Straight to the Source. The Book of Mormon

I wanted to share with you my overwhelming gratitude for the Book of Mormon. I have read this book cover to cover 6 times in my life. What is in this book has changed my view on life.  It is not just a book of enjoyable stories but the words of God. The Book of Mormon has tremendously deepened my belief in God and Jesus Christ. A central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. By reading the Book of Mormon I have grown in understanding of who my Redeemer truly is. What the Book of Mormon teaches is real.  The words in this book have healed my soul. Strengthened me. Helped me to press on in times of hard ship. The Book of Mormon uplifts. I am so grateful God still communicates to His children as I have learned from the Book of Mormon.

You may ask, How can just a book heal you?

It's not the Book that heals you, but how much closer the Book of Mormon brings you to your Savior. Your Savior heals you not the book. Have you read the Book of Mormon how it is intended to be read? Do you want to know if the Book of Mormon is true? If you do not have an answer, ask yourself if it's truth is a possibility. Is it possible the book is true? I suggest you read it. How can anyone form a trust worthy opinion for themselves if all they hear and believe is from a secondary source. The only way you can form a trust worthy opinion of the Book of Mormon is to read it for yourself. The early Mormon saints willingly gave up their beloved belongings and careers to follow the prophet Joseph Smith. Why would anyone put themselves through such hardship, unless they knew God was real. What is in the Book of Mormon is real. Joseph Smith was martyred because he testified of Jesus Christ. Why would Joseph Smith go to his grave over a made up story? All your questions will be answered if you just read it. There is a promise the prophet Moroni gives at the end of the Book of Mormon.

 Moroni's Promise:

3. Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus 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.
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know of the reality of Jesus Christ because I have read His words in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I have felt the Holy Ghost testify truth to me as I have read. I have come to know the healing power of the Atonement Christ provides. All I want is for you to know likewise. Missionary's all over the world work tirelessly to persuade people to believe in Christ. 2 (Nephi 25:23) "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."  I promise you that as you read the Book of Mormon you will better understand who your Savior Jesus Christ is. You will grow or even begin in your relationship with God. I know my Redeemer lives. Jesus is the Christ. I challenge you to do as Moroni says and ponder and pray in your hearts to know for yourself (whether you are a member of the Church or not) you can receive the same witness I have received.





The Book of Moron: An Introduction (see link)

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and serves as a companion scripture to The Holy Bible. It draws people nearer to God.


Testimony From an Apostle of God:

• Elder Holland's Testimony of The Book of Mormon

Another Bloggers Testimony:

• Refocus, Al Fox

True Meaning of Christmas

        The holiday season can bring chaos as we are striving to check off all our "todo's" for the holiday season. As we run around from store to store looking for that perfect present for our loved ones or travel from place to place, the true meaning of Christmas can become easily clouded by chaos.

Mormon.org describes Christmas as "a time to celebrate the priceless gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His birth, which we commemorate during this season, is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, and our joy and salvation. This Christmas season will have greater meaning as we seek to follow His example and live His teachings." As we remember the the birth of Christ and the example his life was to us, the chaos in our souls can be calmed. Christ lived a life full of charity and love. We need to have an abundant supply of charity and love in our lives just like Christ did.

   

         

I can see Christ's attributes and example more then ever in peoples actions during the Christmas season. People are more loving and filled with charity. People go out of their way to give, which is why this time of year is so great. Love is what brings the Christmas spirit. This spirit of charity can be felt in the air and is more abundant during this time of year. Moroni tells us of charity in the Book of Mormon. (Moroni 7:47) "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whosoever is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." This spirit of love should carry on through out the year.

We should seek to keep this attribute of Christ with us all year long. Charity is a gift from God. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni said that we should "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love." (Moroni 7:48) As you follow Jesus Christ's example and strive to do righteous works your love for people will increase and you will be filled with the love of Christ. As we continue to pray to the Father in heaven for charity towards others, love will carry onforward through out the coming year. I would like to invite all, remember the spirit of charity during this Holiday season. Carry this spirit of charity in ourselves onward to the upcoming year.


Watch an up lifting message about Christmas on lds.org

Mormon Messages: An Unexpected Gift
Christmas is a time our hearts turn to the Savior Jesus Christ. This is the true story of one woman's experience as she learns that the Lord loves us and knows our specific circumstances. 
Click HERE to view

Worry Ends Where Faith In God Begins.

    

     I know that God cares about us and watches over us. I know this because I've seen God work in my life. There was a time when I needed a job to support myself. At the time I was living on my own, currently renting an apartment and attending Utah Valley University. I just lost my job and needed some income to help continue paying rent. I had put out resumes and been to job interviews in hope of a job offer, but nothing was coming of it.

     I felt I had done all I could. There was nothing else I could think of doing and with only two weeks till rent was due time was running out. There was no way I could provide a job for myself. I needed an opportunity. I knew if I wanted to get a job, God would need to provide an opportunity for me. Knowing that I needed a job and with a sincere desire I decided to pray to God for help. I exercised faith that everything would work out, not knowing how it would unfold, but knowing that God would provide away for it to work. After praying my worry was removed and I felt peace. Two days latter I received an interview and got a job that paid more then I had anticipated. I was able to continue living in my apartment and attending school.

          It is my personal testimony that God cares about each of us. As Ammon says in (Alma 26:37) "Now my brotheren see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in...his bowels of mercy are over all the earth..." God truly does care. We just need to let him work in our lives. I do all I can to provide for myself, but when I know I can't do any more or need some help to go on. I know I can ask God in prayer for help and He will help me. We just need to exercise the faith, get on our knees in humble prayer and ask for help. There will be times in our lives when we don't have answers. Jesus teaches the nephites in 3 Nephi 18 to pray always. " Therefore ye must always pray unto the father in my name." (3 Nephi 18:19) I can promise you that with a little faith and a sincere desire God will answer your prayers.

Challenge:

Pray always even if you are not in need of anything.

Mormon Messages: Learn from a humble women's example how the power of prayer can work in our lives. 

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&start=37&end=48&order=alpha#2010-01-01-prayer