Each time we come to the end of the Book of Mormon, there is a sense of accumulated treasure left in the heart—treasure that resounds with spiritual glory and hope. Over the years, my wife and I have found that one question in particular seems to be a perennial favorite for encouraging discussion in teaching environments at Church and at home: “What is your favorite scripture?” or “Which scripture has special meaning in your life?” Such questions invariably invite the recall of a cherished memory—one in which a nourishing connection with the Spirit has left a bright mile marker along the pathway of life.
Book of Mormon favorites that frequently come up include such universally valued passages as Nephi’s famous pronouncement which begins: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded… .” (1 Nephi. 3:7) or Lehi’s couplet: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). King Benjamin is often remembered with his inspired reminder: “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Similarly, Alma’s famous comparison of faith to a seed (see Alma 32) is often cited, as is his fatherly counsel to his son Corianton: “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). People often refer to favorite passages in 3 Nephi, particularly those in which the Savior blesses the little children: “and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them” (3 Nephi 17:21). Often the passage from Ether is recalled where the Lord promises that His grace will compensate for our weaknesses: “for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27). Understandably, Moroni’s benedictory statement, “And when ye shall receive these things…” (Moroni 10:4) is seldom overlooked. And so it goes—the Book of Mormon is a veritable trove of treasured morsels.
Let us never forget the devotion and tireless investment of time and effort that the Lord’s prophets have brought to bear in compiling and preserving the words of the Book of Mormon—often at great peril to their own lives. Imagine the great void that would be left if passages such as those cited above—and countless other priceless guidelines of wisdom from the Book of Mormon—were suddenly removed from our lives. Yes, the other scriptures would be there to strengthen and inspire; however, we would lack “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”—a heavenly gift that the Lord, in His infinite mercy and charity, deemed expedient to come into our lives as part of the Restoration. As one of our young institute students wrote to my wife and me following a class several years ago: “It is so interesting for me to note that every time I read the Book of Mormon I can feel and know of its truthfulness! It is true! In the past little while I have really seen how the principles of the Book of Mormon (gospel) can really bring us true happiness! They bring us happiness because they bring us to the Savior! We feel his light and love! This precious book talks of Christ! It rejoices in him! It teaches us how to come unto him and be perfected in him! It motivates us to do it! What a blessing it has been to come to feel the Spirit each week and be nourished by the good word of God! The gospel is so true! The plan our Father has for us is perfect, and if we follow it, we’ll find TRUE PEACE and joy!” (Richard J. Allen)