Have the Greatest Year with the Greatest Book

By Onnastasia Cole

Church Magazines

Decide now to make 2020 the year you and your family immerse yourselves in the Book of Mormon.

Image

year 2020 with various Book of Mormon scenes

Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert

“New year, new you.” Sound familiar? Yes, it’s January again, which means you’re likely setting goals to become your best self. Well, there’s one goal this year that you and your family can’t afford to miss: diving into the Book of Mormon and filling your hearts and homes with all the blessings that will result.

President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son. Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon.”¹

Need more convincing?

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught: “There is a power in the [Book of Mormon] which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.”²

Now, what individual or home doesn’t want that?

A New Home-Centered Curriculum

With the new Come, Follow Me manual for individuals and families in our hands (or pockets), guidance from Church leaders, and a slew of new videos, app reminders, and study resources, it’s never been easier to make gospel study an edifying and Spirit-filled experience for the whole family.

Here are a few ways to help you get started.

Create a study plan in the Gospel Library app

Do you sometimes forget to study? No worries. Open the Gospel Library app, select “Study Plans,” and create a schedule with digital reminders.

Set daily, weekly, or monthly schedules for your scripture-reading goals.
Receive notifications and reminders for individual or family study.
Keep track of how much you should read each week to meet your and your family’s goals.

Check out “Family Study Fun” in the Ensign

If you have young children or teens, our “Family Study Fun” series (see page 12) can take some of the planning pressure off your shoulders. Each week we propose a simple, engaging activity that requires little to no preparation, based on the scripture lesson being studied that week. After you read the scriptures together, discuss and have fun.

Watch the new Book of Mormon video series

Hosted in the Gospel Library app and online at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, these new cinematic videos bring the scripture stories to life. Bonus idea: share the videos on social media to introduce others to the book that’s changed your life.

Study every day

President Nelson taught, “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”³

In other words, the Come, Follow Me curriculum and other study resources can certainly enrich your experience, but they can’t replace the scriptures. That’s the real curriculum. If you sincerely desire to open the windows of heaven in your home, build faith, and draw your family closer to Christ, immerse yourselves in the Book of Mormon every day.

Don’t overthink it; don’t give up

Family study shouldn’t be complicated. You know your family’s circumstances and individual needs, so prayerfully consider what will work best for you and try different approaches. If one week doesn’t go as planned, try not to get discouraged! Simply seek Heavenly Father’s guidance on what adjustments to make. Then try again and watch the blessings flow.