On Tuesday, January 20th, Elder Matthew S. Holland spoke to an audience of BYU students in a devotional titled “The Path and Power for Your Promised Land.” He began by quoting from President Ezra Taft Benson’s talk “The Book of Mormon – Keystone of Our Religion,” saying that “We must make the Book of Mormon the center focus of study because it was written for our day… If [Mormon] saw our day and chose the things which would be of greatest worth to us, is that not how we should study the Book of Mormon?” Elder Holland emphasized that the contents of the Book of Mormon were never meant for the Nephites and their day, and implores us to ponder why the Lord inspired Mormon or Moroni to include their respective additions, considering how it can serve us in our day.
He then discussed the Book of Mormon’s repeated theme of the “wilderness.” God commanded His prophets to abandon their homes and trek into the wilderness many times throughout the book, which was always a struggle for them. Elder Holland explained that when Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, they “left comfort, prosperity, prominence, safety, friends, and neighbors” for “pain, impoverishment, obscurity, danger, and isolation. Life often seemed boring, wasteful, and confusing.” Elder Holland acknowledged that, despite being on BYU’s campus (which should be a place of spiritual nourishment and fulfillment), BYU students may be in their own “wilderness” in a specific area of their life, feeling one or more of these negative emotions.
The solution he provided is simple: “Cling to the Book of Mormon.” In doing so, students will be able to realize that they aren’t alone, that everyone has their own trials and wilderness, and that these trials have a greater purpose in leading them to their Promised Land, just as Lehi and his family eventually arrived at theirs. Clinging to the Book of Mormon will also direct you to the path that leads to eternal life. This path, of course, begins with an active belief in Jesus Christ. As we cling to the Book of Mormon, cherish it, and make reading it a priority in our lives, Elder Holland says that we “will remain unshakable in difficulty and conquer in [our] aim to achieve [our] fullest potential and divine destiny.” Elder Holland then spoke of a personal experience regarding the loss of his father, President Jeffrey R. Holland. After remaining relatively stoic for two weeks following his passing, he broke down after realizing that he had to remove his father’s contact info from his phone. From within, he was told to read the Book of Mormon for comfort. Elder Holland went back from where he left off in Alma 58, a war chapter, and was able to find personal comfort and strength in verses 9 through 11. This serves as an example of how we can find value and spiritual power in any chapter of the Book of Mormon, even in places we wouldn’t expect. When we cling to the Book of Mormon, we cling to Jesus Christ and His divine power. He ends by saying that “Whatever you are facing, Jesus Christ is the way, and the Book of Mormon reveals this better than any book on Earth. I also declare that your wildernesses are waystations, not destinations.” Cling to the Book of Mormon, remain steadfast and active in your faith in Jesus Christ, and move towards your Promised Land, settling for nothing less.
