the first time i read the book of mormon my life changed. i was just 18 and attempting to piece back together my life after a rough adolescent period. in the depths of my despair i opened this book and found hope and strength. each day as i read i became more convicted with the right way to live and the belief in the healing power of jesus. this incredible change i felt in my life, and the concurrent burning in my heart that the book, like the bible, really did come from god has guided my life and led me to happiness ever since.
i have a beautiful grey leather bound set of the bible and book of mormon together that i used as a missionary. i like keep it nice and take it with me to my sunday meetings. i also need an inexpensive "working" copy because i love to read in the bath (and i have been known to drop books in the bath), throw it in my purse to read when waiting places, and mark it up with any thoughts or impressions i get while studying. so i buy one at the thrift store to keep with me and beat up a little bit. i've also found that if i keep re-reading the same copy i don't pay attention to new ideas and impressions, but rather just read my old thoughts in the margin, so i get new copies frequently. i'm starting to amass quite a collection of books of mormon!
the other morning, i finished a heavily marked up and water-logged copy, the margins containing much of my desires and insights over the last year. as i closed the cover and thought about how much the book meant to me, i didn't want to just put it on the shelf to collect dust. i wondered, rather, if there was someone out there who i could send it to...someone who may need a buoying up, or has been curious about mormon beliefs, or who has been wanting to get some spirituality in their life.
please, if you feel like that could be you, i'd love to send off my beloved copy, with my heartfelt margin writings, to you. email me your address and i will send it to you. really, email me: kellymccaleb[at]hotmail.com.
ETA- the response in my inbox has been overwhelming and touching. i will contact each of you soon. i will send this copy to the first email i received, but of course, no one will be left out. please still email me if you'd like a copy. i am over the moon to share my favorite book with as many people as would like one. and i'd love to write some thoughts in each. thank you.
I'm going to try reading a fresh book of mormon more often. I'm always afraid of writing on the pages... don't want to get it dirty. Perhaps I'll read with a pencil and try it out.
Posted by: dan | October 27, 2009 at 03:29 PM
well that was a very sweet post. and how did you keep your mission set nice? mine is like ripped in half, but still my favorite.
Posted by: coco | October 27, 2009 at 03:46 PM
I am inspired. Thank you for this post kelly. I have been thinking all weekend about getting a Book of Mormon copy for my purse. One to mark up, to read in traffic, to read while waiting, to pull out in a time of need, to be ready to pass along if the opportunity arises. I love that you are offering to share this beloved copy.
Posted by: jane | October 27, 2009 at 03:59 PM
I loved reading your thoughts on the Book of Mormon. This book is very dear to me and has changed my life at the age of 18 as well. I hope you can find a good home for it. I do have a friend (active, lifelong member but going through a very rough spot right now) who we've been encouraging to read the BofM in its entirety. So let me know if you need to find a place to pass on your beloved copy.
Posted by: Jenn | October 27, 2009 at 04:12 PM
This is a beautiful post. My mother was LDS and she raised me my first eight years in the church too. She died five years ago, and I haven't been to church since, but I do remember that her faith was one of the things that made my childhood so great...the family home evenings, etc.
I hope you find a good home for your book. I kept my mother's and maybe someday I'll read it.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 27, 2009 at 04:17 PM
kel,
youve always been such a good example to me.
about life and the gospel.
especially when i was real scared about getting married in the temple, i just thought about what a great/spiritual/normal person you and my other friends are, and it really helped me through.
and you always give the best advice, kinda like dr laura, but way cuter.
i just loved loved this post.
Posted by: julie gillrie | October 27, 2009 at 04:31 PM
loved this post, kelly.
Posted by: abby | October 27, 2009 at 04:54 PM
What an example. You are just a lovely lovely person.
Posted by: Heather | October 27, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Hi! this is such a beautiful post on your strong faith. I love how open you are to sharing it with others and I am sure your copy will reach that right person:)
Posted by: cynthia | October 27, 2009 at 05:41 PM
you are an angel. I hope someone takes you up on that offer. I needed the reminder that I haven't done my reading today. Thanks!
Posted by: amanda jane | October 27, 2009 at 05:42 PM
You inspire me. I love how you share your testimony on your blog.
Posted by: Ashley S. | October 27, 2009 at 06:41 PM
You're awesome. I love this.
Posted by: Ashley | October 27, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Thank you for the inspiration. Your words have helped me to recommit to my own pursuit to read the entire Book of Mormon - and focus my life around it's Christ-centered teachings - during the upcoming Christmas and Easter seasons.
Posted by: Emi | October 27, 2009 at 07:27 PM
glad to see i'm not the only one who drops books in the bath-usually because i've fallen asleep. i also love the idea of a fresh book, for fresh perspective. thank you. i am definitely needing some faith boosting right now. thx for your example. love ya
Posted by: glor | October 27, 2009 at 08:11 PM
This is a totally tender gesture. And such a good idea.
Posted by: makayla | October 27, 2009 at 09:20 PM
I have had three visits with our local missionaries recently. We were meeting on Friday mornings until my daughter (young wife & mommy of two babies) was suddenly admitted into the hospital 2 weeks ago. She is home now but returning for more and more tests. What started as a potential gallbladder attack has turned into surgery, bone marrow testing...fear!
Wondering if God put you in my path...I would dearly love to recieve the copy you are offering so generously.
Thank you and please pray for my daughter. Thank you, Jo
Posted by: Jo Nguyen | October 27, 2009 at 09:20 PM
thank you for sharing your testimony here. it's one of the things that i love about your blog. i read a lot of different blogs and my faves are the lds mamas who share some of their faith along with their creative and life pursuits. i actually read several non-lds christian blogs because i love how they incorporate their love for christ in everything they do. as a life long member of the church reading the scriptures has never been my strength until several months ago a friend suggested that i try reading the whole book of mormon in 3 months or less. reading it fast like that made all the difference in the world for my understanding of it. i still struggle with keeping up the habit of daily scripture study but now i feel like the book of mormon is a deep well of strength just waiting for me to tap into. now i love it and i feel loved by heavenly father and my savior whenever i read it. thanks again for sharing pieces of your faith with me.
Posted by: trachelle | October 27, 2009 at 09:26 PM
i think that of all the counsel in the church, i struggle most with reading the scriptures. i got a triple combination leather-bound set when i was 8 and baptized. you have inspired me to start reading and finish it.
thank you.
Posted by: liko | October 28, 2009 at 01:08 AM
I've just found you and this was the first post I've read. What a great thing to be greeted by testimony.
It was fun to know that I'm not the only one that has several copies of the same book in the house. I find that each book with its vastly different notes reflects the different stages of my spiritual journey. A spiritual journal of sorts.
Where did you serve your mission? Have you mentioned that before? Hope you find the right home for this copy.
Posted by: Tanya | October 28, 2009 at 05:41 AM
Great idea!!
Posted by: Lo | October 28, 2009 at 09:31 AM
What a sweet post! To be honest I would really love this, as I have been curious for a while about the Book of Mormon, and I would love to read it with somebody's notes! A lot of the blogs I read are by mormons and I really enjoy the links NieNie puts up on her blog. I love that you all have such a deep connection to your faith- it's very admirable in today's world. However, commentor Jo Nguyen seems like she could use it more than I could
Posted by: Lindsay | October 28, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Thanks so much! My struggle with the church began when I turned 18, While I believe in the church, I don't go as often as I should and I should read the BOM and maybe I will start! I needed this pick me up!
Posted by: Kara | October 28, 2009 at 01:35 PM
thanks for the testimony. i read cjane's b of m post & all its comments last week when i couldn't sleep. it really rocked my world! can't explain exactly why, but it reconfirmed my testimony of this amazing book & reignited the fire to read it every day. i've been reading it every day, but more becuase i'm supposed to/to check it off my list. i'm reading it with love again. your added testimony is just another tender mercy from the Lord. i love my bible, especially the writings of paul, but there is just something so fantastic about the b of m. thanks for sharing. i love the idea of having multiple working copies & of giving it away. excellent idea. i know you will touch lives with it. and i really am feeling extra inspired to post about my own testimony now.
Posted by: h seever | October 28, 2009 at 03:12 PM
How lucky the recipient of your copy will be! You have inspired me. I bought a copy on my lunch hour today to keep in my purse and it's just waiting to be all marked up. Thank you.
Posted by: April | October 28, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Thank you for sharing your testimony. My scripture reading has fallen by the wayside as life gets in the way. This shouldn't be! Your inspiration is just what I needed. I'll be sure to let you know when I have finished reading the BoM again :)
Posted by: Joanne | October 29, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Hi Kelly -
I really enjoy reading your blog, and I admire your faith more than anything. I really know very little about Mormons, but since I started reading your blog and a few others (nienie included), I have learned more about it. The one consistency that I see is the deep faith and the daily conviction of "living right". It's inspirational to me. I am a Christian, and I do appreciate you being open about your faith. Keep up the good work! Happy Halloween! Kate is a doll (even as a witch) :-)
Posted by: TammyR | October 29, 2009 at 06:46 AM
i lov e your faith.i would love to know more about mormons tina
Posted by: tina terry | October 30, 2009 at 11:37 AM
What a great idea, I think I'll try reading a fresh BoM. Or maybe I'll dig out the missionary copy I read for the first time. I was 20 and it changed my life as well. Thanks for your testimony.
Posted by: Jo | November 01, 2009 at 08:08 PM
I would love to have a copy. I've never read it before and wouldn't know where to find it. I need a positive change and comfort in my life. I live in Tennessee but love reading your blog. :)
Ashley
Posted by: Ashley | November 02, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I want to follow your example. I had a friend today tell me that she is struggling with the church. I would love to share your post with her. I am going to buy a new Book of Mormon and begin creating my own love of the gospel to share with others. Thank you so much!
Posted by: janna runolfson | November 02, 2009 at 07:15 PM
I think this is my favorite post so far!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 03, 2009 at 04:42 PM
You are a such a lovely, kind woman.
Posted by: Susi | November 03, 2009 at 07:09 PM
love this! I do the same thing- marking up a cheaper copy.... but i've never thought to switch the copy. what you said about reading your old insights totally makes sense to me though, so i am going to have to get another copy next time! thanks for the idea and sharing your testimony of such an amazing book!
Posted by: Amy | November 05, 2009 at 05:10 PM
I made a commitment to read the Book of Mormon straight through a couple of months ago and I am only on 2 Nephi chapter 3. I have not really been reading as often as I could.(I've been too busy reading blogs and such, ha!) Anyway, thanks for helping me recommit. You really are inspiring!
Posted by: Leslie Sanders | November 06, 2009 at 10:23 AM
What a wonderful thing to do - to give your well-loved, marked copy to someone.
You have such a lovely blog. I'll have to stop by often.
Posted by: gina | November 07, 2009 at 09:03 PM
I would love to have a copy too- although I am Catholic, I am very curious about the Morman faith- and seem to keep being drawn back to it (thanks to you, Nie, Jordan and some others)...I would love to learn more.
xoxo
meg
Posted by: meg | November 08, 2009 at 05:50 AM
i am totally intrigued & spookily thinking about the blog entry i recently wrote about mormons & my desire to know more. somehow i am in love with the sense of community & all the fab women you have around you....and the crafting and families. if you are game pls check my blog post.
kaz xx
Posted by: kaz | November 11, 2009 at 02:59 AM
What a wonderful idea. I too have have the perfect, leather bound set I don't want to mess up. I have to start reading yet again and try your method... INK pen in hand!
Posted by: Nicki | November 22, 2009 at 03:30 PM