The last few weeks I've cheated and shared the testimonies of others... But I figured it would be a good thing to share my own testimony of something that I know to be true; Namely the Book of Mormon.
I know that it is the Word of God. That it testifies that Jesus is the Christ. It is a companion to the Bible. They support and uphold one another and they contain the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is physical, tangible evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Matthew 7: 16-20 helps us understand that it is one of the fruits of Joseph Smith. One of the many testimonies that verifies him to be a prophet. I know that as we read the Book of Mormon, and honestly seek to have answers from God that it is true, that we will come to know that it is true. I know that, as Joseph Smith said, "...[The Book of Mormon] is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
God lives. He loves us. And because He loves us He has given us many things to help us in our lives to be able to return to live with Him again. One of those things is the Book of Mormon. Of this I testify, in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
One of my favorite prophets is from the Book of Mormon. His name is Nephi. He is one of my favorite prophets because of his powerful testimony and the wonderful language he uses to help us understand things that are important. The most important thing that he talks about is regarding our Savior, Jesus Christ...
2 Nephi 25:26
- And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. That through Him we may receive a remission of our sins and be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Here is one of my favorite hymns sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Anyone who has talked with me before knows that I have a real love of any off-road vehicle, especially Jeeps! I love looking at pictures of modified vehicles and watching videos of those vehicles conquer seemingly impossible obstacles! One of my favorites to watch are called "mud-boggers". These are trucks specifically designed to go through thick, gooey mud. One of the keys to safely navigating through this mud is building up speed and momentum, and not letting the mud bog you down.
I've noticed that sometimes in life we are faced with challenges or temptations, that if we let them, can act like sticky, gooey mud for us spiritually. If we don't have the momentum of staying close to the Lord we can get caught in the "mud bog". I've come to know those momentum-builders are easy things to do; simply reading your scriptures, and praying daily. Attending church and searching for the opportunities to make correct choices in our lives. If we try and start when the temptation or challenge comes... It's often too late. We have a much better chance of getting stuck by starting late than we would if we had built up the speed in preparation for the difficult times.
Trudi is a wonderful lady from Washington who got baptized a few months ago. She recently came to Utah to attend a special week of conferences at BYU called Education Week. It is a series of lectures that talk all about different Gospel and spiritual principles. While she was here I had the pleasure of meeting her. Her conviction and the power of her testimony is really something that testifies to me once more that God is there. He loves us. He wants us to be able to return to live with Him again, and so He shares with us sacred truths that help us make the choices that will enable us to return to live with Him again. With her permission, I share a portion of her testimony...
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The only way by which men and women can return to live with God again. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that this is made possible.
So strong is our belief, and faith in Jesus Christ that the prophet Joseph Smith said, " The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it" (History of the Church, 3:30).
This is a video produced by the LDS Church that chronicles part of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. That His Atonement makes it possible for me and everybody who has ever lived on this earth to return to live with their Heavenly Father once more. If you have any other questions or would like to speak with missionaries about more of our beliefs just message me.
Being as today is Sunday you'll probably find that most of your friends who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent a portion of their day at church. But have you ever wondered why??
In the Book of Mormon, in the book of Moroni, it talks about the ancient church and the important things that the believers in Jesus Christ did when they gathered together to worship...
Moro. 6: 5-6, 9
5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.
6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.
• • •
9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
So now we know about the important things that members of Christ's ancient church did... But have you ever wondered what happens in an LDS Church meeting today? Watch this!
Today I found something that is exciting for me as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! There's a new video on the website mormonsmadesimple.com. This is a website dedicated to making short cartoon videos that help explain the basic beliefs of the LDS Church and also explain a little more about us. From missionaries, to what goes on in a church service. Today there is a new one though!!
It's the story of the Restoration through the prophet Joseph Smith. For anyone who doesn't know we believe that the church that Christ originally organized on the earth was lost over a long period of time after His death and the death of His Apostles. Because of this there was a need for it to be brought back in its fullness to the earth once more, so that we could enjoy all the blessings of being members of Christ's Church! This was brought about by the prophet Joseph Smith. Here's the video that explains briefly what happened.
I know, I know, I'm FINALLY posting again! I've been a little MIA the last month or so, as the date of my last post shows. :) But we're back in business folks! So get excited for all the uplifting posts about God you can handle!
