Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Not another infomercial

When the phrase "sixty days" comes to mind, it makes me think of those corney infomercials that all say you'll lose 100 pounds in just 60 days if you buy this new ab burner. If you were to ask me on January 1st, 2010, if something significant could happen in just a mere 60 days, I'd probably laugh and make some joke about it. However, today is not that day, and I have a different view point.


On January 3rd, I was in the Relief Society (women's class at church) meeting with the rest of the teenage girls. A piece of paper was being passed around to everyone, and on top of it said "Book of Mormon in 60 days" on the top. There were two columns, and a bunch of numbers. One set of the numbers represented the days you were to be reading, and the other numbers were what scripture block you'd read each specific day.


"Great. I'm so not doing this. I've read the Book of Mormon four times since July, I'm all good for now. I'm reading it in Seminary already, and I should read the Old Testament or something," I thought to myself quitely. I'm sure it showed on my face when we were encouraged to participate with the rest of the ward in this challenge.


Reluctantly, I agreed to try to read the Book of Mormon in only 60 days. Today, being February 23rd, and if my math is correct (all y'all know I suck at it), today is day 52. I finished the Book of Mormon this afternoon. I would have been done 17 days ago, but, a little thing called Georgia and sleep-deprivation got in my way (not a very firm excuse, I know...)


Anyway, I learn more every time I read. I am grateful we were encouraged to participate in the challenge and finish it in a certain time frame. I know it has helped me.


I encourage you all to do as Moroni encourages--


"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:4-5)


I know this is the true church, regardless of how many snide remarks I get about being Mormon. It is my testimony that keeps me from floating off into the world and saying "You're right. This is stupid to believe in. Congradulations."


It is all the joy I've found in my life from the gospel that assures me this is where I'M suppose to be. Everyone has the ability to choose what is the best game plan for them, and as for me, this is what I am suppose to be doing. I can feel it in my young, arthritic bones.