The Book of Mormon

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday morning session of the October 2011 conference.

My grandpa, Joseph Smith Wilson*, was a Book of Mormon scholar. Not formally trained, but had studied the book since he was young, been taught by the Spirit and by the time I knew him could answer any gospel question from the pages of the Book of Mormon; in fact, he would say, "Well, the answer to that is on page __ ." (He was a bit lost when the new edition came out in 1980.)

My dad knew the Book of Mormon quite well too, although he knew it by chapter and verse, not page number. We read the Book of Mormon many times through while I was growing up. I don't remember a time when I didn't know it was true. I've never questioned it at all, ever.

Elder Tad R. Callister's talk The Book of Mormon--a Book from God resonated with me because of my deep love of that book.

I know the Book of Mormon is exactly what Joseph Smith claimed it to be. I know it is a true record of the ancient inhabitants of America including the visit of the resurrected Jesus Christ. Every prophet in it testifies of Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer. We are taught His Gospel and about His Atonement for us in wonderfully clear language.

I can't imagine my life without it. Joseph Smith was right when he said that a man [or woman] could get nearer to God reading this book than any other. It has certainly been true in my life.

 *He was named for the Prophet Joseph Smith because he was born one day before the prophet's birthday and his mother had asked God for a son promising to name him for the prophet and send him to Zion, from Scotland, when he was of age.