The First Time I have Seen and Touched This Book!

 Dear Friends and Neighbors: 

Wanna read a good book?  Try the Book of Mormon—it’s the best of all current books!  It may not be on the top 10 best seller list but it is on the top of the top reader’s list.  You’ll like it!  You can be one of the top readers too!  Read Sister Taylor’s recent experience with  sharing the Book!

 

George & Debbie Taylor

The First Time I Have Seen

And Touched This Book!

During the Open House of the new Missionary Training Center we had the wonderful opportunity of escorting the Catholic Bishop of a very large diocese here in Manila.  He lingered with us for two hours or more.  The Bishop’s personal responsibility is to serve over one and one half million members!  What a challenge for him!  Just think how it would be for our bishop to try to help so many! We have now escorted two Catholic bishops through the MTC—both men gracious and appreciative! 

This dear man asked why he was honored to receive an invitation to the Open House. He was sincerely interested in learning about the Church; he asked many questions.  The President and I explained that Jesus Christ is our Lord and our Savior; He invites all to “Come unto Him.”

“Who is Joseph Smith?” He asked.

“He is a prophet of the Latter-Days like was Moses of earlier days of old.  Joseph saw and spoke with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He was told the location of the ancient record of the Savior’s visit to the America’s after His resurrection. Because of Joseph Smith we have “Another Testament of Christ,” The Book of Mormon.

As we walked down the hall we came to the table where was laid a copy of the Book of Mormon translated into Tagalog. The Bishop stood before the book gently touching the cover and said, “This is the first time I have ever seen or touched this book!” He stood reverently for what seemed a long time. I was moved by his sincerity and the value he showed for “The Book of Mormon.”

I wondered if I appreciated the book as he appeared to appreciate it.  Do I take it for granted because I have known about it for so many years?  We have many copies sitting on our shelves in our MTC storage room.  We provide a copy to each missionary to give to other interested persons. 

As I was thinking, I remembered Joseph Smith’s history; I tried to imagine his excitement as he was told about the sacred plates and then actually seeing them after he had pried away the stone.  It was difficult for him to refrain from touching and holding them.  Even now, I can feel his disappointment as he was forbidden to touch them until four years would pass away. What a test of obedience and patience!

This experience made me think of the similarity between the Bishop and Joseph Smith.

I asked the Bishop if he wanted to have a copy. His face lit up and responded, “Oh yes, May I? I want to read it and put it in our library!” I asked him which language he would prefer, “English or Tagalog?” He said that most of the Bishops read Tagalog. “Would you like an English book also?” I asked.  “That would be wonderful, because the English copy can be for me and the Tagalog copy can be for the library. I’m sure the other Bishops will be interested in reading it.”  

As he was leaving the Open House I asked if he would read my favorite passages about the Savior’s visit to the people after His resurrection. “I love that part in the Book; I always feel the Savior’s nearness to me.  I know that you will too!” I testified of its truth.

I am thankful for this moment we had to remember the great worth of “The Book of Mormon” and the privilege of seeing, holding, and reading it’s inspiring words. (1 Nephi 19:7; 2 Nephi 33:2).

 Debra S. Taylor

March 5, 2012