The deadline to meet the First Presidency's invitation to read or reread the Book of Mormon before the end of the 2005 calendar year has come and gone.
The invitation — which was issued in the form of a letter to members of the Church last August by President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust — has been a topic of recent talks and testimonies, the center point of resolve and commitment, and the focus of increased personal and family study.
In December, President Hinckley mused that at perhaps no time in history have more individuals been intent on reading and studying the Book of Mormon. He also invited members to share a copy of that sacred book of scripture with someone.
So, now what?
If you accepted the invitation but did not finish, don't give up. Continue to read — and continue to receive the promised blessings from a modern prophet as well as the inspired teachings of ancient prophets speaking to later generations and the witness of "another testament" of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
If you accepted the invitation and did finish, be satisfied in the sense of achievement. You set a goal and accomplished it. You followed the prophet.
But more than realizing a personal achievement, look back at the past several months and reflect on the promise of a prophet. In the First Presidency Message published in the August 2005 Ensign and Liahona magazines, President Hinckley wrote:
"Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
There it is — a threefold promise: an added measure of the Spirit, a strengthened resolution to be obedient and a stronger testimony of the Savior.
Such should far exceed a sense of accomplishment. Wise is the individual who can reflect on reading the past few months and — rather than having merely met a challenge — recognize the increased blessings of the Spirit, of obedience and of testimony.
Even wiser is the one who has used the invitation to establish or solidify daily personal scripture study.
Reading the Book of Mormon — as well as the other scriptures — is not a "one and done" objective, nor a "been there, done that" attitude. One must not merely say in coming years, "Yes, I read the Book of Mormon — back in 2005, when the First Presidency invited Church members to read it."
No, the invitation serves as a starting point for those needing to be better committed to scripture study and an acknowledging pat on the back to those whose daily routines already include such a practice.
Even President Hinckley's promise underscores the need for ongoing scripture reading and study: ". . . if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon. . . ."
So, now what?
The challenge now is to return to the scriptures — particularly the Book of Mormon — and to remain there.
It is to not only read, but to study, to ponder, to search by specific topic or personal need and to apply.
It is to recognize, then receive the promptings and confirmations of the Holy Ghost.
And it is a challenge to continually learn that which God reveals to us — which is both helpful and personal — as we live lives of change and improvement.
If we continue to apply the purpose of President Hinckley's program to read the Book of Mormon, we can continue to receive his promise of "an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."
