I remember my Junior year of Seminary when we studied the Book of Mormon. We had a quote from the prophet at the time, President Ezra Taft Benson, on the wall of our classroom all year. It's from his 1986 October General Conference talk: The Book of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion. The quote was:
"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives
the moment you begin a serious study of the book. 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 strait and narrow path. The
scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85),
and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When
you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in
greater and greater abundance."
I made a commitment as a Junior to read in the Book of Mormon daily the rest of my life. I've done a pretty good job of staying true to that goal - I'm probably at about 95% since that year. And I have been able to look back at the days and weeks where I got out of the habit of a daily scripture study and I can easily recognize the loss of the spirit and the general lack of confidence compared to what I feel when I am studying on a daily basis. I know that President Benson's words are true - when I study the Book Of Mormon - my life is easier and happier than when I don't. It is a cornerstone of my testimony because I have 20+ years of observations that my life is because of studying it.
A promise attached to the Book of that I love was given by President Marion G. Romney in general conference in April 1980 and repeated by President Ezra Taft Benson in October 1986: “I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” These are some pretty amazing promises. They are a great motivation to read the Book of Mormon every day!
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