A Challenge to Act

I really want to get this out there, I think it is an amazing idea, it counts for my Book of Mormon post, and it starts tomorrow. Whaaa? is probably what you're all thinking. A few weeks ago, I wrote an email to one of my best friends who is currently serving a mission. I told her about this fantastic thing I had learned about in Book of Mormon - digging for diamonds while reading the Book of Mormon (or any book of scripture for that matter). There are three basic parts to finding diamonds:

1. Dig for it – basic reading of the scriptures

2. Find the diamond in the rough – principles and doctrines found in the scriptures

3. Shape and polish the diamond – application 

     I really want to focus on application today.  This week, we finished studying the book of Ether, and part of what we talked about was acting. Ether 12:3 says "believe in God unto repentance." Belief is different that faith. In fact, there's a HUGE difference. Belief comes from logic a lot of the time. Faith leads you to take action. Belief doesn't always leave you to act. Faith comes from the heart. I wrote this in my notes: 

   "What you know, what you've been taught, what you've learned, you need to act on it. Integrate it. Live it. Ingrain it. Love it. Share it." 

And I realized, that's what I need to do. I need to act on what I'm learning. I made a goal that for conference this weekend, I would take note of the things that I need to act on, and then actually act. I've also realized that my scripture study will mean more if I act on what I learn and apply it. My professor is always asking things like, "what does this mean for the 2014 BYU student?" What does it mean for YOU? 

 A friend from elementary school, Sister Isaak, is also serving a mission, and I love reading her mission blog. Her email home on February 3 was absolutely perfect for me. It was exactly what I needed. She talked about how she was read the Book of Mormon constantly, praying to have a love for it, and finding things that applied to both her life and the lives of her investigators. I've decided to do this in my own life, and it so happens that tomorrow kicks off a challenge that goes perfectly with this. 

 Some of you may have heard of this. The Book of Mormon was translated from April 7 to June 30 in 1829. A challenge has been issued to read and finish the book cover to cover during that time period, starting tomorrow and going until June 30.  I'm taking the challenge, as well as the idea from Sister Isaak, and I invite you to do the same. Read about the Book of Mormon Translation Challenge HERE, and read the email from Sister Isaak HERE. Good luck, and I want to hear about how it goes! I'll be posting about it as well!