! This opening song captures my joy of the gospel, as I hope it does yours!
Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon Moroni 8-10
Video: "Moroni Buries the Gold Plates"
~Moroni's Promise~
Moroni 10:4-5
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Andby the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
Video: Elder Richard G. Scott talks about testing Moroni’s promise
Video: Receiving a Testimony of the Book of Mormon, Part 1 (Moroni 10:4–5). President Boyd K. Packer shares his experiences in gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon
Video: Receiving a Testimony of the Book of Mormon Part 2
“God expects us to use the Book of Mormon in several ways. We are to read it ourselves—carefully, prayerfully, and ponder as we read, as to whether this book is the work of God or of an unlearned youth. And then when we are finished reading the things in the book, Moroni exhorts us to put them to the test, in these words: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Moro. 10:4.) I have done as Moroni exhorts, and I can testify to you that this book is from God and so is verily true.” ~President Ezra T. Benson
Video:"The Promise of the Book of Mormon"
“It is a covenant we make with God to keep all His commandments and give service as He would give it if He were personally present. Living up to that standard as best we can builds the strength we will need to endure to the end. Great priesthood trainers have shown me how to build that strength: it is to form a habit of pushing on through the fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. The Lord’s great mentors have shown me that spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest. I promise you if you do all that you can, God will magnify your strength and your wisdom.” Henry B. Eyring
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." Moroni 10:32
“At the beginning of most dispensations, a book is given to the newly called prophet. Moses received tablets (see Exodus 31:18). Lehi was given a book to read concerning the destruction of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:11-14). Ezekiel was given 'a roll of book' (Ezekiel 2:9-10) containing the Lord's message for the house of Judah in his day. John the Revelator on the Isle of Patmos was shown a book with seven seals (see Revelation 5; D&C 77:6) Is it any wonder, then, that the Lord would provide a book containing the fullness as part of the 'restitution of all things'? The Book of Mormon has the power to draw all men and women to Christ. Its references to the Savior's atonement are the clearest on record with regard to its purpose & powers.” --Merrill Bateman
“I know from personal experience, the spiritual power that can flow into your life if you follow this practice [daily scripture study]. You will feel the love of God and a cleansing, purifying regeneration of your spirit. You will experience moments of revelation, when the Spirit whispers to your spirit to be a better father, a better mother, a better son or daughter, a better disciple of Jesus Christ.” ~President Thomas S. Monson
Answer these questions again from the beginning of the program and compare your initial answers: -Do I feel spiritually nourished? -Do I feel peace and joy on a regular basis? -Is the Lord first in my life? -Do I turn to Him for strength before other sources? -Do I know and love Jesus Christ? -How do I show my love for Him? -How does the Lord speak to me? -Do I meditate daily and "listen" for answers? -What are my feelings about the Book of Mormon? -What are my feelings about Jesus Christ and his atonement?
Continue the daily pattern you've established of feasting on the word of God every day. Just as you need physical nourishment each day, you need spiritual nourishment. It is THE SAME. Daily flood your minds with the LIGHT of God's word, "that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you." (D&C 50:25)
Again, EXCELLENT JOB and have a wonderful year full of POWER, LOVE and the SPIRIT of GOD!! Join me next September for another 80 day challenge! "And now I bid unto all farewell..."
Love and blessings! :) Heidi
Write your testimony of Jesus Christ in your journal.
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