Hinckley Challenge

Well, I decided to dive into this challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. The idea being that President Gordon B. Hinckley lived 97 years and to honor him, we could join in and read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. I have pushed myself to do it by reading and when traveling or working to listening to the Book of Mormon. Going fast through the whole book is not my style. I like to soak things in and look at it. Plus, I'm not the best reader anyway, so I read slowly to start with.

Well, I have found that some things have jumped out at me while I was reading this time because I was going quickly.

1) Did you ever really listen to the very beginning of the "Lord's Prayer" as the Savior teaches how the order and attitude of prayer should be? Check this out: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (3 Nephi 13:9-10)http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/13
God our Father's will is done in heaven. He is in charge. The Lord, His Son, is acknowledging this in such a simple way. Jesus is also, in one simple phrase, asking for the purest order of things to happen on earth as it does in heaven. If God's will were to be done on earth at all times, what would this life and existence be like? Can you imagine?! And if the Savior is asking that this wonderful way of life exist on earth, and this is the example of prayer for us, how can we chose to live to make it happen?

2) Alma 48:17 "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."
So if Moroni is described like this, what were the key characteristics that we read about him in Alma? He doesn't like to fight in war but he sure will if it means that he will be defending the rights and freedoms of his people to live and worship as they desire. He would ask the prophet about their enemies' actions in the field of battle, knowing in faith, that the prophet was a seer and could help as long as their cause was a righteous one. He would honor the oaths even of his enemies. He served the people. He knew the scriptures and the gospel and taught many of this to the people as he lead them and encouraged them.
Now, as I have over time read and reread the stories of Moroni, I have felt the power of his righteousness. Notice that there is a purity in that power. He was only 25 when he started to lead so he must have been wise early on. Now I also don't think that he's the only and best leader and that his ways are out of touch for us to reach. On the contrary, I believe that we have his example to show that it is important to actually follow the Savior and live his gospel. And if it means that we have to fight to defend our country and our freedoms, then that is a righteous thing.
The next two verses help us to see that others are seen to be equal in righteousness and the power of it : "Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words." (Alma 48:18-19)http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/48
3) "And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four years." (Alma 48:20)
Notice the next thing that is mentioned here and is all throughout the Book of Mormon that I think we miss on many occasions. It's right after the descriptions of Moroni and the other very righteous leaders, all of whom have different talents that are used at the same time for the blessing of the people.
Helaman and his brethren teach the gospel and help others come to the point that they are willing to make covenants with the Lord and thus there is peace. There is peace because there is righteousness. Again, there is peace BECAUSE there is righteousness. If you ever need a good reason in your life to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, this should be a great catalyst. Don't we all want peace? Don't we all want safe neighborhoods? Well, there we have it. This has been so prominent in my mind this time around in my reading.

There are other things that have really jumped out at me but these are some of the more recent thoughts. Interesting how they all seem to address my own personal desire for peace and joy in this life. I don't just want to wait for it later. It would be nice to enjoy it here, now with my loved ones, friends, and neighbors.

It looks like it can be done.

I'd better work on me and see how things go.