A Prophet’s Invitation: Study the Book of Mormon

By President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018)

From an April 2017 general conference address.

I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.

We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.

If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.

I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.

President Thomas S. Monson

Illustrations by Andrew Roberts and Getty Images

Met his wife, Frances, at a dance.
He worked in the newspaper and printing industry.
When he was eight years old, he started a fire in a canyon.
Born August 21, 1927, and died January 2, 2018, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
He studied business at the University of Utah.
Sustained as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 5, 2008
He was called to be an Apostle on October 3, 1963.
Joined the Navyin 1945, at age 18
In 1959, he was called to be a mission president in Toronto, Canada.
He was called as a bishop in 1950. The ward had 1,060 members.
Married Frances Johnson October 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple
While serving as an Apostle, he earned his master’s degree at BYU.
Raised pigeons as a young boy
In the October 2008 general conference, he wiggled his ears as he told a story.
Loved to go fishing.
He was good at checkers.
He donated his own suits, dress shirts, and shoes to give to people in East Germany when he was on assignment.
3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren