The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion

I have been doing some pondering and study.  I feel a need to let my family know the importance of studying the scriptures.  There are times in our lives when we seriously study the scriptures such as in seminary, institute, while on missions, during times of trial.  Then life happens and gets in our way.  We forget the thing that helped us gain a testimony in the first place.  We still have a testimony but we feed it in a haphazard way.  We read the scripture but not every day.  It is tough I know.  I have had this 'on again, off again' cycle of scripture study in my life.  I really want to retain my testimony of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, my Savior, temple work, genealogy, and all that goes along with it.  Several times in General Conference I heard reference to studying the Book of Mormon and decided that was what I really needed to be doing.  I looked up the talk by Ezra Taft Benson.  He also quoted Marion G Romney.  I love these quotes.  I feel we need to let my posterity know that I do have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and it can affect our lives in great and wonderful ways.  I have started the 21 day challenge for gaining and retaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  I challenge to to read it too. 21 day challenge to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon

President Ezra Taft Benson gave three reasons for studying the Book of Mormon

"The first is that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement. He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.

"The second great reason why we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study is that it was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us.

"The third reason why the Book of Mormon is of such value to Latter-day Saints is given in the same statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith cited previously. He said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (History of the Church, 4:461). That is the third reason for studying the book. It helps us draw nearer to God. Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book.

"...President Marion G. Romney, ...who knows of himself of the power that resides in this book, testified of the blessings that can come into the lives of those who will read and study the Book of Mormon. He said:

“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” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67)."

(The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion, By Ezra Taft Benson, President of the Church, October General Conference, 1986)

Royal Army

Like Helaman’s young warriors, we are part of a great army.
President Ezra Taft Benson directed the following statement to Aaronic Priesthood holders, however, it applies to all members of the Church.

“You have been born at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times. Your birth at this particular time was foreordained in the eternities.

“You are to be the royal army of the Lord in the last days. …

“In the spiritual battles you are waging, I see you as today’s sons of Helaman. Remember well the Book of Mormon account of Helaman’s two thousand stripling warriors” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 55; or Ensign, May 1986, 43; note that stripling means young man).

I have always liked the story of the 2000 young men that had the courage to fight for their country. They were valient and willing to help in troubled times. I know we live in troubed times now. Good is being called bad. Bad is being called good. Where do we stand? How do we become like the Mothers of those 2000 young men that taught them right from wrong?

President Spencer W. Kimball made the following statement about the influence that mothers can have on their children.

“To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326–27).

As mothers where can we learn how to enrich, protect, and guard the home? I know the answer. Family Home Evening, scripture study, family and personal prayer.