Thursday, March 31, 2011

having a greater love

I have tons of things I want to update to my blog, including a couple more things from Spring Break, but I just haven't had the time and blogging is so not the priority right now! We started Clinicals this past week and of course I still have tests (had one today, 84%, blah) and care plans to write, SIM labs to botch and of course the regular ol' rigamarole around the house.


However, I had something I did want to share of a personal nature.

Now, my non-LDS friends, please bear with me for a bit while the post turns a little bit to the spiritual side. I know not all (maybe half?) of my readers share my faith, but I hope you don't mind a Mormon Moment so to speak. :)

This past year, I've had some struggles. Who doesn't, right?

One of the things I've struggled with is having a bit of a lack of testimony in the Book of Mormon as anything other than just a history book. I'd hear and read peoples' testimonies about their love for the Book of Mormon and how they needed to read it every day and how it strengthened their faith and... well...I had just lost that at some point. I didn't doubt it happened. I didn't doubt that this 1000 year long history of the development of the american continents was true. I just didn't feel inspiration from reading it myself.

So, when exactly a month ago, we were encouraged by our Relief Society (women's organization at church) to do something to better ourselves, our families, etc, I knew it was time to put it to the test.

I decided to read the Book of Mormon in 4 weeks.

I figure, hey, if I can read 'Twilight' in 12 hours, I can certainly read the Book of Mormon in 28 days. So, starting with a prayer and a desire to gain more of a testimony and a love for the book, I divided it up into a set amount of days and pages per day, and took off running.

I didn't miss a day, I'm happy to report.

Also happy to report that I got so very much out of it reading it in large 20-page chunks (and boy howdy the Isaiah bits were much easier to get through, plowing thru those in pretty much one day). I was able to follow along and understand so much better, so much clearer. I felt that I mourned with the people when times were hard, and I felt uplifted when things went right and the people were righteous. I felt that I identified with the prophets and understood their struggles and counsels so much better, so much clearer, so much more personally. I shook my head when entire peoples turned away in wickedness after being swayed by pride and disbelief. I felt the joy and jubilation when the people in 3rd Nephi were able to talk to and touch the resurrected Lord. I felt the despair Moroni must have felt as he closed his chapters, disappointed with the way of the world and disheartened at all the bloodshed.

And truthfully? I was sad when I finished it tonight. I literally wanted to start right back up again.

So now? After having read it day in, day out these past four weeks, I have to admit, I have a greater love for the Book of Mormon. Having said nightly prayers just about each and every day (and some mornings too, I forget a lot once that alarm clock goes off), I feel closer to my Savior. I feel like I'm closer to where he wants me to be. I look at the Book of Mormon now as more than just a history book; I see it as written testimony. Example. Family histories, sure, but more so with the purpose of guiding and teaching than simple documenting for posterity sake.

I'm so grateful I was able to accept and act on this RS challenge. I do intend to start the Book of Mormon over again, to read a bit slower but to continue developing my love for its prophets and teachings. I look forward to General Conference this weekend and being uplifted and buoyed up for the next 6 months.

Friends, thanks for indulging me. If you have any questions about the Book of Mormon or the challenge I took on, feel free to email me or check out the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.

6 comments:

Jenna said...

It is so so very interesting that you posted this. I was just telling David a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to 'reenergize' my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I feel like it's been awhile since I've really studied it and 'asked'. So thanks for your insights, I'm right there with you. :)

Teri said...

oh man I wish I was a "reader" I just have the hardest time sitting and reading anything!! good for you ..what a great testimony builder..and what?? how did you have any extra time to do this?? you are one busy lady!!...

ps..thank you so much for your sweet note and "essentials" I appreciate it so much!!

Dahlene said...

Wow Amie! Way to go. I guess I should challenge myself to do that. I read it daily with my family and have read it in a few months time by myself, but never in 4 weeks. I'll make April that month for me. I'd love to gain some of the insights you did. I'm sure reading it straight through would connect everything so much more for me. I know every time I read it it teaches me something new. Thanks for this post!

musikmama said...

Awesome!!

Casey Lu said...

I have read it twice in the last five almost six years Ehren and I have joined the church. The richness of the history and testimonies of the people of the Americas is definitely uplifting. I myself need to delve back into reading it but I don't know if I could do it in 4 weeks! Yeah, give me a book full of Twilighty goodness and I can read it asap but BOM is definitely hard to get through. But, if you can do it in 4 weeks then I can (somewhere around there) too. Thanks for the inspiration!

wittygal said...

Thank you for sharing this. I too would like to follow your example and read the Book of Mormon. I love having good encouraging friends.