Dear Elders and Sisters,
Congratulations on a wonderful harvest of souls during the month of April! Thank you for your faith. Thank you for serving the Lord with all of your heart. Each of the people you baptized is very precious to our Father in Heaven. Rejoice with them now and prepare to rejoice with them for eternity.
We recently concluded our zone conferences. During those conferences I shared the invitation of our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, to read the Book of Mormon every day. In his short, but powerful, keynote talk on Sunday morning he said:
"This morning 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 His gospel will hep see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so.
My dear associates in the work of the Lord, 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:
1. Hear the voice of the Spirit,
2. Resist temptation,
3. Overcome doubt and fear,
4. Receive heaven's help in our lives."
Every one of you raised your hand and made the serious promise to read the Book of Mormon every day of your life. As your mission president, I echo and reaffirm President Monson's invitation and promises. Throughout your life you will need those four promises.
Remember, as you read the Book of Mormon, always pray for the Spirit. It is interesting that President Monson asked us to not only read the book, but to "study, ponder, and apply" its teachings in our lives. The purpose of reading the book every day is not to learn more facts or to remember the stories. The purpose of reading the book is to experience what the people of King Benjamin experienced after learning the gospel: "The Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2) The purpose of reading every day to to change our lives.
The promise you made is a serious commitment. As you keep the promise, the four blessings will flow into your lives in a wonderful way. Everyone who makes this promise and keeps it will be blessed.
Thank you for being obedient, faithful servants of the Lord.
Mahal ko po kayo,
President Creg Ostler