Week 1: New Beginnings

It is interesting to be starting the Book of Mormon here at the beginning of a new year. It gives me another perspective on life and how I can make 2017 even better than the rest.

First of all, I wasn't even planning on taking this class in the first place. It kind of just...happened. I have taken a class from this professor before, and I knew his class was spiritually enlightening. And that is exactly what I have been needing.

Today marks exactly 10 months that I have been home from my mission in Maceió, Brasil. It was an amazing, spiritual time that I can never replace. As such, I have been doing all my scripture study in Portuguese since then. I learn different things when I read in Portuguese. I can still remember, quite clearly, teaching out of the well-worn book on dirt streets to the special people of Brasil.

When I hear someone reading the scriptures in English, my mind automatically fills in the corresponding words in Portuguese. In class we read, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." and I heard in my head, "Eu, Néfi, tendo nascido de bons pais...."

What a beautiful way to start the Book of Mormon. I have read that verse over and over again with dozens of investigators as they started reading of the Book of Mormon themselves. We would read that verse, just that verse, and talk about it with them, explain it, and ask for their thoughts. Some would disregard it as trivial, but others saw the importance of it, and were drawn to the knowledge that lay ahead.

Just as Lehi and his family started their journey, so we too start our own personal journey every time we open the scriptures. We start a journey of learning and growth that we carry with us throughout the rest of our life. I am so grateful for these small journeys that ultimately make up the most important journey, our life here on earth.