A lot of things have happened at our house, so far this summer. Not the least of which was Amanda's marriage to Christopher Christiansen. Since I just received the wedding pictures from the photographer, I will have a blog about that day coming soon.
However, something else happened just yesterday that I felt the need to share. It isn't anything new in my life. I've done this more times than I can count. This time, I needed to express my feelings about it.
When I was 12 years-old, my parents introduced my siblings and me to a pair of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elders Call and Bates taught us the Gospel of Jesus Christ and introduced us to the Book of Mormon along with the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I grew up without ever having heard the word "mormon", and yet their message sounded so familiar to me. It was like something I had always known, but forgotten somehow.
Since that time, I have read and re-read the Book of Mormon more times than I can remember. Each time I do, I learn something new, or gain an insight that I never had before. Yesterday, I finished reading this marvelous book again.
I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a record of the ancient inhabitants of this land, and contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It goes hand-in-hand with the Holy Bible. Indeed, it is another testament of Jesus Christ. Because of this book, I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ died for my sins. I know He is my Savior and Redeemer. He knows me, loves me, and is always there when I need Him. I know that by reading and following the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, I live a better, more fulfilled, and happier life.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that he saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I know that through him, the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. I know that by the power of God, Joseph Smith translated the ancient record into what we have today as the Book of Mormon.
At the end of the Book of Mormon, there is a verse of scripture that includes a challenge and a promise. Moroni, the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon says: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
All those years ago, when I first read the Book of Mormon, I took Moroni's challenge to heart and I asked God if this book was true...if the story of Joseph Smith was true. I can't truly describe what I felt in answer to that prayer. It was peace, and assurance and a deep abiding certainty that these things were indeed from God.
From that day to this, every time I finish reading the Book of Mormon, that certainty is reaffirmed. Every good and precious thing in my life has come because I took that challenge and found the truth for myself. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for having mercy on a 12 year-old girl, and bringing the gift of His Gospel into her life!
