One of the great quotes that profoundly influenced my life was from President Ezra Taft Benson’s historic ‘condemnation’ talk in October Conference 1986. It is entitled “The Keystone of our Religion”. I remember exactly where I was when I heard these powerful words:

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. I implore you with all my heart that you consider with great solemnity the importance of the Book of Mormon to you personally and to the Church collectively. Let us not remain under condemnation, with its scourge and judgment, by treating lightly this great and marvelous gift the Lord has given to us. (See D&C 84:54–58.) Rather, let us win the promises associated with treasuring it up in our hearts.”

A prophet of the Lord declared that we were under condemnation as individuals and as a church for not reading the Book of Mormon – however he also detailed the promised blessings we could receive if we repented and studied it faithfully. From that day forward, this has been the Keystone of my religious study. We have tried to make it a daily part of our family time. I can testify that the power and promises that President Benson prophesied of are real. None of us can afford to live without this “divine gift”.