I have a very real testimony of the Book of Mormon. I am in the process of sharing this sacred book with a friend of mine who is going through some rough stuff. I am always extremely nervous and afraid of sharing the Book of Mormon because it is so sacred and special to me; I don't want anyone to reject it or defile it in any way. However, in my Sunday School lesson this past Sunday, we were discussing sharing the gospel with others. The teacher, a girl named Losa who lives across the hall from me, shared a dream that she had several years ago. She dreamed about being the spirit world after her death and finding a really good friend she'd had. Her friend came up to her, seeming angry, and asked Losa, "Why didn't you tell me? You knew all this and didn't tell me...why?" She shared her thoughts about this experience and she told us that she knew that she never wanted that to happen. She wanted to share the gospel with everyone she encountered so even if they rejected the gospel, at least she had the chance to share with them what she knew and believed to be true. Since then, I've been thinking a lot about sending my friend a Book of Mormon. Yes of course, I'm scared to death about what they might think, but this friend has often wondered why I'm always happy, so I was able to write my testimony down and talk about how the gospel is what makes me happy. President Ezra Taft Benson has said:

"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."

Marion G. Romney has also given counsel on this topic:

"...I counsel you, my beloved brothers and sister and friends everywhere, to make reading in the Book of Mormon a few minutes each day a lifelong practice. I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ--will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness."