I Finally Finished

In January of 2011 I decided to make it a goal to read the Old Testament.  When I started out, I had no idea how long it was going to take me.  I had given myself a year, but I suffered an early set back when I discovered that reading it without a study manuel was getting me nowhere fast.  I started completely over when I was in Leviticus.  The other thing is, well, the old testament is huge and when you add in how large the study manuel is, that's a whole lot of reading.

This morning I officially finished and it feels awesome.  It took me 1 year and 7 months to complete.  I'm really happy it didn't take me 2 years because for awhile I was worried about not even having it finished by December.

I have learned so many things and have so many favorite people and lessons from the OT.  I love how the OT ends with Malachi.  After all the prophesied destruction and wickedness you are left with hope. The end has the key to everything we need to know, do and avoid.  From the beginning of time it was easier for the people to listen to dead prophets than it was to living ones.  They could interpret and add in whatever they wanted because they trusted their interpretations to justify their behaviors.  Who wants to listen to a live prophet telling you to repent and stop the evil traditions of your fathers?  The crazy thing is, we have to keep learning this over and over again.

How many excuses do you hear of why people have exempted themselves from the Prophets council? How many times and ways can we be told to;  keep the word of wisdom, get out of debt, build your food storage, keep the Sabbath holy (when you read the OT you begin to see how serious God is about the Sabbath) pay tithing, go to the temple, do family history, have charity, forgive, stand for the family etc.....

My understanding of how God works with his children has been increased.  The patterns and similitudes he uses to teach his children have become easier for me to identify.  The most unexpected thing that happened to me when I began a serious study of the OT was that my testimony of the Book of Mormon grew.   I thought I already had a solid testimony, but with my new eyes, I see how fragile it was compared to what it is now.  The roots have sunk deeper into my heart.  The God of the BOM is the God of the Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  And, the Book of Mormon really, truly IS "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

I am so excited to start my new journey with the New Testament and see where it leads me and my testimony.  The gospel becomes so powerful and exciting and real and joyful when you understand it and can relate it to your life.

One of my favorite songs that I beg the kids to sing each FHE is Scripture Power because it perfectly expresses how I feel when I read the scriptures (all the standard works).

1. Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can,

I’m reading His instructions, I’m following His plan.

Because I want the power His word will give to me,

I’m changing how I live, I’m changing what I’ll be.

2. I’ll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.

I’ll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.

I’ll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord,

And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward.

[Chorus]

Scripture power keeps me safe from sin.

Scripture power is the power to win.

Scripture power! Ev’ryday I need

The power that I get each time I read.