Last Sunday we were informed that the women in our ward (congregation) would be participating in a unique challenge together. We’ve been asked to come together and read the Book of Mormon from beginning to end by the end of the Summer. We are always encouraged to read the scriptures, and That Husband and I read together each night, but we were presented with a flier that gave a few reasons why we are doing this BOM challenge as a group of women:

  1. The Young Women’s program* has a new value: virtue. Sisters are encouraged to complete the new value experience with the young women to set an example. Our Stake Young Women’s presidency has asked the young women to read the Book of Mormon before their Night of Excellence. They are being asked to not only read, but journal as they go. We should too!
  2. We are joining efforts with the Coppell 2nd Ward. Both ward will read to prepare for a special treat. Sister ____ will present a six-week course on the Book of Mormon starting in September. So study up!
  3. New light insights and blessings! Who couldn’t use those?

Because I think the Book of Mormon is an often misunderstood part of the LDS belief system I immediately decided I wanted to add a second Sunday post each week briefly discussing a specific verse or story covered in the readings from that week. This will be my version of “journaling”.

But then, I decided I wanted to take things one step further and ask if any of you would be interested in taking this challenge on with me.

This offer is for members of the Church who would like to “speed-read” the BOM again a la the President Hinckley challenge from a few years back. Join with me friends!

This offer is also for non-members (I’ll tell you how to get a free BOM if you are interested). Those who might have tried to pick up the Book of Mormon before but were never able to finish it. Or those who have never opened it up but are interested in what it has to offer. And especially those who wonder WHY I believe so strongly that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter0day Saints is the only true Church upon the face of the earth, that it is the literal Restoration of the Church established by Jesus Christ when he was on earth. There is a reason why pairs of missionaries around the world hand this book out for free to everyone they meet.  If you have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, then you have a testimony of Joseph Smith, and then you have a testimony of the truth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Update: I just got the schedule online! Access it here.

The schedule looks like this:

BOMChallenge

If anyone does end up taking the challenge with me I will of course send you a better copy of the schedule.

BOMChallenge-2

You can comment below to sign up, or you can email me ( that wife at gmail). Your participation does not have to be public if you don’t feel like letting the world know what you are doing. I’m really good at keeping secrets. I’ll email you back every so often and we’ll talk back and forth about what we are reading.

Even if nobody signs up, I’ll still be doing the challenge and writing about what I read each week. As a lifelong member I’ve read the words “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents” many times over, and I’m excited to read it all once again this Summer.

*The Young Women’s Program consists of girls ages 12-18 years old. They meet together for the third hour of Church each week as well as each Wednesday for an activity. During their time in the YW program the girls complete a set of experiences focused on a set of values: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.

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