My Thoughts About the Ultimate Self–Help Book

Hey, Family & Friends.

I hope this post finds you happy & well.

Though, to be honest, it's entirely likely that you're not happy and well. Henry B. Eyring said that "when you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time". Younger me would have disagreed with Elder Eyring. Thirty–year–old me knows his statement to be truth. 

Whether you're in serious trouble or not at the moment, the fact is, you either have been in serious trouble before, or you will be again soon. Today, I want to share a book with you. It has been a balm to my soul during my serious troubles, and I think it will be a balm to you in yours, too. Here's four reasons why. 

Reason #4: The Book of Mormon is the ultimate self-help book. 

• Every time my schedule is messy and I'm in desperate need of a life hack, the Book of Mormon provides. Just had a disagreement with my husband? 2 Nephi 5 comes in clutch with the story of Sariah and Lehi's argument, and their subsequent marital healing. Worried about how to raise my kids with Christian values amidst a crazy world with anti-Christ messages? Mormon has my back; he raised Moroni, a righteous son, in a society where everyone around him abandoned their faith. When I'm feeling angry or discouraged, Christ's words in 3 Nephi automatically give me a course of action for overcoming those feelings and turn my heart towards God and my fellow men. These are only three of the hundreds of teachings in the Book of Mormon. While this book was written anciently, its application couldn't be more relevant to modern life. Pair it with the Bible and the words of modern prophets like Russell M. Nelson, and your'e unstoppable.

Reason #3: The Book of Mormon brings peace to my soul. 

• I suffer with mental illness. More specifically, I suffer with clinically diagnosed PTSD, anxiety, and a few elements of depression and OCD. What a recipe for emotional alphabet soup, am I right? Anyway, the gorgeous thing about the Book of Mormon is that despite these mental illnesses, this book brings me peace, without fail, every time I open it up. Whether I'm in the middle of a panic attack, reliving a traumatic experience, or struggling to get out of bed—if I open the Book of Mormon, I instantly feel a measure of light and peace pierce my heart. Though I still have to deal with the symptoms of mental illness, the wisdom and goodness written in the Book of Mormon helps me to calm down and endure the pain every single time. If you struggle with mental illness, I encourage you to do what I do. Reach for the book every time you're suffering. Read a chapter, a column, a verse, a word. See what it does for you. 

Reason #2: The Book of Mormon is a love letter written to me, and to you.  

• If you're unfamiliar with the Book of Mormon and its origin story, I'd encourage you to read the introduction page, found just inside the front cover. Here's a link to read it online. The Book of Mormon was written anciently, and the prophets that wrote it knew that it wouldn't be widely read until thousands of years later, during the ending centuries of the earth. This book was literally written for our time, for me and for you to read. God wanted us to have the ability to learn three things for ourselves by reading this book: that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's own church on the earth today. This book is a love letter because it is God's way of telling me how to find my way home to Him amidst the chaos and confusion of this world—by believing in and following His words, His son, His prophet, and His church. That's gorgeous.

Reason #1: The Book of Mormon is the truest book ever written.

• Joseph Smith, the prophet who translated the Book of Mormon from ancient metal plates, said this: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” My friends, either the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith, or it was not. Let me tell you what I know: this book was not written by Joseph Smith. Between my own knowledge of what it takes to write a book (and it's extensive), and the undeniable spiritual experiences I've had when God has manifested its divinity to me, I know the Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets and preserved for our day. And if that's true, then Joseph is a prophet. If that's true, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints is God's organization on the earth today. And if that's true, then it means that Jesus Christ, the immortal son of God, is my savior, and yours. With that knowledge, I can face any serious trouble this life can throw at me. And I know you can too. 

All my love,
MJ