On December 27th 2018, I finished The Book of Mormon.
I'm not sure how many times I have read it my life, and that's not the point.
The point is, I had made a commitment to read
The Book of Mormon every year- (twice a year if I could),
and I made that a commitment in my life because I love
how The Book of Mormon changes me for good.
And I love feeling God's powerful love
and influence in my life.
I feel stronger and more resilient as a woman,
a wife, and especially in my role as a mother.
My choices are clear, I'm more confident and I feel
more compassionate and patient.
On December 27th 2018, I began reading The Book of Mormon again.
My goal was to finish it on my birthday of this year, and
exactly 6 months from when I started reading.
June 27th was not only my 38th birthday,
but the day the prophet Joseph Smith was martyred
175 years ago for this book!
And coincidentally, Joseph was 38 years old when he died.
On my birthday, Christian and I spent the
whole day together at the beach.
I brought my scriptures so I could finish
reading on a blanket in the sand.
While the waves washed on the shore, and the afternoon sun shone down,
I read the last chapter and this beautiful verse stuck out to me:
"And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ,
and lay hold upon every good gift...".
I realized that finishing The Book of Mormon was the most influential
birthday gift I could ever receive from God.
The Book of Mormon are His words, and His love, His wisdom,
His counsel, His prophets, His people, and His promises.
I think it is important to share my undeniable love and devotion
to not only for The Book of Mormon,
but those who lead The Church.
"I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God’s plan.
I’ll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll honor his name.
I’ll do what is right;
I’ll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim."
-Janice Kapp Perry
