Book of Mormon Read a Thon

This is a copy of an email I got last week:

Book of Mormon Read-a-Thon

 

Overview:  This summer our youth will gather together for a two-day Book of Mormon Read-a-Thon.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to increase testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and to strengthen the camaraderie of our youth.  Make no mistake, this is a marathon.  It will be difficult.  However, the benefits will certainly be worth any sacrifice we make in reading this sacred book of scripture. 

 

When:  July 29-30

 

Where:  Bailey Home.  1004 Pecos Court.

 

Youth Ages:  14 and up are expected to participate.  Beehives and Deacons are invited to attend.  

 

What Youth Should/Should Not Bring:  Please bring scriptures, marking pencils, sleeping bags, pillows, snack food to share.  Please do not bring cell phones and/or other electronics.

 

Schedule:  Since it takes approximately 24 hours to listen to the Book of Mormon, our schedule will be as follows:

 

            July 29             8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

            July 30             8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

 

Food:  Parents of the youth will volunteer to provide all of the meals for the Read-a-Thon.  Food should be brought in “ready-to-eat”, so that our meal stops only take 15-20 minutes.  Snacks and water bottles will be available continually throughout the event. 

 

How it Works:  We will listen to the Book of Mormon on CD at 1.5 times the normal speed, while the youth read and mark along.  Occasionally, we will pause to talk about certain sections and what insights they have gained.  Since this is truly a test of endurance, the youth are free to lounge on the floor, grab a snack, use the restroom, etc. as needed. 

 

My Son or Daughter Cannot Attend the Entire Event:  Of course, we encourage the youth to attend the Read-a-Thon even if they cannot attend the entire event.  That said, we sincerely hope that parents and youth will make this event a priority and strive to attend the entire event.

 

Sharing Testimony:  We will break as often as possible for the sharing of testimonies.  Scheduled testimony breaks will occur at the end of Mosiah, the end of 3 Nephi and at the conclusion of the Read-a-Thon.  When the Read-a-Thon is completed, we will gather in a circle and take turns discussing the best parts of the experience and how our testimonies have increased.  We will conclude with a kneeling prayer and will encourage the youth to take Moroni’s challenge.

After reading this out loud to everyone within 100 feet of me on the day that I got it, and barely getting through it without crying, I realized there was NO WAY I was missing this incredible opportunity.  I'm not in the youth program, but I LOVE the Book of Mormon.  I read the part where they sincerely hoped "that PARENTS and youth will make this event a priority and strive TO ATTEND THE ENTIRE EVENT" and that was pretty much all I needed to feel perfectly comfortable inviting myself to attend the entire event with my daughters.  (It's a good thing those girls like me because I'm everywhere with them lately.)    

There is no experience that equals the feeling of reading the Book of Mormon straight through in 24 hours (12 hours yesterday/12 hours today) surrounded by 20 kids who have the same goal in mind.  I have much to say about this activity, but I'm completely exhausted, so it's going to have to wait until tomorrow.  

...just wanted you to know where I've been for the last 2 days.