BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.
In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names. We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)
Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.
About Mormons: You are a Child of God
Section from a letter to my good friend Bailey
… And while you do that, I’m going to share with you some of the things I know. I know you are a daughter of God. And I am too. I think you know that too. If you ever want to know, just ask. I do it sometimes. Our Father in Heaven loves you as His daughter. He is the perfect Father who loves us no matter what. You can’t ever be out of His reach.
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I think you might also know this. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins. God is a just God, and no unclean thing can dwell with Him. That means that if a law is broken, the price must be paid. That is where Jesus Christ comes in. Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins, not so we could sin all we want, but so we could repent of our sins and give our very best. And, since we’ll always be inadequate, He makes up the rest. He also makes us more than we could be and helps us prepare. Yes, the devil is real and he hates you, but “if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).
OK, sorry, that last part sounded like a sermon. I’ll get back to things I know. I know the Book of Mormon is true. Read it. It changed my life. There is a promise in the end that says: “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). So read it, with real intent, and pray.
I hope this doesn’t sound like an assignment, because it’s not. I get this picture in my head that people think Mormons are assigned to share the gospel and they report back for points. We are often reminded to share what has brought us our happiness; but the fact is, if you know something and it made you happy, wanting to share should be a natural side effect. That’s why I included my testimony in my letter to you. So one more insight from the Book of Mormon is in Alma 50:23: “Behold, there never was a happier time among the people.” It’s talking about when they were living the gospel. I am so happy. And I want to hear all about you, so write me back, and tell me everything. And tell me if you’ll take my challenge and read the Book of Mormon.
Love, your friend,
Annie Ruth Romney
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