How Did I Live without the Book of Mormon?

By Romeu Flávio Balanga, Luanda, Angola

My individual and family study of the Book of Mormon has helped me feel calm, encouraged, and hopeful.

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family reading the scriptures together

Photograph courtesy of the author

Some time ago, a friend and I applied for an educational program. I was confident I would be selected. When the results came out, I was disappointed that my friend was selected but I was not. I felt wronged because I thought I deserved to be selected more than my friend.

At that moment, I saw my friend as an opponent or someone who had taken something that belonged to me. A few days later, while studying Jacob 2 in the Book of Mormon, I read how Jacob had rebuked his people for their sins. One of those sins was pride.

Jacob’s teachings made me realize that I was committing the sin of pride toward my friend by thinking I deserved something given to him. Jacob’s words were a revelation to me:

“Let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!

“Think of your brethren like unto yourselves” (Jacob 2:16–17).

I prayed to Heavenly Father to forgive me and to help me avoid the sin of pride in the future. Then I spoke to my friend about how I had felt and asked him to forgive me. I felt peace and joy in doing so and in receiving forgiveness from him and from Heavenly Father.

My individual and family study of the Book of Mormon has given me a sense of direction and helped me feel calm, encouraged, and hopeful. Sometimes I wonder how I managed to live for many years without the Book of Mormon!

Without the Book of Mormon, I would not have hope that I could become a better person. My life would be empty and without a clear purpose. I would not know that God has a plan of salvation for His children. I would not have a clear understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I would not have hope for a better world. I would not believe the things I believe, do the things I do, think the way I think, and be who I am.

Through the Book of Mormon, I have received assurance that God loves and cares for all of His children in all parts of the world. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ.