The
Book
Of
Mormon
This
last week I finished reading the Book of Mormon for the second time in
Spanish. I've read the book more than a dozen times in English, but
reading and studying it in Spanish has truly opened up a new door of
information and insight. In the many times I read the Book of Mormon
before the mission I studied it, I loved it, and I knew that it was
true. However, I wasn't consistent in my reading. At times other worries
got in the way: school, work, social demands.
That all
changed when I got out into the mission field and was brought "to the
dust", greatly humbled. I was in a different country without a single
family member or friend. I didn't understand the culture, the language,
or what my purpose really was as a missionary. All I had was the power
of prayer, of direct and personal communication with my Father in
Heaven, and a blue book: the Book of Mormon. When I started seriously
studying and taking in the words of this book my mission, and my life,
changed dramatically. Plenty of you reading this email or blog post
aren't members of the church, and may have a little trouble believing
that a book could change anyone's life.
Let me explain a little bit of the "How" with clips from my life this week.
First,
visiting Fanny, an older sister in the ward. She has ulcers in her legs
and it's extremely difficult for her to get around. She is constantly
in a lot of pain. We stopped by during the week to serve her and share
something from the Book of Mormon to brighten up her day. As we opened
the Book of Mormon to read I asked Fanny what she wanted to learn about.
She told me to pick something "linda", or pretty. We read a chapter
from 3rd Nephi, or the teachings of Christ to the people in the
Americas. As we read she closed her eyes and listened, completely at
peace. We didn't read for a long time, perhaps 3 or 4 minutes. When we
finished Fanny still had her ulcers, was still in pain. However, the
look in her eyes made it clear that she was at peace inside. The Book of
Mormon was able to bring her inner strength and health, peace in a
turbulent time.
My companion and I decided to
teach Lilian her retention lesson "The Restoration of the gospel of
Jesus Christ", using the Book of Mormon. As we read from 2nd Nephi 3,
which talks of Joseph Smith and the great work he would accomplish in
translating the Book of Mormon, Lilian and Zulma were all eyes and ears.
Paying attention, asking questions when things weren't clear, and
marking the verses we were studying. Zulma and Lilian are both converts
to the church. They baptized in their 60's, moving forward in faith as
the only members of their families. And here we were, studying this
marvelous book with two strong, faith-filled women, women who found the
strength to follow Christ through their testimony of a book, an ancient
history of the people who lived in the Americas long before. I could
feel the love they had for the Book of Mormon as we studied and read
together.
My new Companion: Hermana Bekaouche
Jorge Luis, a convert to the church,
has been preparing to serve a mission. As he's worked on his papers
he's been hit with a lot of trials and temptations. When we visited with
him during the week I asked him how he was doing with daily prayer. He
told me he was praying morning and night. When we asked him how his
scripture reading was doing he said, honestly, that he was struggling to
read consistently. Understanding his situation, as I was the same way
before the mission, I invited him to participate in an activity with me.
I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon through and was planning
on starting over the same day. I invited him to "read with me". We
decided to set the goal of reading 2 chapters a day, which will lead to
us finishing up right before General Conference. He was really excited
by the prospect. A couple days into the project now, I can tell you that
I can already see a difference in him. He's not only reading the Book
of Mormon, but has started to read the Bible as well. What power in a
book, to bring us closer to all of God's words!
Later
that same day we went to visit Walter and his friend Raul, two less
active members of the church. They have started coming back to church
but still aren't reading the Book of Mormon. Being the persistent woman I
am, I asked them to pull out their books, as we would be reading with
them. We read 1 Nephi 1, taking turns reading. Throughout the chapter
Walter would ask questions, and really seemed to get into the reading. I
think he was almost disappointed when we didn't continue with chapter
2. His friend, Raul, before we left, asked us if we would mark something
for him to read in the Book of Mormon. These two men, who weren't
reading before, had completely changed with the reading of a single
chapter. They then told us how they would be going to stake conference,
an hour early to get a good spot, and that if help was needed afterwards
to clean up that they wanted to be there. Is it not clear that the Book
of Mormon can change our very desires and attitudes? With the reading
of a single chapter.
Often we visit Carmen, a
72 year old convert to share with her and her two fantastic grandsons,
Yunca and Santiago. We ALWAYS do something with the Book of Mormon.
Every little lesson and every game are centered around this book. Now,
when we come through the door Yunca immediately asks us, "Should I bring
the Bibles?", referring to the Book of Mormon. I have witnessed a huge
change in these two young boys and their grandma as we take the time to
read and play with the Book of Mormon. Yunca, 7 years old, is now
teaching us about faith and repentance, is asking us about stories from
the Book of Mormon. Santiago invites us in even when they're "busy". The
Book of Mormon and its influence has changed these two little boys, and
by watching this change take place Carmen has changed as well.
I
could go on and on. Sharing with a less active regarding the Atonement.
Sharing with a family after eating lunch together the importance of
reading the Book of Mormon together as a family every night.
Perhaps
my favorite experience, making a covenant, or a promise with my
Heavenly Father, that I would make and take the time to read the Book of
Mormon for 15 minutes everyday for the rest of my life. By making this
promise and doing everything in my power to fulfill my side of the deal,
I have felt a difference in my reading. A power. Shout out to Elder
Mason Miles for recommending making such a covenant! It works, and I
invite each of you to consider doing the same.
This
four word titled book Changes EVERYTHING. My week consisted of its
power, and for this reason it's been the topic of this week's letter.
Now,
if anyone has any questions as to WHAT the Book of Mormon is, WHEN to
read it, WHO it talks about, or anything else, email me! As a
representative of Jesus Christ, I'd love to talk to anyone about this
marvelous book:)
I love you guys and I hope each of you knows it!
Love,
Hermana Dickson
P.S. READ THE BOOK.
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