By Melanie Craig
In response to President Gordon B. Hinckley?s challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, BYUSA is implementing ?Y Read,? a campus-wide initiative encouraging students to finish their reading in time.
?We find ourselves in a unique position,? said Adam Larson, president of BYUSA. ?There are two different ways we can serve the students: temporally and spiritually. We have now developed this program to help motivate the students spiritually.?
As part of the ?Y Read? program, BYUSA will be setting up booths around campus where volunteers will be passing out commitment cards. The cards include the quote from President Hinckley inviting everyone to take the challenge and a place for each student to sign and promise to finish the Book of Mormon by Dec. 31, 2005.
On the backside of the commitment card there is a reading chart so students can keep track of what they have read.
Also included on the card is an e-mail address where students are encouraged to send their testimonies. The testimonies will be compiled into a book of BYU students? testimonies and experiences with reading the Book of Mormon.
BYUSA will also be distributing copies of the Book of Mormon throughout the buildings on campus so students will have easy access to read while on campus.
In addition, an e-mail is being sent to all students ? which will inform them of what the ?Y Read? program is, and how they can get involved.
?If we can get 30,000 students reading the Book of Mormon, then we believe that respect, spirituality and unity will increase here on campus with our student body,? Larson said.
President Samuelson met with the BYUSA representatives and said he thought the challenge was a good opportunity to support the prophet and the Book of Mormon.
Chrissie Broadbent, BYUSA executive vice president said: ?There is no other place like BYU, where we, as students, can support such a challenge from our prophet.?
?Y Read? isn?t the only program on campus that is supporting the prophet?s challenge. Steve Southwick, a 21-year old finance major, along with the assistance of Professor Robert Couch from the Finance Department, started the Feast Upon the Word Club. The club meets Thursdays to read passages and share insights about their readings.
?With support from our club, BYUSA, and other places, we?re hoping that the support will build, and we can bring more of the spirit to campus,? Southwick said.
Students can find out more information about the club by visiting feastupontheword.org/byu.
