During the Ezra Taft Benson years, there were a lot of talks, given in General Conference, about the Book of Mormon. In the first session of the April 1987 conference two important thoughts seemed to stand out: 1) Living our religion fearlessly and faithfully, 2) Reading the Book of Mormon with purpose. These talks basically teach us how to live our religion with purpose.

Living Our Religion Fearlessly and Faithfully

We call ourselves Saints because, as Elder W. Grant Bangerter states, we follow “Christ in holiness and devotion with a view fixed on eternal life.” If that is really true, then we must mean that in all facets of our lives, not just on Sunday or when it’s convenient to us. He continues: “Saints take their probation seriously.” He challenges whether we take baptism on as simply a formality, or as a true and living covenant with God.

Elder Howard W. Hunter asks us if we are members of the church “institutionally,” or members “individually.” I’ve actually experienced wards that appear strong “institutionally,” but are weak as individual members. And I’ve also seen strong members who are good people “individually,” but as a ward together they seem to be “institutionally” weak. It’s an interesting phenomenon. What we want is to be “individually” strong and actively help our ward be “institutionally” strong. And vice versa. A ward should actively be seeking out its members and blessing their lives.

Another talk, given by Elder M. Russell Ballard, reminds us that in spite of our busy lives, sometimes it takes a personal crisis to realize that our lives aren’t as balanced as we like. He says, “Our main goal should be to seek “immortality and eternal life” (Moses 1:39). With this as our goal, why not eliminate from our lives the things that clamor for and consume our thoughts, feelings, and energies without contributing to our reaching that goal?”

Reading the Book of Mormon With Purpose

Both, Pres. Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke on Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. In a recent Sunday School class, a teacher asked us what our favorite stories were, in the Book of Mormon. Several hands went up and we all nodded in agreement as they mentioned various prophets with their stories. The teacher then observed that no one had mentioned Christ’s visit to the Americas. Shouldn’t that be the first favorite mentioned? Anyway, that was a sad, shocking realization.

As I read these two talks, I began seeing several ways I could read the Book of Mormon with new eyes; with real purpose. As we all know, we have been asked to read the Book of Mormon yearly, constantly, and in addition to any other scripture we are reading. How do we do that without our eyes glazing over? So, here are some thoughts for you to consider.

1. Underline every time the Lord’s many names are used. As you look back on the two pages in front of you, you will see that the foremost subject of the scriptures is—without a doubt—Jesus Christ, the Lord, and Savior of the World.
2. List, in a journal, all the names that refer to, or mean, Jesus Christ. Some names may surprise you, such as the word Righteousness, Eternal, Love, Tree. See if recognizing ALL His names gives you a broader view of the message of the Book of Mormon as a whole.
3. As you list His names, list all His characteristics. Even in just the first few chapters of 1 Nephi, you’ll be amazed at how much Lehi and Nephi knew about their Savior.
4. Using your “temple glasses,” look for relationships between what the Book of Mormon teaches and what we learn in the temple.
5. Because we know the Book of Mormon centers on Jesus Christ, look for Him in the lives of the great prophets. How are they types and shadows of Christ? How do they follow Christ? What do they preach of Christ?
6. Look for warnings. Who are these warnings for? How do they compare to our day? How will Jesus Christ fulfill all things, and save those who follow Him from all evil and destruction?
7. Elder Nelson suggests we list each time Jesus Christ visited personally or sent others to visit His people. He lists all the visits Christ made after His resurrection, throughout all of scripture, in his talk but there are plenty of moments in the Book of Mormon to study carefully to understand better who Jesus Christ really is.

Pres. Benson invites us to read 3 Nephi. “3 Nephi contains some of the most moving and powerful passages in all scripture. It testifies of Jesus Christ, His prophets, and the doctrines of salvation. … What a blessing it would be if every family would read together 3 Nephi, discuss its sacred contents, and then determine how they can liken it unto themselves and apply its teachings in their lives.”

This year, we have the opportunity to live our religion better and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ more. May we take this opportunity seriously, and with purpose, becoming better for having done so.