Notes from the Introductions and Testimonies

On Friday the 16th we had our very first BOM book club meeting and it was FANTASTIC! Four of us showed up, got our kids busy in the nursery room, grabbed some cookies to munch on, and began our discussion about the introduction chapters of the Book of Mormon.

It was really neat to read the BOM from the first page and to be reminded why we have it, and what it's real purpose is (which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what the covenants of the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever - And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.)

As we discussed the introduction further, a lot of comments were made about the character of the witnesses and how we are more like them then we realize at times. As Jennie pointed out earlier, many of them eventually left the Church, although they never denied their testimonies of the Book of Mormon. The times they were living in were harsh and the things they were asked to do were difficult. Looking at them from my life right now, I can see how it would have seemed easier to leave it all behind then deal with the cards they were dealt.

How often do we, in our much simpler lives, feel that it would be easier to stay home from church than wrestle small children for 3 hours, or skip going to the temple for a month rather than spend endless hours trying to find and coordinate with a babysitter? Our circumstances are different than theirs, but the little excuses and moments of doubt we experience can easily lead us down that same path.

That being said, I think we all felt a little more gratitude for Joseph Smith for enduring far more than we could ever imagine and still sticking to it until the bitter end. A consequence of thinking about these men as individuals with real lives and feelings has strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the doctrines it contains. I mean, if you really think about it, if a person as flawed as we all are could bring about such a great work, then surely the hand of God must have been involved, and SURELY with the help of our Heavenly Father we can accomplish ALL things!

Anyway, the conversation was so intriguing that I forgot to take notes, so now I can't remember everything we talked about. Perhaps the other ladies in the group can chime in with some of the things they remember in the comment section. But until then, I just wanted to end this with my last thought as I was finishing up reading the intro pages...

When I was reading through the brief explanation of the Book of Mormon, I was suddenly struck with feelings of gratitude and humility toward Mormon and Moroni. All the work they did, dedicating their very lives to making sure we, in our day, could read this book, came at a great cost. The loneliness alone that they experienced is more than I can imagine having to bare. But they did it because I believe they felt a great deal of the love our Heavenly Father feels for us. That same love that allowed Moroni to continue his work with Joseph Smith and see the fruits of his labors. That same love that coaxes me out of bed each day and buoys me up in my times of need. That same love that is flowing through every page of the Book of Mormon. And they knew we would need to feel that love, so they finished what they started no matter the cost and we are all so very lucky that they did!


For next week we will be discussing First Nephi Chapters 1-3. We will be meeting in the nursery room of the Woodridge Ward Building at 9:00 AM and I will be bringing a HEALTHY (but delicious) snack for us to munch on. Hope to see you all there!