This last week in Book of Mormon class we entered a new book within the Book of Mormon. Its name
is Ether. To help you to understand and to give my words some context I will tell a little about where
the book of Ether comes from and what it is about. Although there is a lot to say about it, I will keep the
explanation brief, because I have much to say about a particular passage from it today. Ether is a record
of an ancient group of people who were lead to the Americas, then referred to as the promised land, by
the hand of the Lord around the time of the tower of Babel. They are called the Jaredites. Their story,
within the book of Mormon, comes from a set of plates whose discovery is recorded of earlier in the Book
of Mormon. Portions of the record are translated and included in the Book of Mormon by a prophet named
Moroni.

Now with a little background established, I will now get into my subject. The portion of the Jaredite history
included by Moroni details the journey of these people from the Dead Sea area to the Americas.

“5 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea,
into that quarter where there never had man been…”

We discussed this verse in class and as I looked closer and listened to the words of my teacher, I realized how significant this verse is in a scriptural history context, but also in a personal context.Throughout scriptures there is this recurring moment when the Lord sends His prophets or people into the wilderness as they begin a journey. Adam and Eve were cast out the garden and into the wilderness. Moses and the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years. Nephi (in the beginning of the Book of Mormon) were brought through the wilderness and now, here, the story includes an exodus to the unknown and untamed wilderness.

First, this journey IS the plan of Salvation. Before we came here to earth, we dwelled in the presence of our Father. In order for us to grow and to become more like Him, the earth was created and we were brought here—a wilderness. As we live this life and strive to rely on the Lord, we will be led to the Promised Land—to salvation and exaltation.

Second, within this mortal life we too experience times of struggle. When I think about what a wilderness is, I picture a time when comfort and resources are not readily available. A place where I must struggle to exist. Like the stories of the scriptures, provisioning of our necessities (whether temporal, emotional or spiritual) seems uncertain. It can be easy to feel alone, but we are not. The verse above continues,

“5…And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them…and gave directions whither they should
travel.”

As in other stories in the scriptures, our needs can be taken care of by our Lord as we have faith in Him
and seek Him and to keep His commandments. Like manna from heaven or direction from His lips, we will
be taken care of. Certainly, the reality of these mortal experiences that seem as wildernesses to us show
us that the Lord is not seeking to make our lives easy, but that we must go through hard times to learn to
rely on Him and to grow.

I witness that the Lord has been there for me in my times of struggle and that I have found help in
Him. Whether by the Spirit or by someone else, I am always sent help. The story of Ether is a powerful
reminder to me that I am never alone as I travel on this earth or through its wildernesses (both literally
and figuratively!).

If there was a theme for the first little section of “The Book of Mormon” (one of the many holy scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or the Mormons; this book is about God’s children on the American continent and how they got there), I would say it would be pretty well summarized up by when Nephi (the first scribe of the Book of Mormon) said “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” (1 Nephi 4:6; pg. 8). I have read The Book of Mormon multiple times, but this time through as a BYU student, taking a class on The Book of Mormon from BYU, I feel like I am getting more out of it than before. Nephi was a young man who lived in Jerusalem, in the year 600 B.C., which is 13 years before the Babylonians destroyed the city Jerusalem. Nephi lived there with his family, which consisted of his father Lehi, his mother Sariah, his brothers, and his sisters. His father, Lehi, was a prophet called of God to tell the people of Jerusalem to repent or the city would be destroyed. Of course the people didn’t like that, so they wanted to murder Lehi. God warned Lehi of this in a dream, and told Lehi to leave Jerusalem, and get to safety. Lehi with his family left Jerusalem in haste, leaving behind their riches, and their property. They traveled to the borders of the Red Sea, which was around 200 miles away from Jerusalem. They pitched their tents, and were in the wilderness for about eight years. When they got there, they must have wondered why had they left Jerusalem, where they had their gold, silver, and property. I mean they could have just hid out for a year, and then returned, and everyone might have forgotten Lehi. Now that connects to the quote “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do”. Lehi was led to leave Jerusalem, he didn’t know what he was going to do once he got away or what his life would be like; he trusted in the Lord that the Lord would lead them to where they needed to go.

In my life, being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have been blessed by listening and obeying God, even when I don’t know what the outcome would be. There was one time when my family decided to move away from our home that we had lived in for about 10 years, because my dad was offered a new job in a different town. Not all of us were enthusiastic about it, but we all felt like it was what God wanted us to do. The move wasn’t easy, but it was one of the biggest blessings in our lives. The year we moved was 2007, and in 2008, the recession hit; and my Dad’s old work was affected by it terribly. They had to lay off a lot of their workers, the owners had to sell the plant my Dad used to work at, and my Dad’s old job was eliminated. If we had stayed, instead of moving, my Dad might not have had any work, and we would have no idea what to do. It was thanks to a Heavenly Father that this did not happen. It was because we were “…led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [we should do]”.

Lehi was blessed too. After being in the wilderness for eight years, they came to the seashore, where they built a ship, and they then sailed across the ocean to the American continent. They had gold and silver there, and a land of their own where raised their children and built many nations. If they had stayed behind, and had not listened to the Lord, they would have been there when Jerusalem was destroyed, and some of them might have died. The point is, we don’t know all the details, but God does, so we should put our trust in him, and exercise our “blind” faith, because in the end, everything we lost will be made up. I know that The Book of Mormon is a true work of God, just like the Bible, it is another set of scriptures for us in our day. I bear witness that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church of God upon the earth today. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Additional Resources:

What is the purpose of life?

Meet with Mormon missionaries

This article is by no means an exhaustive description of the chapter but briefly touches upon the importance of the teachings taught within The Book of Mormon and a comparison with The Bible. Chapter 17 in 1 Nephi contains a story of faith where the prophet Nephi is commanded by the Lord to build a ship. His brothers don’t believe it’s possible but Nephi follows the Lord’s instructions and builds the ship so that his family can cross the ocean to reach the Promised Land.

As you read this chapter, I invite you to look at the footnotes and other available resources which help one study the scriptures. A modern apostle of Christ, Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated “We should therefore study with these questions in mind: “Why was this included? How does this apply today and to me?” (“How to Study the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, October 2011 )

Comparing The Book of Mormon to The Bible & My Life

I love comparing the similarities and parallels between The Bible and The Book of Mormon because they both contain eternal truths from the same God (Ezekiel 37:16-17). “Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another (2 Nephi 29:8)”.

God us an unchanging being and is the same God in The Book of Mormon as He was in Biblical times. “For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?” (Mormon 9:9) For example, the Lord fed the children of Israel in Moses’ time (Exodus 16:15) but He also blessed Nephi’s family with great blessings in the wilderness such as living upon raw meat and the women bearing healthy children (1 Nephi 17: 1-2, 12).

Nephi “went up into the mountain, and cried unto the lord” (1 Nephi 17:7) for direction in his life and received the answer to build a boat. In the mountains, Adam built an altar and called upon the Lord (Genesis 12:8), the Lord spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12), and Moses received the ten commandments of God (Exodus 19-20). In modern times, we too can pray to God and receive direction and guidance from Him. Worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ can also enter temples to seek revelation.

I haven’t been instructed to build a boat but God has guided me to attend a school I didn’t plan on attending or move out of the country. I don’t always understand why God may direct me to do something. This is especially hard when it was not my plan or the exact opposite of what I wanted. However, looking back I can see that God has something in mind for me greater than I can imagine and He knows best how to get me there. “After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 17:14) Only after I finished my degree or after I moved back into the country did I understand the invaluable and priceless experiences I had obtained through following God’s plan for me.

Why is this Important?

I know that applying The Book of Mormon to my life has blessed me in many ways. I love searching the scriptures and finding God’s guidance within them as if He was talking directly to me. “In my judgment, diligently searching to discover connections, patterns, and themes is what it means to ‘feast’ upon the words of Christ. This approach can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir, enlighten our understanding through His Spirit, and produce a depth of gratitude for the holy scriptures and a degree of spiritual commitment that can be received in no other way. Such searching enables us to build upon the rock of our Redeemer and to withstand the winds of wickedness in these latter days (Bednar, 2011. Increase in learning: Spiritual patterns for obtaining your own answers. Salt Lake City: UT: Deseret Book Company, p. 131).”

Additional Resources:

Do Mormons Believe in the Bible?

Visit this site for a free copy of The Book of Mormon.

Visit this site for a free copy of The Bible.

Brief explanation of The Book of Mormon

In my own family as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, as the “Mormon Church”), I’ve seen the difference it makes when we read The Book of Mormon together. When we read it, there is a spirit of peace and love that enters the home. It is a beautiful feeling. The Book of Mormon helps us have more love towards God, each other, and those around us. I know that this is because it is true and because it truly teaches the words of Jesus Christ, which bring peace to the soul. When I give adequate time for personal scripture study of The Book of Mormon, I feel a peace and a strength enter my life. My power to do good increases, my desire to do what is right increases, and I feel more peace. I testify that The Book of Mormon truly contains the words of Jesus Christ. I know that there is a living prophet today who speaks the words of Jesus Christ to all the world through the power of revelation.

Here are some quotes by living apostles and prophets about the power of The Book of Mormon:

I urge you to get acquainted with [the Book of Mormon]. Read it to your children; they are not too young to understand it. I remember reading it with one of my lads when he was very young. … I lay in the lower bunk and he in the upper bunk. We were each reading aloud alternate paragraphs of those last three marvelous chapters of Second Nephi. I heard his voice breaking and thought he had a cold. … As we finished he said … , ‘Daddy, do you ever cry when you read the Book of Mormon (President Marion G. Romney, late prophet of the Church)?

I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times. The gift I am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon, given to mankind 156 years ago (President Ezra Taft Benson, late prophet of the Church).

He said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was 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” (History of the Church, 4:461). That is the third reason for studying the book. It helps us draw nearer to God. Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book (President Ezra Taft Benson, late prophet of the Church).

It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance (President Ezra Taft Benson, late prophet of the Church).

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (President Marion G. Romney, the late prophet of the Church).

I would like to add my testimony of the divinity of this book. I have read it many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.

Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.

When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book—from its first chapter to the last—the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.  And look for a second undergirding theme: God will keep His covenants with the remnants of the house of Israel (Elder Russel M. Nelson, Apostle of Jesus Christ).

The Book of Mormon is the most important religious text to be revealed from God to man “since the writings of the New Testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago.”Joseph Smith declared the Book of Mormon to be “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.”It is the only book that the Lord Himself has testified to be true (Elder Russel M. Nelson, Apostle of Jesus Christ).

Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us in personal or public days of despair. That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends, calling all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle of Jesus Christ).

I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle of Jesus Christ).

God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: “Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived” ¹⁵ —and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Apostle of Jesus Christ).

Additional Resources:

Obtain a free copy of The Book of Mormon.

Learn more about the translation of The Book of Mormon at an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Learn about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon Changes Lives

I witnessed a miracle this last March as I saw a boy (whom we will call Eric), age 15, change from a depressed, low self-esteemed, bitter teenager into a happy, confident, grateful, and testimony-filled young man. What could cause such a miraculous change in Eric you might ask? The change came from March Madness–and an amazing volume of scripture known as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

March Madness is an intense competition for college basketball. Fans can watch a basketball game on any given night and see audacious behavior steaming from these young adult players who have been looking forward to this moment since they could dribble a ball. Though basketball is a great form of entertainment, is this the March Madness that changed Eric’s life? No.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members (“Mormons”) have a seminary program wherein young men and young women of our faith and all invited friends of other faiths can participate in learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is tradition in some seminaries to have “March Madness” but in a much different way than the college basketball program has; the competition is simply to read the entire Book of Mormon (531 pages) within the month of March.

Having been Eric’s seminary teacher, I witnessed him begin our seminary’s March Madness with doubt and skepticism, but about one week into March he testified for the first time in class. He bore witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and how he could relate the words from those pages into his own life in order to find happiness and improvement. He also testified that the Book of Mormon had brought peace into his family; in just that short week he had recognized THEY STOPPED FIGHTING! With each consecutive day he walked into the classroom having his countenance become brighter and brighter as he continued to read the Book of Mormon. He was starting to embrace the principles of the Book of Mormon into his very way of being.

Eric is not alone in the miraculous healing of the Book of Mormon, millions others have been affected. When I was in high school, I committed to never miss a day of reading from the Book of Mormon for the rest of my life. Now I am 22 years of age, and I have kept my commitment. I am ever so grateful for that goal I made years ago. I am happier. My perspective has been broadened. I am more receptive to the whisperings of the Spirit of the Lord. And most importantly, I have gained a deep and abiding relationship with my Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.

What is the Book of Mormon Anyway?

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the work from ancient records through the power of God. From the Introduction of the Book of Mormon we read:

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It [1] puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, [2] outlines the plan of salvation, and [3] tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

Also quoted from the introduction Joseph Smith said: “… a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” I know this is true, because I have experienced it!

How Does the Book of Mormon Compare with the Bible?

“Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. While the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the Americas, primarily from approximately 600 B.C. through A.D. 421”. “Together with the Bible, the Book of Mormon is an indispensable witness of the doctrines of Christ and His divinity”  (Tad R. Callister, “The Book of Mormon—a Book From God” Conference Report, October 2011)

The words within the book’s treasured pages are the words of God. Unless we invite those words to be placed into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, the pursuit of reading it would be fruitless. Before I start my daily study of the Book of Mormon I begin in prayer, pleading with the Lord that I might have the Spirit to be with me as I read. I also go into the scriptures with a specific question in mind and astoundingly find that the scripture holds true in 2 Nephi 32:3 which reads, “…feastupon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” If I go into my study with a prayer to find an answer concerning my finances, I find an answer about my finances. If I go in asking God about how to improve my relationship with an individual, I find a specific answer about how to strengthen that relationship. It is an unfailing equation. Ask Heavenly Father a specific question + seek an answer from His word = finding an answer!

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It does draw us near to Him as we drink deeply from the messages. I know that each of us can learn of its truthfulness by prayerfully reading it and then acting on the Prophet Moroni’s promise found in the last chapter of the book “…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. Any by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:4-5). I invite you to please read it, and feel the power of God rest on your soul as it has miraculously on mine.

Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.

 It was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormons,”),  Franklin D. Richards, who once said, “Life is God’s greatest gift to man, and what we do with our life is our gift to God.” (LDS Conference Report, April 1971, p. 38.) Stephen L. Richards, another prominent LDS leader taught, “Life is a mission and not a career.” (Quoted by Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1988, p. 54.) And it was President Boyd K. Packer, apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, who taught, “No matter what citizenship or race, whether male or female, no matter what occupation, no matter your education, regardless of the generation in which one lives, life is a homeward journey for all of us, back to the presence of God in his celestial kingdom.” (Ensign, May 1987, p. 24.)

On Friday evening, 17 October 1958, at approximately 10:17 PM, a baby boy was born to John Wallace Brown and Frances Mae Harmon. He would become the second child born to the proud young parents, as John was only 23 years of age, and Frances had just barely turned 21 years of age on 24 September 1958.

Having already begun raising a now one year old son, these young, but still rather new parents, welcomed their newborn into the world with both joy and with the realization of the challenges in being the best parents that they could possibly be to him and his older sibling. Throughout his early childhood, and well into his early adult years, these loving parents would nurture and instruct their son in the way that he should go. They had their own hopes and aspirations of what he would one day become, but at the same time, like his brother before him, they had dedicated his life into the hands of the Lord, and they were confident that as long as he never let go of God’s unchanging hand and was obedient to God’s will for his life, everything was going to be alright.

Hugh Nibley, Mormon scholar, once said, “No matter where we begin if we pursue knowledge diligently and honestly, our quest will inevitably lead us from the things of earth to the things of heaven.” And it was President David O. McKay, late prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ (inadvertently called The Mormon Church by friends of other faiths) who taught, “Knowledge comes through personal effort. Its acquisition involves labor. Exact and definitive knowledge comes to us in exact ratio with the amount of diligence, moral courage, and perseverance we put into the active search for it.”

At a very early age this son became a seeker of knowledge and truth. He developed a love for books and learning, and even during his elementary school years was fascinated by the treasures of knowledge that were found within the pages of not only his school textbooks, but other volumes that were available to him as well. Whereas most young boys tend to have a desire to get actively involved in some type of sports activity, he was more of an academic and preferred spending time in a library or looking through the encyclopedias and books at home to glean any morsel of knowledge from them that he could. However, even with his new found discoveries, he never seemed to be fully satisfied. There was still a hunger and a thirst to know even more.

In school, he devoted many hours to his studies, always wanting to do his best to achieve academic excellence. As he moved from elementary school into Junior High and High School, he became an even greater seeker of knowledge. Oftentimes he would be found studying different subjects on his own, outside of the subjects that he was taught in the classroom. He soon learned that he had a special passion for learning anything to do with mathematics and foreign languages. By the time that he graduated High School he had successfully passed one year of Latin and five years of Spanish. In fact, he had participated in a national Spanish exam in his senior year of High School and tied for fifth place. He was not a straight ‘A’ student, but he always managed to keep most of his grades in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ range and his name was very often found amongst the list of names of students who were on the honor roll. It was also in High School when he discovered a love for the English language and thoroughly enjoyed writing essays, short stories, and research papers. Oddly enough, some of his least favorite subjects were history and the sciences, although he enjoyed chemistry class mainly because of the mathematics involved in solving and balancing formulas and equations.

His quest for knowledge did not end with his graduation from Wicomico Senior High School in Salisbury Maryland in June 1976. At the young age of 18 years, having a love for learning new things in mathematics, he became interested in computers and how they functioned, and so he enrolled in a local community college and began his studies in Data Processing Technology. While working full time as a dishwasher in a local family restaurant, he pursued his studies at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown Delaware, completing all of his requirements for graduation two weeks ahead of schedule, and graduating with an A.A.S. degree in Data Processing Technology in June 1979.

LDS (“Mormon”) leader and scholar, Hugh B. Brown once said, “Every landing field is also a runway for a new take-off. We must resist the temptation to abide upon arriving at an intermediate goal. There can be no loitering on life’s airfield. One must get on the plane or be left behind.” (Address, Brigham Young University, May 24, 1962, p. 3.) After graduating from Delaware Technical and Community College he decided to put further traditional classroom training and learning on temporary hold and continued working full time in the local restaurant. This; however, did not put an end to his quest for knowledge. He continuously pondered what he would eventually do with his life and began setting goals for some of the things that he hoped to accomplish. Perhaps he would become a teacher or even a preacher of the Gospel, as he also loved reading and studying the scriptures, and at the young age of 21 years had already read the Bible several times in its entirety.

 Mormon Missionaries and The Book of Mormon

Even with his vast knowledge and study of the Bible, he felt that there was still much more that he needed to know. There were many questions in his young mind that seemed to be left unanswered. And so, one day while watching television he saw a commercial for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and at the end of the commercial they offered a free Book of Mormon. Having no knowledge of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and having a curiosity as to what The Book of Mormon might be about, he sent and asked for a copy.

About a week later two young men dressed in suits and riding bicycles arrived at the door of his parents’ home where he was living at the time. They introduced themselves as missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and said that they had The Book of Mormon that he had requested. Wanting to learn more about the Church and The Book of Mormon, he invited them in. This was in October 1980, and shortly after he had joined the Navy under the delayed entry program. Leaving home and traveling the world while serving his country was one of the goals that he had set for himself. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “Goals are good. Laboring with a distant aim sets the mind in a higher key and puts us at our best.” (Regional Representatives’ Seminar, April 3, 1974.) And as Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “To reach a goal you have never attained, you must do things you have never before done.” (Ensign, May 1990, p. 76.)

He met with the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ (nicknamed, “Mormon missionaries” but truly ambassadors of the Savior) on numerous occasions over the next 6 months, and even began reading The Book of Mormon. Finally, in March 1981, he thanked the missionaries for the things that they had taught him and promised that he would continue investigating the Church and reading The Book of Mormon at a later date. For now his mission in life was to be in the Navy serving his country. He did not realize that his mission would actually become his career.

During his military service he was blessed with the opportunity to travel to many foreign lands that he had only read about in books. He also continued his quest for knowledge by continuing to take courses in different subjects. He even enrolled in Bible College in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Theological Seminary while stationed in Norfolk Virginia with hopes of someday becoming a Baptist minister. He only had a chance to study in the Seminary for a little over a year, and during that time again realized that there was so much more that he wanted answers to. It would not be until 1997, some 17 years after his initial investigation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons is a nickname for its members, but this is the full name of the Church), while stationed in Keflavik Iceland, that he would finally find the answers that he had been seeking when he again began reading the Book of Mormon and meeting with the missionaries. On Tuesday evening, 10 March 1998, in the little LDS (Mormon) Chapel in Reykjavik Iceland he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the rest as they say is history.

My name is Keith Lionel Brown. I am that son of whom this narrative refers. The first 52 years of this journey called life have been truly amazing. There have been many mountain top experiences, as well as, many valley experiences. Nevertheless, all of the experiences have helped to mold me into the person that I am today. Truly I stand all amazed at the love that the Savior Jesus Christ offers me.

In a  short 52 years I have been blessed to travel all over the world, meet influential and interesting people from all walks of life – entertainers, authors, movie directors, actors,  and producers, a former President of the United States, and General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”). I have also been blessed with many wonderful opportunities – things that as a young boy I could have only imagined.

My two goodly parents were indeed right in their humble estimation that as long as I hold on to God’s unchanging hand and do what His will is for my life, everything is going to be alright.

I do not know what tomorrow may bring, but I do know the Lord Jesus Christ–the One who holds all of my tomorrows in the palms of His hands. He never sleeps and He never slumbers. He is always right there beside me and has promised never to leave me alone. I don’t have to worry or be afraid. I know that I can make it. In Him I know I can stand. For no matter what may come my way, my life is in His hands, even the hands of Jesus Christ

Additional Resources:

Get a free copy of The Book of Mormon

Trust in the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Learn about Jesus Christ from an official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as “The Mormon Church”).

by Eric Kotter, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”), Eric is a student at BYU-Idaho studying communications.

The Book of Mormon is a volume of ancient scripture which testifies of Jesus Christ’s teachings. It is an account of Christ’s words as given to ancient prophets who lived on the American continent. The Lord spoke to these prophets just as He did to Moses, Abraham, or other Biblical prophets.

Mormon Beliefs: Adversity, Getting Through Life’s Storms

Some people may find this author a little bit strange, but I actually love thunder storms. I enjoy listening to the roaring sounds of thunder, watching lightning dance across the sky, and the gentle, soothing sound of the rain as it falls.

When I was a young boy growing up, whenever it would begin to storm, my mother would go around the house making sure that everything was unplugged. Once she was sure that everything was unplugged, she would gather us kids together and have us sit quietly in the living room until the storm had passed over. She would not so much as answer the telephone if it rang during the storm. She would tell us that it was God’s work taking place and that we should be still, be quiet, watch and listen. If a storm were to arise during the night when everyone was fast asleep in their beds, my mother would get up from her sleep, go around the house making sure that everything was unplugged, and then light a candle or storm lantern for light and sit alone quietly on the living room couch until the storm had passed over.

Finding Happiness Amid Life’s Circumstances

How wonderful and marvelous are the sunshine days of our lives. When everything seems to be going along smoothly, we tend to be the most happy and content with our lives. Even the small bumps in the road along the way tend to be of little significance. It is during the sunshine days of our lives that we feel more comfortable, more confident, more willing to press on. It is during those hours that our faith and determination seem to be the strongest. It is as though nothing could stop us or turn us around. However, our lives will not always be filled with days of sunshine. In our lives we will also experience many storms that may occur at any given time. There will be times when the storm clouds will begin to gather, the thunder will begin to roar, and lightning will begin to dance all around us. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ  (Mormons) believe that opposition is essential to growth, that without tasting sickness, we could not enjoy health; without resistance, we would not improve. Latter-day Saints have a unique and helpful perspective regarding trials. So, the question for each of us becomes: When those strong winds of adversity begin to blow, do we find that our level of faith, trust, and confidence are the same as during the sunshine when all appeared to be well? During those times of storms do we choose to continue on with our business as usual hoping that the storm will soon pass over or do we take the time to be still, be quiet, watch, and listen?

The Bible and Adversity: Mormon Beliefs

Adversity enters into the life of every individual at various times and in various forms. It may be caused by the willful disobedience to the laws of God; however, those who with righteous desire seek earnestly to learn and strive diligently to do God’s will also experience adversities in their lives. Adversity in the lives of the obedient and faithful may be caused by disease, accidental injury, ignorance, or the influence of the adversary. The Lord also at times permits the righteous to suffer the consequences of evil acts by others. Some may respond to such adversity with resentment, anger, bitterness, doubt, or fear. Still others, with a knowledge and testimony of the divine plan of salvation, often respond with faith, patience, and a hope born of that “peace … which passeth all understanding.” In the midst of storms and adversity in our lives, the Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The Book of Mormon: Jesus Christ Consecrates Afflictions for our Gain

Similarly, in the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ, we are given wisdom and counsel concerning the trials and adversities that we will face in life by ancient prophets in America. One such prophet was Lehi who assured his son Jacob with these words as recorded by the ancient prophet Nephi in 2 Nephi 2:12:

And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my first–born in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. Nevertheless, Jacob, my first–born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

In that same volume of scripture another example of how we should handle adversity in our lives is given to us through the lives of the sons of Mosiah, a king in ancient America of a people known as the Nephites who inhabited the ancient land of Zarahemla. The account is recorded by Alma the younger, a prophet and “chief judge” of the Nephites.

We learn that Mosiah’s sons in the course of their missionary labors, “had many afflictions … both in body and in mind … and also much labor in the spirit.” (Alma 17:5). Partly because of such experiences, they became “strong in the knowledge of the truth; … men of a sound understanding … [who] searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God” (Alma 17:2). They had also “given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3). Because of their positive response to the adversities that they faced they were able to grow spiritually.

We further learn that in the time of Nephi, son of Helaman, “the more humble part of the people … [suffered] much affliction”; but they fasted and prayed frequently and became “stronger in their humility, and … firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation” (Helaman 3:34-35).

From these examples, we learn how to deal with storms and adversities in our own lives. As did they, in times of storms and adversity, we too should look to the Savior for Divine assistance. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 4:14-16:

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The storms that come into our lives can be compared to my mother’s observation of thunder storms in that as she believed that during a storm God is speaking and busy performing His work and it is at the times of storms in our lives that God is speaking to us and wanting to perform a work in us. To be able to hear what He is saying to us, and to see the things that He wants to do for us, we have to do away with those things that would otherwise distract us and divert our attention from Him. Just as my mother would make sure that everything was unplugged during a storm, when storms arise in our lives we need to unplug from the world, be still, be quiet, watch and listen. And just as the light from the candle or storm lantern that my mother lit gave light to the room, if we will be still, be quiet, watch and listen, the light of Christ will enter in and teach us those things which He needs us to learn.

Some storms are more severe and last longer than others. Perhaps, at times, God needs more of our time and attention. But, have you ever stopped to take notice that even during the midst of a storm, the Son still shines, and at the end of every storm the darkness rolls away and the sun does shine again? I have learned to appreciate the storms in my life because it is during those times that I unplug from the world and allow the Light of Christ to radiate more brightly. It is during the times of storms that I can still hear my dear mother’s counsel to be still, be quiet, watch and listen.

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The Book of Mormon: Chapter Twelve: 2 Nephi 25:23

1Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

2For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.

3Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken.

One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation. . . . One passage in the Book of Mormon, written perhaps . . . to stress and induce appreciation for the gracious gift of salvation offered on condition of obedience . . . is particularly enlightening: ‘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.’ (2 Nephi 25:23; italics added.) . . .

. . . However good a person’s works, he could not be saved had Jesus not died for his and everyone else’s sins. And however powerful the saving grace of Christ, it brings exaltation to no man who does not comply with the works of the gospel.

Of course we need to understand terms. If by the word salvation is meant the mere salvation or redemption from the grave, the ‘grace of God’ is sufficient. But if the term salvation means returning to the presence of God with eternal progression, eternal increase, and eventual godhood, for this one certainly must have the ‘grace of God,’ as it is generally defined, plus personal purity, overcoming of evil, and the good ‘works’ made so important in the exhortations of the Savior and his prophets and apostles (Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 70–71).

I grew up learning about the Book of Mormon, its stories, teachings and revelations such as; Lehi’s dream, Nephi and the Brass Plates, the miracle conversion of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah, stories about an ancient civilization in the Americas, the poignant writings of the prophet Moroni, and much more.  Most importantly, interwoven throughout the Book of Mormon we learn that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior of the world.  That through Him and by Him, we can be reunited with our loved ones after we die, and we can have the opportunity to live with our Father in Heaven again, to live for all eternity.  Through Jesus Christ, each of us has the opportunity to gain exaltation.

As a child I believed the book to be true because this is what my wonderful parents and church leaders taught me.  At some point though, I had to receive my own testimony of the divinity of this book.  I do not remember this happening all at once.  My faith and testimony in the Book of Mormon came about in different ways, in various degrees and at different times throughout my life.  Time and again I have received a witness of the truthfulness of the book through the Spirit of the Lord.

Regarding the prophet Joseph Smith, who translated the Book of Mormon, I remember a visit to Carthage Jail in the winter of 1995.  My immediate family and I were visiting extended family in Missouri at the time.  My husband, my sister Wendy and I took a day trip to Nauvoo, Illinois.  The historical grounds look beautiful under the blanket of snow.  It was cold, yet still and peaceful.  We could see our breath as we walked on these beautiful and historical grounds.  I was surprised at the experience I had within the very room Joseph Smith was shot which led to his martyrdom.  As we stood there in that room, the guide pushed the button that began the audio recording, a re-creation of those final moments of the prophet’s life.  John Taylor was singing one of Joseph’s favorite hymns, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.”  I fully expected to feel sadness and perhaps even some bitterness.  To my surprise, I felt peaceful and had an overwhelming feeling of love for Joseph Smith and his brother.  What was more astonishing was a strong feeling of love and forgiveness for those who killed the prophet and his brother.  It was as if Joseph had not only forgiven them, he loved them with all of his heart.  That was the impression I received.   There was no logical reason for me to come into this place and have those impressions about those who killed a prophet of God.  These feelings did not come from my own heart, my own mind.  They came from the spirit of God.  It was a strong witness to me of the truthfulness that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God.  This experience strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon.

If someone were to ask me how the Book of Mormon has blessed my life, I would tell them that reading and pondering the words have calmed my troubled soul, brought answers to my questions and have helped me put my life into perspective.  I cannot stress this enough.  Even better, I have found that living the teachings of Jesus Christ and other prophets in the Book of Mormon has blessed me (and those I love) beyond words.  Supping from these Holy Scriptures is akin to finding the miracle cure to cancer, spiritually speaking.  Miracles have come to pass.  They are occurring right now.  They will continue to do so.  To read testimonies by other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, regarding the Book of Mormon and other gospel principles, go to www.mormon.org.  I testify of these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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