"My life took an unexpected turn when I was left with 4 children to raise on my own. I felt as if I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and I

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1 "I have lived in Manhattan for almost eight years. I moved here with my husband, so he could go to Columbia University. While he went to school, I worked. I figured that at some point, we would have kids. By this point, I wanted kids. For a long time, motherhood was an unquestionable factor in the equation of my life, a thing for which to plan, but that unquestionable factor shifted to become an inner drive, a thing to welcome and anticipate, a thing about which I had opinions and ideas and emotions. I no longer wanted children in a passive way, in the way you might speak of it casually, like it s something you don t oppose. I wanted kids. I was patient, and I was mellow. I didn t worry when months passed. Years passed and I still didn t worry. And then, I started to worry. And the worry was as gradual as had been my building desire for children. The worry began to sand down my confidence that the Lord had a plan for me. That s not completely right, though--it s more like the worry began to sand down my confidence that I would like the Lord s plan for me. One Christmas Eve, I was feeling especially blue, and I decided to read the Christmas story. I started earlier, this time, with Elizabeth. The apartment was so still and the hour was early and I felt this wealth of time; there was no need to rush the Savior s birth. And I read about Elizabeth conceiving John the Baptist, and her husband s disbelief, and Elizabeth s own amazement, but what really struck me was how reading about Elizabeth informed my thoughts when I arrived at the passage I ve read so much, when Mary is visited and told of her divine purpose. What struck me is that the angel uses Elizabeth s example to comfort and encourage Mary. It is Elizabeth who is held as an example of the angel s statement that all things are made possible through the Lord. And I thought how that must have been something Mary needed. The Lord must have known that, but at the same time, Elizabeth had no idea. How could she have known or anticipated the needs of her cousin, of her unborn child, the needs of the unbaptized masses, the needs of her spouse? That night I felt as if the scriptures were opened to me in a new way, in a way that was individual and strengthening and empowering. That night was four years ago. I am still without children, and I have no promise of them in the immediate future. But Elizabeth s story stands as an example to me of how all things are known and numbered to the Lord. Maybe you are like me, without children but wanting them. Maybe you have them and wish, sometimes, you didn t--maybe you have no marriage or maybe you have trouble in marriage. This story, this experience, is for me about far more than children; it taught me that the Lord intends us, whatever our station, to be of service to one another. It is my belief that when we read the scriptures we are able to have that desire to serve kindled. I needed that experience that night because I had, and continue to have, a long road ahead. I hear the scriptures referred to as food for the soul, and for me that is true, but they are for me also a means of exercising my testimony, of actively engaging with my faith. Sometimes for me, reading the scriptures is work--i must exact every effort to train my mind, to focus my thoughts. But this time, other times, many times, the scriptures are a silent gift. I am grateful for that gift." -Andrea Boerem 1

2 "My life took an unexpected turn when I was left with 4 children to raise on my own. I felt as if I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and I did not know how I was to take my next step. I remembered my favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:56. " Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." The Lord will show you your path if we will but trust, believe, and follow it. Even though we can't see from our limited understanding how it is going to be possible, we must give Him all the praise, thanks and devotion. He will always answer our prayers, but in his own timing. He was with me every step of the way. My life turned out more beautiful than I could ever have imagined." -Alecia Osburn "With a large family of six the weight of raising them to love the scriptures has always been heavy on my shoulders. As a family we read the scriptures over the years. Some times it was more enjoyable than others. Now that they are older and out of the house that weight is still there, I want them to open the scriptures and read them with their children. My husband and I came up with something fun this year, we challenged our children and their spouses to memorize a scripture each month; one that they have not memorized before and then repeat it to us. We have had fun with this and it is interesting to my husband and I to see which scripture they chose. The Savior has promised that if any one that labors and is heavy laden will but come unto Him he will give them peace. The scriptures are where I find Christ and He has given me peace and made the weight easy and the burden light." -Louise Love "Ever since I can remember I have carried around a lot of extra Weight of anxiety. I have always been anxious even when I was little. One of my first memories was my sweet mom kneeling with me to say nightly prayers and I begged her to stay with me because I was anxious and scared. I was too young to read the Book of Mormon but I remember her bearing her testimony to me and telling me that it had a special power that calmed her when she was scared. She left and came back in the room with her Book of Mormon and she stuck it under my pillow and told me if I got scared to remember that I had the Book of Mormon with me and it would calm me down. That night I didn t get scared and I started to sleep with a Book of Mormon under my pillow a lot, it became my security blanket. 2

3 As I grew up and was able to start reading the Book of Mormon I realized that I would receive the same comforting power. I ve learned that I am never too old to turn to my security blanket and read from it s pages to help me lose my Weight of anxiety. Reading from the Book of Mormon has been literally more effective at relieving me from my anxiety than any miracle or fast-acting drug the doctors gave; just like losing weight, there is no miracle drug, the harder you work at it the better the results will be." -Heather Jones "I am grateful for the words of ancient prophets that were written for our day. When I am regularly reading, studying and pondering my scriptures, my knowledge grows and my spirit is strengthened. They seem to speak to me in a different way, each time I read and reread them; they always pertain to my life giving me answers to questions and prayer, teaching me lessons, bringing me comfort through trials and blessing me with a closeness of the Spirit. There is a void in my life when I am not diligent at reading those precious words that were meant for me. It is literal and tangible. Life seems harder, I lose hope, I am not happy. My spirit is sluggish and depressed. Instead of growing, I am regressing. Temptation and trial become unbearable. The Spirit is far from me. Recently, I am ashamed to say, I have not been so diligent. But in Gospel Doctrine not too long ago, we were talking about 2 Nephi 4. Verse 15 really struck me and inspired me to go home and read the chapter. The second half of the chapter is the Psalm of Nephi and it was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. It pierced my heart to the core. Nephi was speaking to me. He is my hero and I want to be more like him. He inspired me to decide right then and there, that I need to make a conscious effort every day, to exercise my spirit and read the words of the Lord; not only for me, but for the benefit of my family. Although I have not always been perfect at daily scripture study, I am grateful for the truth and light contained in them. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who does not condemn me for my mistakes and allows me to try and try again. I know that when I continually make the effort to study and read, He blesses me with knowledge, insight and most importantly, His Spirit. I am grateful for those who sacrificed so much in their lives so that I could have the knowledge of the gospel in mine. I know, with all my heart, that the scriptures are true. They are a blessing in my life." -Lacey Hoffman "A few years ago I found myself struggling with a difficult patch of weeds while laboring in my vineyard of motherhood. As I look back I can see that my worries were small, even trivial compared to the heartache that is the lot of so many. Nevertheless, to me my concerns were consuming. As mothers we sometimes hold up for comparison our challenges, devaluing 3

4 ourselves if we have not trod a path as harrowing as some or smugly dismiss others for their perceived lack of experience. It is a comfort to understand that the Savior loves and respects every effort, every sacrifice, every attempt to do our personal best. He is mindful of each tear we shed. This truth was taught to me in a very special way one evening. I had just had a lovely dinner with my daughters, their friends and a niece. As we all left to go our separate ways to return to our husbands and families, one of my daughters and my niece were each returning to their apartments alone. Both were beautiful and educated. Yet neither had found their eternal companions. I asked them both to text me when they got to their homes to let me know that they were safe. They each had some distance to go so I had a while to sit by myself in the wee late hours of the night and think. In the months proceeding I had allowed myself to fret about these two wonderful young women whom I loved so much. I so badly wanted them to find companions to love and to create loving homes and families with. That night as I sat up alone in the dark I once again gave in to the worry. My worry turned to earnest prayer and my prayers led me to open my scriptures. I need to stop and acknowledge that we are taught to not seek after signs, but admittedly I was seeking a sign when I randomly opened my scriptures and looked to see if I would find comfort in the page that I had opened. Very soon a feeling came over me to turn the page. I turned the page and my eyes immediately fell upon a scripture that I don t recall ever reading but must have, and been touched by it because it was highlighted. D&C 98: Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in all things give thanks; 2. Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament- the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted 3. Therefore he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good and to my name s glory, saith the Lord. Immediately I fell to my knees and wept as I gave humble thanks for answering my earnest prayer in such an undeniable way. From that very moment I exchanged my fear for faith and no longer worried about my beloved girls. True to the passage, I allowed my heart to be comforted, and waited patiently on the Lord and in so doing my request was granted according to His own timetable. I know that our loving Heavenly Father stands ready to guide, comfort and bless us. I know that I feel more peaceful, more organized and certainly happier as I make my scriptures a priority in my busy life. I will be forever grateful for the tender mercy of a beautiful scripture on a dark and troubled night." -Kathy Baird "My testimony of the Book of Mormon is nothing profound or eloquent, it is simple, yet the depth of it s meaning and power in my life is immeasurable! I believe the Book of Mormon. I believe from experience that the Book of Mormon not only is a book of truth, teaching us 4

5 of Christ, but also holds a power to bless, encourage and change your life for good. More joy has been received, more peace has been found, more happiness attained through studying it s pages in my life than through any other medium. Most of all, I love that when reading the Book of Mormon, I feel more love, more forgiveness, more patience, more unexplainable inner peace and joy that helps me to be a better person, a more unconditionally loving Mother, a more thoughtful neighbor and friend. I feel a deeper connection to my Husband. I feel forgiveness not only to other s but also to myself for my own failings. I feel assured that I will return to live with my Father in Heaven and I am joyful, almost giddy with happiness at this prospect. I feel of his radiating love! I am truly, deeply happy. I love the Book of Mormon." -Sydney Garner "I download the scripture mp3's from lds.org and listen to them while exercising or ironing, something brain dead enough that I can get something out of the scriptures. I'm halfway through the Book of Mormon after two months- not bad. It's faster than I've ever read it. Temple attendance, prayer, and scripture reading are the minimum. When those are out of sync... so am I... every time. If those are happening, I'm able to cope with the rest." -Jan Forsberg "I learned many years ago that if I don't take the time each day to include the Lord in my life through heartfelt prayer and careful scripture study, I put myself at risk for being subject to greater opposition and temptation throughout the day. I've found the best time of day for scriptures is first thing in the morning when it's quiet and calm. I also listen to General Conference talks and scriptures on tapes and CD's as I'm doing kitchen work or folding laundry. Sometimes I look for a verse of scripture that I can focus on for a day and I post it above my kitchen sink and refer to it often. My children are so adept at memorizing scriptures that I love sharing my favorites with them. In my life, the effects of sincere scripture study are IMMEDIATE and POWERFUL!!! When I include the Lord in my life, EVERYTHING is ALWAYS BETTER!!!" -Alisa Gunn "Our stake offers a 'Sisters in the Scriptures' class once a week with a nursery provided. As I've made the effort to attend I have learned so much. I love listening to the testimonies of the other women in the class as they relate how various scriptures have affected their lives and their witness to truth and power of the scriptures. This year we are reading the Old Testament. I have found that between the weekly class I absolutely CRAVE the scriptures. I can't get enough of them. I find myself taking them everywhere just to fit in some time to read. I get so excited reading the details of the Old Testament stories. I love the strength 5

6 of character in the prophets as I read. My faith and testimony in my Savior has grown so much, I am so grateful." -Celeste Torman "At the moment, I m trying to complete the Old Testament all the way through something I ve never done before. If you re comparing scripture study to exercise, I d say the Old Testament feels like a class I once took at a gym. The class involved free weights, bars, bands, steps, and complicated maneuvers combining several of those items. I always felt like I had gotten an amazing workout by the end, but during the actual class, I felt clumsy and confused. Similarly, it takes concentration and effort and a tall stack of manuals and commentaries for me to understand much of what I m reading in the Old Testament, but I ve never felt so fulfilled by my daily study. I m continually amazed at how a verse written by someone living somewhere in Jerusalem in 800 B.C. can so specifically apply to my life as a new mom in Utah in If this happened once or twice in my life, I d write it all off as coincidence. But it s hard to ignore something that happens over and over again. My conviction that the Lord knows me personally has been strengthened immensely as I ve experienced the Old Testament. The Lord uses the scriptures to touch us in our individual lives because He knows us all and loves us more than we could ever comprehend." -Sarah McConkie 6