When Grandpa Sam makes a Challenge

About one year ago my Mom's family had a reunion at Heber Valley Camp. It is always fun to get together with the Sam's, since we don't see them all that often. While we were there in 2013 we did an awesome Book of Mormon activity where we each passed around our own book and everyone marked their favorite scripture. It's neat to now look through and see my whole families names throughout my book. After, my grandpa came up with a challenge, for everyone to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish by next years reunion one year away. And whoever had finished would sign and date Grandpa Sam's book. 

So okay, one year to finish.. I was excited to get the Book of Mormon read in the first year of Tyler and I's marriage. I thought it'd be a great experience. So we started it that week. We took turns reading a chapter, more or less, each night. And you guessed it, we didn't even make it out of 2nd Nephi. 

So quickly, it was already August 2014- two weeks away from the next reunion, when we had realized we did not finish the Book of Mormon. Tyler and I decided that we would dedicate the next two weeks to reading 25ish chapters per day to finish on time. Little did I know that this would be one of the greatest testimony builders I've experienced. 

Yes I have read the Book of Mormon before. When I was in young women's and "had" to finish to get my young women medallion I rushed through it. Tyler, this was his first time really attempting to read the Book of Mormon. 

I know this was quick to finish and I could have probably gotten more out of it if I slowed down and took my time. However, I have never felt the spirit of The Lord so much from reading the scriptures as I got every time I opened the scriptures those two weeks. I have also never gotten the full affect of who's son is who, and who is in war with who, and there are so many cities- how in the world are you supposed to keep track of where the people are at? Reading so much in one day was great, because I was able to get the full story. 

I knew this before, but I know again that the Book of Mormon is true and was written by prophets. I know that we have it on the world today as a guide for us to return to our Heavenly Father. It is important for us to read it and become familiar with it, that is was The Lord wants. I think it is a great idea to take two weeks and dedicate it to reading the Book of Mormon, I promise that it won't be a loss to you. I know that I definitely gained a lot in my testimony. Tyler and I were able to sign Grandpa Sam's Book of Mormon.