The old testament and the book of mormon

Hello all. I have been studying deeply the old testament and the book of Mormon together. If you have not tried this, I highly recommend it. After all, the Book of Mormon takes place in Old Testament times, and Lehi and his family are an old testament people, keeping the law of moses and performing all of the ordinances of the aaronic priesthood as commanded. Understanding the old testament really helps form the background for the Book of Mormon (and the New Testament too). I am deeply in love with the scriptures right now. There are so many important lessons to life and to the priesthood therein. I am about half-way through the Old Testament right now and loving every minute of it. On Tuesday we also visited the Museum of Anthropology, one of the most renowned museums of the world. We got to see 3 of the 27ish rooms. And spent 2 hours there. Needless to say, there is lots to see. It was interesting to see all the carved rocks and designs and pottery, but I was thinking how much cooler it is to have a record so complete about another similar people, the nephites and lamanites in the Book of Mormon. I have no doubt about the Book of Mormon and its verity. I have heard so many attacks on the book and how it can´t be true, but then I see how little these people know about religion, let alone the bible, that they completely discredit themselves. And one can´t deny an answer from God through the Holy Spirit. It always reminds me to Know what you believe, and believe what you know. Many times we are comfortable with hearing and believing. Or being dragged to church. Or being preached to by friends and family. But I think that every person, many times throughout his life, must stop, examine his life, and decide on what he believes, knows, and does. Distinguish between tradition and truth. That is another important topic. Some traditions are false, others are based on truth. Either one, we must decide which is which and decide if we are to continue it or abandon it. For example, the tradition that there are 3 wise men (here in mexico, they even have names) is a false tradition. We can go to the bible and read that there were wise men who came from the east bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But it never says how many men, and certainly does not give names. On the other hand, traditions such as Family Home Evening are based on truth. Words from the prophets are truth. Celebrating Christmas, although Christ was not born in December, is a way to honor and recognize that most holy event. All must stop and decide if the traditions that they grew up with and learned are true or false. Then act and defend the truth and abandon that which is false. Well those are just a few commentaries based on some of the problems I have faced as a missionary. Let us all be sure of our faith and be able to defend it. God does not like luke-warm disciples. He spits them out, or vomits them. We don´t want that. I love you all. Take care. See you in a year and a month. Elder Bunker