Obedience and Lehi’s family#
October 2003 bishopric message to the ward
Dear Webster Groves ward members,
If you were in attendance last Sunday to hear Pres. Sylvester’s announcement, you will likely remember that evening for a long time. If not, you will want to talk with someone who was there. As background, he explained the gospel principles involved and described our stake as being at a key juncture in its history. He then asked all of us to join him in (re)reading the Book of Mormon in the next 90 days. That works out to about 3 chapters a night if you started Sunday night.
I have a few urgent comments.
The Holy Ghost confirmed to me that this is an inspired request, or, if you please, a commandment from the Lord through His authorized representative. I strongly encourage you to seek the same witness.
Please start reading now so you won’t fall behind. If you do fall behind, just resume your reading where you left off and keep going.
Please help those for whom you are spiritually responsible to succeed in this charge. That may include your visiting teaching or home teaching families, your class or quorum members, or your family. Please notify them as soon as possible so they will not have to start late. Note that this gives us another good reason to contact every member of the ward. In your visit or phone call or email or letter, include a personal testimony of the Savior’s atonement.
The Book of Mormon’s whole purpose, after all, is to convince all people “that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God” (title page).
There are many wonderful tools available from the Church to help every member be able to comply. These include the Book of Mormon Reader, tapes or CDs of the Book of Mormon read out loud, and scriptures.lds.org. The stake has provided a reading chart for those who want one. My family held a family council Monday night to determine how to help all 8 of us meet this goal, and we are excited about the resulting plan. I encourage you to do the same.
I believe the 2nd & 3rd chapters of 1 Nephi contain a type of what can happen in your home depending on your response to this exciting revelation.
The presiding officer of the Lehi family told them what the Lord wanted of them; it required sacrifice (2:2, 3:2-4). Some members complained because obedience would cost them both money and their precious time on Earth (2:11). They thought it was too hard (3:5). They refused to listen to those who believed in the commandment (2:18). But they really only complained because they did not understand how the Lord operates (2:12). For one thing, they thought that it was their priesthood leader who was asking them to do it, when in fact it was the Lord (3:5). Because of their disobedience, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord and lost their birthright (2:22-23). Others, by contrast, had “great desires to know of the mysteries of God” (2:16). Even though they at first did not understand or accept the revelation, they were willing to ask God if the commandment was really from Him, and this allowed Him to soften their hearts and give them faith (2:16-17). Some were visited by the Lord and, interestingly, immediately shared their witness with whoever would listen; others had faith to believe their witness (2:16-18). These obedient members were blessed for their humility and faith; they were granted temporal prosperity and were taught “the mysteries of God” (2:16,20).
I testify that if we follow this commandment, we will be supremely blessed as a ward. We will finish on December 20th. On that date we will kneel simultaneously as a stake in prayer (details to follow).
You might consider reading a new copy of the book with a specific friend in mind, and marking passages for him or her as prompted by the Spirit. You will then have a beautifully personal and meaningful gift for your friend at Christmas.
I love you and pray for the Lord to bless me with greater charity. We have not been asked to walk across a desert or to be martyred, but the Lord does require our whole self, including our time (DC 64:34; 97:8). I am excited to see what further blessings the Lord will shower upon us if we can obey this injunction (DC 59:4).
Sincerely, your brother,
Bishop Kevin J. Black