Write Away!

Bishop Mark's 5 - 10 minute talk topic idea
(For our Missionaries, or for those that might need it)

11/11/24

The Book of Mormon, a Father/Son Story

Elders,

My hope is that you are all doing fantastic no matter where you find yourselves in the world! We continue to pray for you and send our love your way!

What I wanted to cover with you today comes from a conversation that I had with one of my priests yesterday during our 1:1. We went through some mission conversation and what the next few months look like for him. Just normal stuff that all of you have gone through with me but remember, I always leave you with some homework for the week. I was impressed to give him homework around how to read the Book of Mormon and let it come alive! He gave me a look that said, "Bishop, you're a little crazy."..........That's fair........now grab your Book of Mormon and open up to the book of Mormon chapter 1:6.

This priest and I opened up to this verse and I had him read it. 

6 And it came to pass that I, being eleven years old, was carried by my father into the land southward, even to the land of Zarahemla.

I want to point out to this priest that the BOM can come alive if you're looking for moments of clarity or tender mercies. This priest read this verse, looked at me like I'm weird (it might have been the huge cheesy grin I had on my face) and I asked if anything stood out to him about this short random verse. 

He pointed out that Mormon was 11 years old when he traveled to Zarahemla. I agreed with him that I thought Mormon was cool to point out that he was very specific about his age. I then pointed out that what stood out to me in this short random verse is that this is the last time Mormon ever mentions his father. The only other time he mentions his father is in the 5th verse and he has a side comment letting us know that his Dad's name is Mormon. 

The priest, still looking at me like "Bishop, you're crazy if you think this is a cool verse of scripture!." Well, to me it is and this is why. Years and years ago it was pointed out to me how many references there are to father/son stories in the Book of Mormon. When I was younger I just brushed it to the side and focused on cool stories of heads and arms getting cut off and the massive wars that happened throughout the land. 

As I've gotten older and the more I've read the Book of Mormon year over year, Mormon has come alive to me. He is an amazing historian and an amazing wordsmith! Mormon compiled almost a thousand years of history of a people that had their ups and downs with their faith in Jesus Christ all the while fighting his own battles that lasted well into his old age and which eventually took his life. I can imagine the thousands of scars that he might have had, both physically and emotionally. 

For me, verse 6 is the catalyst of why I think (this is totally gospel according to Bishop Mark) there are so many father/son stories in the BOM. 

Verse 8 - war began to brew

Verse 11 - 30,000 Nephites gathered to go to battle and the Nephites were victorious

Verse 12 - 4 years of peace

Verse 15 - At the age of 15 Mormon was visited by the Lord. 

Why within 4 verses of scriptures does Mormon cover 4 years and his dad is never mentioned? I can't wait to ask Mormon when I see him someday but maybe, just maybe, something happened to his dad during that battle. Maybe his dad was killed in that battle. I know that's a lot of maybes but let lends itself well to why Mormon focused relationships between a father and sons throughout the BOM. 

As you think back throughout the book, think of all the stories and how many father and son stories can you come up with? As I read the Book of Mormon from this lens, I feel the stories. They come alive! These men and women matter to me and the message becomes louder. I'm anxious to start the book all over again once I finish to see what other small random verses stick out to me!

The Book of Mormon is absolutely true! I don't always have the right words to tell people why I love it because it means everything to me. It changed my life and I continue to see it change the lives of others!

Love you boys! Be good and work your guts out!

Bishop Mark