Hello Michael

This font is comic Sans, the rest is in open Sans.  I had never heard of open Sans until I downloaded this first talk.  I just finished listening to it and then reading and marking/ highlighting it. The more I study the book of mormon the more I love it. I mainly study the  conference talks but I am attending a class on Thursday nights, and Jessica made a goal of reading it with her family last year. So I decided to make the same goal last year.  But even though I asked I never heard the ending of her goal.  She is so busy with those 4 wonderful cute little munchkins.  And are they ever munchkins!   You would not believe how active they are! @Uncle Steve and Dave were the most wonderful, Playful, sack of potatoes, water fighting uncles with my first batch of kids that you would not have believed it.  My kids so love those two uncles! Louis born in ’80 and you in ’92 puts quite a spread on our kids so you got lots more of my personal attention than they ever did. And they got lots more of their uncles personal attention than you ever did! @I went to put all my highlighted scriptures away, one by one and I saw all those ones from BKP, Do Not Fear from April’04. Why not stick the two together April ’01 and April ’05?  AS you can probably tell I love these truths and teachings from BKP. Here they are: @The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ—Plain and Precious Things @Boyd K. Packer @Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles @Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren that the Book ofMormon was the most correct of any book on earth,and the keystone of our religion, and a man would getnearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by anyother book” (Book of Mormon introduction; see alsoHistory of the Church, 4:461). @The first edition of the Book of Mormon: AnotherTestament of Jesus Christ came off the press inPalmyra, New York, in March of 1830. Joseph Smith—anuneducated country boy—had just passed his 24thbirthday. The year before, he had spent a total of about65 days translating the plates. Almost half of it was afterhe had received the priesthood. The printing had takenseven months. @When I first read the Book of Mormon from cover tocover, I read the promise that if I “would ask God, theEternal Father, in the name of Christ, if [the things I hadread were] true; and if [I would] ask with a sincere heart,with real intent, having faith in Christ, he [would]manifest the truth of it unto [me], by the power of theHoly Ghost” (Moro. 10:4). I tried to follow thoseinstructions, as I understood them. @If I expected a glorious manifestation to come at onceas an overpowering experience, it did not happen.Nevertheless, it felt good, and I began to believe. @The next verse has an even greater promise: “By thepower of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of allthings” (Moro. 10:5; emphasis added). I did not knowhow the Holy Ghost worked, even though the Book ofMormon explains it a number of times in a number ofways. @I studied and learned that “angels speak by the powerof the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words ofChrist.” It said, as well, that one is to “feast upon thewords of Christ; [with the promise that] the words ofChrist will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne.32:3). @And it says plainly that “if ye cannot understand … it willbe because ye ask not, neither do ye knock” (2 Ne. 32:4). @I also read, “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive theHoly Ghost, it will show unto you all things what yeshould do” (2 Ne. 32:5). I had already done that when Iwas confirmed a member of the Church by the “layingon of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (A of F 1:4). @If I had expected in my little-boy innocence some specialspiritual experience, it had not happened. Over theyears as I listened to sermons and lessons and read inthe Book of Mormon, I began to understand. @Nephi had been very badly treated by his brothers and reminded them that an angel had spoken unto them,“but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel hiswords” (1 Ne. 17:45).






When I understood that the HolyGhost could communicate through our feelings, Iunderstood why the words of Christ, whether from theNew Testament or the Book of Mormon or the otherscriptures, carried such a good feeling. In time, I foundthat the scriptures had answers to things I needed toknow. @I read, “Now these are the words, and ye may liken themunto you and unto all men” Itook that to mean that the scriptures are likened to me personally, and that is true of everyone else.
When a verse I had passed over several times took onpersonal meaning, I thought whoever wrote that versehad a deep and mature understanding of my life andhow I felt. @For example, I read that the prophet Lehi partook of thefruit of the tree of life and said, “Wherefore, I began tobe desirous that my family should partake of it also; forI knew that it was desirable above all other fruit” (1 Ne.8:12). I had read that more than once. It did not meanmuch to me. @The prophet Nephi also said that he had written “thethings of my soul … for the learning and the profit of mychildren” (2 Ne. 4:15). I had read that before, and it didnot mean all that much to me, either. But later when wehad children, I understood that both Lehi and Nephi feltjust as deeply about their children as we feel about ourchildren and grandchildren. @I found these scriptures to be plain and precious. Iwondered how young Joseph Smith could have suchinsights. The fact is I do not believe he had suchpenetrating insights. He did not have to have them. Hejust translated what was written on the plates. @Such plain and precious insights are everywhere in theBook of Mormon. They reflect a depth of wisdom andexperience that is certainly not characteristic of a 23-year-old. @I learned that anyone, anywhere, could read in the Bookof Mormon and receive inspiration. @Some insights came after reading a second, even a thirdtime and seemed to be “likened” to what I faced ineveryday life. @I mention another plain and precious insight that didnot come with the first reading in the Book of Mormon.When I was 18 years old, I was inducted into themilitary. While I had no reason to wonder about itbefore, I became very concerned if it was right for me togo to war. In time, I found my answer in the Book ofMormon: @“They [the Nephites] were not fighting for monarchy norpower but they were fighting for their homes and theirliberties, their wives and their children, and their all,yea, for their rites of worship and their church. @“And they were doing that which they felt was the dutywhich they owed to their God; for the Lord had saidunto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuchas ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither thesecond, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by thehands of your enemies. @“And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend yourfamilies even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this causewere the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, todefend themselves, and their families, and their lands,their country, and their rights, and their religion” (Alma43:45–47). @Knowing this, I could serve willingly and with honor. @Another example: We once had a major decision tomake. When our prayers left us uncertain, I went to seeElder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to proceed.Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “Theproblem with you is you want to see the end from thebeginning.” Then he quoted this verse from the Book ofMormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for yereceive no witness until after the trial of your faith”(Ether 12:6). @He added, “You must learn to walk a few steps aheadinto the darkness, and then the light will turn on and gobefore you.” That was a life-changing experience fromone verse in the Book of Mormon. @Haven’t you felt at times like Nephi, who said, “I was ledby the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which Ishould do”? (1 Ne. 4:6). Haven’t you at times felt veryweak? @Moroni felt weak and afraid that they “shall mock at ourwords [because of our weakness]. @“… The Lord spake unto [him], saying: Fools mock, butthey shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for themeek, that they shall take no advantage of yourweakness; @“And if men come unto me I will show unto them theirweakness. I give unto men weakness that they may behumble; and my grace is sufficient for all men thathumble themselves before me; for if they humblethemselves before me, and have faith in me, then will Imake weak things become strong unto them” (Ether12:25–27; emphasis added). @Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak,discouraged, depressed, or afraid, open the Book ofMormon and read. Do not let too much time passbefore reading a verse, a thought, or a chapter. @My experience has been that a testimony does notburst upon us suddenly. Rather it grows, as Alma said,from a seed of faith. “It will strengthen your faith: for yewill say I know that this is a good seed; for behold itsprouteth and beginneth to grow” (Alma 32:30). If younourish it, it will grow; and if you do not nourish it, it willwither (see Alma 32:37–41). @Do not be disappointed if you have read and rereadand yet have not received a powerful witness. You maybe somewhat like the disciples spoken of in the Book ofMormon who were filled with the power of God in greatglory “and they knew it not” (3 Ne. 9:20). @Do the best you can. Think of this verse: “See that allthese things are done in wisdom and order; for it is notrequisite that a man should run faster than he hasstrength. And again, it is expedient that he should bediligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore,all things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27). @The spiritual gifts described in the Book of Mormon arepresent in the Church today—promptings, impressions,revelations, dreams, visions, visitations, miracles. Youcan be sure that the Lord can, and at times does,manifest Himself with power and great glory. Miraclescan occur. @Mormon said: “Has the day of miracles ceased? @“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children ofmen? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghostfrom them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or theearth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon theface thereof to be saved? @“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith thatmiracles are wrought” (Moro. 7:35–37). @Pray always—alone and with your family. Answers willcome in many ways. @A few words or a phrase in a verse, such as “wickednessnever was happiness” (Alma 41:10), will tell you of thereality of the evil one and how he works. @“For after this manner doth the devil work, for hepersuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither dohis angels; neither do they who subject themselvesunto him” (Moro. 7:17). @Generations of the prophets taught the doctrines of theeverlasting gospel to protect “the peaceable followersof Christ” (Moro. 7:3). @Mormon saw our day. He issued this warning: “Exceptthe Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions,yea, except he doth visit them with death and withterror, and with famine and with all manner ofpestilence, they will not remember him” (Hel. 12:3). @When the Lord visited the Nephites, they asked what“[they should] call this church; for there [were]disputations among the people concerning this matter. @“… The Lord said unto them: … why is it that the peopleshould murmur and dispute because of this thing? @“Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye musttake upon you the name of Christ, which is my name?For by this name shall ye be called at the last day” (3 Ne.27:3–5). @The central purpose of the Book of Mormon is itstestament of Jesus Christ. Of more than 6,000 verses inthe Book of Mormon, far more than half refer directly toHim. @So, “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach ofChrist, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according toour prophecies, that our children may know to whatsource they may look for a remission of their sins” (2Ne. 25:26). @The Book of Mormon is an endless treasure of wisdomand inspiration, of counsel and correction, “adapted tothe capacity of the weak and the weakest [among us]”(D&C 89:3). At once, it is rich in nourishment for themost learned, if they will humble themselves (see 2 Ne.9:28–29). @From the Book of Mormon we learn about: @The plan of salvation or “the great plan of happiness” @The doctrine of Christ and the Atonement @ Why death is necessary @Life after death in the spirit world @ The workings of the evil one @The order of the priesthood @Sacramental prayers @A sure way to judge between good and evil @How to retain a remission of your sins @Clear, prophetic warnings












and many, many other thingspertaining to the redemption of man and to our lives.All are parts of the fulness of the gospel @The Book of Mormon confirms the teachings of the OldTestament. It confirms the teachings of the NewTestament. It restores “many plain and precious things”(1 Ne. 13:28) lost or taken from them (see also 1 Ne.13:20–42; 1 Ne. 14:23). It is in truth another testament ofJesus Christ. @This year we celebrate the 175th anniversary of theorganization of the Church and the 200th anniversary ofthe birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the Church,much will be written and said to honor him. @As usual, there will be much said and written todiscredit him. There always were, are now, and ever willbe those who stir into 200-year-old dust, hoping to findsomething Joseph is alleged to have said or done inorder to demean him. @The revelations tell us of “those that shall lift up the heelagainst mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they havesinned when they have not sinned before me, saith theLord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes,and which I commanded them” (D&C 121:16). They facevery stern penalties, indeed. @We do not have to defend the Prophet Joseph Smith.The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of JesusChrist will defend him for us. Those who reject JosephSmith as a prophet and revelator are left to find someother explanation for the Book of Mormon. @And for the second powerful defense: the Doctrine andCovenants, and a third: the Pearl of Great Price.Published in combination, these scriptures form anunshakable testament that Jesus is the Christ and awitness that Joseph Smith is a prophet. @And I join the millions of others who have thattestimony, and bear it to you in the name of JesusChrist, amen

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