I’m not going to lie – sometimes it’s really hard for me to read my scriptures every single day. I did a pretty good job in high school while I was attending Seminary and on my mission, but other than that it’s been a struggle at times. A lot of it boils down to laziness and not prioritizing my time very well.

However, it’s always worth it to read your scriptures, even if it’s just for five verses. When I take the time to sit down and read the word of God, I learn something new. I receive hope during difficult situations and the determination to keep going when things are great.

The most powerful experience I ever had while reading The Book of Mormon came on May 21, 2012. Let me give you a bit of background though.

In March 2012 I began dating my very first boyfriend. Looking back, we shouldn’t have gotten into a relationship because we were both preparing to serve missions [kids, learn from my mistake – never get seriously involved with someone before your mission]. But we decided to go for it anyway.

In April he left Rexburg after the semester ended and I stayed up there to finish my last term. He went home to prepare for his mission. At first I thought we’d be able to handle the long distance, but it very quickly began taking its toll on me. The communication started fading and I could feel a breakup coming, though I was hoping it wouldn’t.

There was one occasion where I couldn’t take the stress anymore. I fell down on my knees and began praying, crying all the while, asking Heavenly Father to please help me carry this burden because I just couldn’t do it anymore. After that prayer I felt an immense peace and comfort settle over the anxiety and worry I was feeling. It was as if the Lord were saying, “I’ve got you. It’s okay. I’m here.”

A few weeks later, on May 20th, I said another little prayer, asking for more help. A distinct feeling of, “I’ve got this covered,” put me at ease. Not even ten minutes later, my boyfriend called. And he broke up with me.

Even though I’d been expecting a breakup, it was still a massive shock to my system. I think first breakups are always pretty dramatic. Mine was. I definitely cried all night, couldn’t sleep, and then had to drag myself to take a literature test the next morning. How I walked away with a C, I have no idea – I credit the grace of God to that one.

When I got home I had quite a bit of time before my first class and no one else was in the apartment. I cracked open my Book of Mormon for the first time in weeks. Instead of starting where I’d left off, I decided to pick up where we were in my Book of Mormon class.

We’d gotten to 3 Nephi chapter 1. In this part of The Book of Mormon, a group of people – the Nephites – have divided into two groups: the righteous Nephites are looking forward to the sign of Christ’s birth, which had been prophesied about; the wicked Nephites don’t believe in the sign and get tired of the righteous Nephites. Eventually this wicked group says, “Okay, if your sign doesn’t come by this particular day, we’re going to kill you all.”

Of course the righteous Nephites are nervous and scared. The day draws nearer and nearer, and the sign doesn’t appear. On the day before they’re all to be killed, they ask their prophet, named Nephi, to pray to the Lord to spare them.

Nephi does so, and he basically asks God, “Where are you? We’ve been faithful and waiting for the sign of our Savior’s birth, and it hasn’t come. Now we’re going to be killed. Seriously? Where are you?”

And this is the answer Nephi got to his prayer:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” – 3 Nephi 1:13

When I read that verse, I started crying. The entire time I’d been reading I could sympathize with the righteous Nephites. I understood the negative emotions they were feeling. I felt a little lost and lonely, too.

But when I read verse 13, I realized that Heavenly Father didn’t want me to be unhappy. He wanted me to find joy in this life. Though a promise hadn’t been spoken to me by a prophet, I’d heard the comforting whispers of the Spirit severl times telling me everything was going to be okay. I knew God didn’t lie. Even though I was hurting right now, in time everything would be okay.

And you know it? It ended up fine. It took awhile to completely get over my first boyfriend. But I served a successful mission. I returned home with honor. I met amazing people. I grew. I’m set to return to Rexburg to finish my schooling. I’m so incredibly happy and content with life right now.

To this day, that scripture brings me a lot of peace. It taught me how much the Lord really does love us, and how He’s always looking out for us. He’s more aware of you than you think He is. And if we just let go and trust Him … He will bless us more than we can imagine.