So. The Saints defeating the Colts was pretty cool. I enjoyed that a lot. We didn't watch the Super Bowl. But I bet it was a good game. I know the Colts were winning at first. I also know that The Who played at half-time! So lame! The first year I can't watch is the first year they have someone good perform! haha.

Russell has totally fallen off the horse. He was planning on going to a different church yesterday. We haven't talked to him to know if he went or what he thought. I find it strange that he could never find time to go to our church, but he certainly found time to go to theirs. I also find it odd with some investigators how, their friends never invite them to church until they hear that they're investigating the Mormon Church. Then suddenly they're all about inviting them to church.

Yesterday we taught the lesson in Elders Quorum. We read and discussed sections of a talk entitled "The Power of Preach My Gospel" by Richard G. Scott. It went very well. One of the brethren, who was here just visiting family this weekend, had an awesome story. He was using Preach My Gospel for his Family Home Evenings to teach his children. It has gone very well. His oldest child is 3 years old, by the way. They are teaching him the commandments found in Lesson 4 in Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel. They are showing to their son how God gives us commandments to make us happy, and parents do the same thing. Parents give their children rules and tell them to do things so that they'll be happy and safe. Anyways, he tells the story much better than I can, but he had a great experience.

I'm excited for my Birthday. We are having dinner at the Bishop's house(which is usually kind of lame in this ward). But I am going to make myself a delicious cake and eat almost all of it by myself. :) I'll give Elder Sherrick 1 or 2 slices. :)

Also, I'm very glad that you're reading the Book of Mormon. How important do you feel the Book of Mormon is to our Heavenly Father? In Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:54-58, we discover the answer to this question. Or a piece of it at least:

"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received--
Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written--
That they may bring forth fruit meet for the Father's kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and a judgement to be poured out upon the children of Zion."

Now, in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord refers to the church as "my church." And here He places it under condemnation. The church doesn't take the Book of Mormon seriously enough, and it upsets our Heavenly Father so much that he condemns his own church! Obviously, it must be pretty important. Now, why would it be so important? I think there are a lot of reasons. But I think we find one of the biggest reasons within the book's own pages. In Mormon Chapter 8, Moroni is writing. He and his father are putting the finishing touches on the Book of Mormon, and he has a this marvelous vision where he sees our day. in verse 35 we read:

"Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing."

Moroni is literally speaking to each of us. He saw us. Every one of us. He knew exactly who would be reading this book. And more importantly, he knew exactly what we are up against. He saw us, but he also saw what we would be facing. He saw the challenges and the trials and the calamities of our lives. So he wrote the Book of Mormon to address those things. He saw the problems we would face, then he went back and searched the history of his civilization for times when they faced the same problems. It is the only book of scripture written directly to us. The new testament was written to very specific people. Philemon, Titus, the Hebrews, etc. It contains valuable truths for us to learn and apply. But it was not written for us, unlike the Book of Mormon.

Sometimes when we are experiencing a trial and we can turn to the Book of Mormon and it will literally contain the answer, right within it's pages. It is a mind-blowing, heart-warming, faith-building experience when that happens. I have seen it happen. I know that it can.

But sometimes, the Book of Mormon may not literally contain the answer. It doesn't directly address all of our problems. It doesn't talk about the internet, or pornography, or gambling, or a host of other problems. But when we read it and strive to apply it's teachings, it will increase our faith and spiritual power. It will make us aware of our shortcomings. It will teach us how to repent and come unto Christ. And by doing all of this, it gives us the strength to overcome any problem we currently face. I promise you this. I have seen it. It works.

I challenge all of you to rise to a new sense of commitment. To set a goal to study the Book of Mormon every day. I know that you will be immensely blessed as you do so. You and your families will be able to overcome all of the problems that you face. I know that.

May our Heavenly Father bless you in this and all your endeavors, is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Bracken