Holy Men

I had a very powerful experience this evening at a special regional priesthood leader training meeting on addictions. One of the things that impressed me the most was President Clark's concluding message. He shared this quote from the "Words of Mormon" in the Book of Mormon:

17 For behold, king Benjamin was a ^aholy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with ^bpower and with authority;

Elder Clark told us that those gathered there needed to be the "holy men" in our land today. He challenged us to do whatever we needed to increase in holiness and promised us that as we do so we will be able to "speak the word of God with power and with authority." I think it cause all of us there to examine ourselves and inspired us to do better.

Believe in the Lord Their Redeemer

On this Easter Sunday I am newly impressed with the focus on Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. It shouldn't really be surprising since it is "another testament of Jesus Christ," but in my current reading I am noticing it perhaps more than ever.

Just in my recent reading of 1 Nephi 19, Nephi emphasizes:

18 And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that

perhaps I might persuade them that they would ^aremember theLord their Redeemer.

23 ....but that I might more fully persuade them

to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that

which was written by the prophet ^bIsaiah...

In fact the title page of the Book of Mormon tells us it's primary purpose is:

"And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ"

I am very grateful on this Easter Sunday for the Savior and the hope we have in his resurrection and atonement. I am also thankful for the Book of Mormon, that is an additional reference and inspiration when it comes to His life and work. And while I value the marvelous lessons in the Book of Mormon about faith and hope and deliverance and mighty prayer and tender mercies etc. , I have a goal as I continue my study of this holy scripture this year to look for and appreciate more the teachings about the Lord, our Redeemer.