Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a Mormon) my whole life, I’ve always been taught that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another
testament of Jesus Christ; that it also contains the account of Christ visiting the people of ancient America after His resurrection. Growing up with it, I had never questioned its truthfulness. Having read it before and heard so many personal witnesses within my family and those of my congregation, it was a truth that I never doubted.
In November of 2009 as I was reading my Book of Mormon, a desire entered into my heart with such force that I could not ignore it. I had a desire to read more, study more, and know more of the Book of Mormon. What resulted from this desire (which I believe was divinely appointed to me) was a life changing transformation. It never occurred to me that such an emotion could change the entire course of my life. I felt inclined to act on what I was feeling. So I did. I made a goal to read the Book of Mormon every month for the next year. I wanted to become more righteous. I wanted to be able to study my scriptures daily. I wanted to feel the Spirit. But above all, I had a desire to draw closer to Jesus Christ. I knew that that would come from reading and studying the Book of Mormon.
At the time it was an over-prestigious and unattainable goal- one that simply
got me to sit down and read every day. But after the first month, it became my mission
to keep the spirit that entered into my life in November with me always. Each month I
would approach the Book of Mormon with a different study tactic that I came to know
by prayer. And each month the Book of Mormon would speak to me differently. By the
end of the year, I had read the Book of Mormon fourteen times. I applied the promise
of Moroni in Chapter 10:4-5 fourteen times. And fourteen times the Holy Ghost left a
witness in my life of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
It wasn’t about reading the Book of Mormon so many times. It was about the Spirit that came from diligently reading and studying the Book of Mormon that led
me to want to read more. It opened my mind and heart to a dimension that cannot be reached than from within the teachings of this Book. I experienced an enlightenment that filled my whole soul with joy. I was reading on a divine line of communication with my Heavenly Father and the Spirit began to lead my life. I was protected. The spirit that the Book of Mormon brought into my life was my armor. It kept my thoughts in line with those of the Spirit and the Lord. It was my concourse of angels that followed and guarded me from the evil influences of the world.
I have felt the power of the Book of Mormon shift my entire being. It is possessed with
a power that cannot be found elsewhere. Joseph Smith said that, “The Book of Mormon
was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religious, and a man
would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” I know this
statement to be true. I have witnessed it firsthand as it has changed my heart and left me
with a desire to come unto Christ, repent of my sins, and be purified through Him. I know
Jesus Christ. I know Him so personally. We have a very special relationship. Each day
when I sit down to read my Book of Mormon, I sit down with the Savior to let Him teach
me.
Gaining a strong and immovable testimony of the Book of Mormon was the
greatest thing I have ever done. Because I know the Book of Mormon is true, I know
that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that through him, the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored once again upon the earth. Companied with the Bible, the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has confirmed to me that I am a child of God. I have a Savior, Jesus Christ and He died for me. I have seen His works in my life and I have felt Him carrying me. The Book of Mormon pulled me out of the darkness I was buried in and showed me the everlasting light of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
I know that by reading and studying the Book of Mormon, you will come to know Jesus
Christ. His words are true and He lives. I will forever hold up His light. He has provided
me with the way to eternal life, a life with Him and my Father in Heaven forever.
Heavenly Father provided me with the Book of Mormon to find my way back to Him. It
is now my duty to labor in the vineyard, to help the children of God find their way back
to their Heavenly Father. I will forever remain a witness of Jesus Christ. He lives and will
live forever. I know this because I know the Book of Mormon is true.
Additional Resources:
Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon.
Learn why the Book of Mormon is necessary.
Visit the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ.
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