Through my journey in expanding my testimony and learning more about the gospel, I have found that one of the crucial ways in which I can draw nearer to Christ is through the scriptures. Consequently, it is of the utmost importance to read the Book of Mormon and ponder on the principles within this holy book of scriptures in my own life. Although some people doubt the legitimacy of the Book of Mormon, it is one of the most influential works of literature in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; the book accounts for Jesus’ resurrection and describes His time spent in the Americas after He rose from the dead; in short, it is another testament of the power and good works of God, an addition to the truths found in the Bible. I have always believed the Book of Mormon to be true, but it was not until I read the Spanish version that I developed a deep appreciation for my religion.

This past Christmas, my mother gave me three version of the Book of Mormon: Spanish, Arabic, and Dutch. I love learning languages, so I was eager to begin my journey in reading the scriptures in a language other than English. I decided to start with Spanish, and how thankful I am that I did! Despite being the same account of Christ as the English translation, I gained a newfound appreciation for the gospel. Not only that, but I have come closer to God than I ever was before. It is a great thing to have Christ in my life. After my experiences with sexual assault and mental illness, I have this persistent yearning in my heart for comfort and support; the Book of Mormon provides just what I need and allows me to feel the Holy Spirit when I feel lost. We all feel downtrodden and utterly alone at some point in our lives–that is why we can talk to Christ through prayer and feel His love through scriptures. He knows that we can endure the pain, whether it be physical, mental , or spiritual harm that we are experiencing. One of the things that encourages me to keep going is the scripture Mosiah 26:21 in the Book of Mormon, in which He says: Y el que quiera oir mi voz sera mi oveja; y lo recibiras en la iglesia, y yo tambien lo recibire.” In other words, “And he that will hear my voice will be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.” It is crucial to remember that no matter how you have sinned, God will always love you and is always there to embrace you and help you when you need Him most. That is probably the most important lesson that I have learned from reading the Book of Mormon.