When my grandson Andrew was seven, his primary teacher challenged his class to read the Book of Mormon for 100 days in a row.
Andrew started reading and made it to 20 days when he missed a day. So he started over. Then he made it to 25 and missed a day again.
He wrote to his grandfather, "I was a little mad, but I tried really hard the next time. I got into the habit of reading my scriptures every night. I picked them up without thinking about it. Then I got to 100 days. When I was done, I thought, now I can stop. But my mom said I should keep reading. So I did, and I got really good at it. My brother decided he would start too. I was happy that he started so he would get into this good habit. He finished the Book of Mormon before he was baptized. My cousin also started reading the scriptures. I was happy that he did and that he is still doing it. I'm still reading the scriptures and haven't missed a day yet. Now I'm 12, and I've been reading scriptures for over four years."
But the story doesn't end there.
Andrew and his cousin come to visit Elder Martino when he was on assignment at the Missionary Training Center in Guatemala. They shared their story about reading the scriptures. The missionaries were impressed by Andrew and his cousin's commitment.
I'm grateful for Andrew's example. Not only did he inspire his brother and cousins, but he also touched the hearts of the missionaries. Imagine how many others were inspired as a result of the missionaries who followed Andrew's example.
I'm grateful that Andrew learned the importance of scriptures. The scriptures have the power to change our lives and the lives of others, no matter how young we are when we read them.
