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.