Dear Mom and Dad,
Now that I am a mom, I understand that nothing brings a parent more happiness than seeing the success and/or accomplishment and/or happiness of a child. So I want to share with you a little victory I’ve experienced of late(as a result of your example)–that I think will make you lean back in your chair and smile.
When I was growing up, I knew you both loved the scriptures because I saw you reading them heard you discussing them on a very regular basis.
And because of your example, I wanted to love the scriptures, too. I certainly valued the scriptures and believed and appreciated what I read, and I read them pretty regularly because I trusted what you and my other leaders taught me about their value in my life, but I hadn’t gotten to a point yet where I truly loved them like you did. I wanted the value and power of the scriptures to be clear to me because of my own experiences.
And guess what? After years of practicing what you taught me and living through my own experiences, I have come to really love the scriptures, too. I can feel their power in my life. It’s kinda like magic. I read the scriptures; I am a better mother. I read the scriptures; I am a better wife. I read the scriptures; I am just a better person. Along with praying, reading my scriptures lifts me to a higher place or something–making me more spiritually minded, I think.
And guess what else? I’ve discovered something else that is even more amazing: the Book of Mormon is so much more than just 500+ pages of words of wisdom. It is exactly what it claims to be: another testament of Jesus Christ. It has seemed that every other verse I am being reminded of the Savior’s atonement and it’s saving power, and of his mercy and willingness to continuously gather me ‘as a hen gathers her chickens.’
So anyway…just thought you’d be glad to know I’m comin’ around….
Maybe someday I’ll even love reading Isaiah.