The Book of Mormon Challenge

In August of 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley challenged all members to read the entire Book of Mormon before the year's end. "We studied the Book of Mormon in Sunday School this past year. Nonetheless I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon. If you will read a bit more than one and one-half chapters a day, you will be able to finish the book before the end of this year. ...Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." (See August 2005 Ensign, First Presidency Message.)

During the summer I gave myself the same challenge, to reread this book of scripture and to study its pages. I accepted the challenge whole-heartedly and began reading my Book of Mormon every spare moment that I could. As I would read during my lunch break at work, I would often be interrupted by inquires into what I was reading so intently. In this way I was blessed with opportunities to talk about the gospel with others in a non-intrusive way. By not beginning my reading until midway through the year, I had a lot of catching up to do. I was unable to complete the Book of Mormon by the end of December but I did finish by the end of January. I enjoyed accepting the challenge first given by President Hinckley so much, that I have once again challenged myself to reread the Book of Mormon for this year.