As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often misnamed as a “Mormon” after the Book of Mormon), I have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know that it was by God’s hand that it was kept and then preserved from destruction to be brought forth in our day. Through many sacrifices, Joseph Smith translated the book through the power which God had granted him.

Personal Scripture Study

I believe that all books of scripture are sacred and important. The Latter-day Saint canon includes the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. While I make an effort to read all of these books of scripture and to be familiar with each of them, I feel a unique spirit when reading the Book of Mormon.

It is kind of difficult to explain, but my mind begins to be enlightened whenever I read from its pages. I feel spiritually fed and nourished, though when I fail to read it regularly, I also miss this strength. I believe that the Holy Spirit teaches pure truth. All eternal truths are related to each other. Thus, when we work to bring ourselves to be in tune with the Holy Spirit, we can learn truths that we may not immediately identify as spiritual.

When I read and ponder the scriptures, especially in the Book of Mormon, I find my mind making connections and understanding deeper spiritual truths than I had previously comprehended. This renewing of the mind is also a renewal of my spirit. I think those things are intertwined.

Meaningful Passages of the Book of Mormon

One of my favorite chapters of scripture in the Book of Mormon is the fifth chapter in the book of Alma. Alma is speaking here to some of the people in a city he is visiting. He is a prophet and reminds the people of their ancestors’ history and dealings with Jesus Christ. He points out how many times their ancestors (and they themselves) have been delivered from destruction or persecution by the hand of God. He then says to the people:

Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell? Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them (Alma 5:6-7).

Alma goes on to ask the people if they have been spiritually born of God as their fathers were, if they have received His image in their countenances and if they have had a mighty change in their heart because of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. This is always a good point for me to personally reflect on how God has blessed my ancestors’ lives and then to look at how He has blessed my life personally. To remember all He has done for me in this life alone, let alone paying the price to redeem my soul from hell, is humbling.

My Mighty Change of Heart Through the Book of Mormon

I do feel that I have experienced a mighty change of heart by learning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The more I learn, the more determined I am to continue this mighty change and to have His image in my countenance. What a wonderful description.

Then Alma asks this question: “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26).  This is the truly important question. If we have allowed the miracle of Christ’s Atonement to work in our lives, are we still allowing that miracle to take place in our lives right now? Because if we are not, then our efforts are in vain.

This is one reason why it is important to read the Book of Mormon continually. The renewal of the mind it brings me each time I read it helps me to evaluate how I am doing now—not how I was doing a week ago or a year ago. The Book of Mormon helps me to remember that I need Jesus Christ in my life every day, not just once a week or when I am going through a particular trial. I need Him all the time. The Book of Mormon is a reminder that He is there for me all the time.

Find Your Personal Renewal Through the Book of Mormon

It says in 1 John 3:2 that “when he [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” To me, this means that we will recognize Him because we have grown to be like Him by following His example. We have literally received His image in our countenances, and we radiate His light to the world. When I read the Book of Mormon, I am renewed by the light of Christ that is in the book.

I invite you to read the Book of Mormon for yourself and to test it. See if it does contain the Word of Jesus Christ. If you feel renewed by its words, you will know for yourself that it contains the true Word of God. Ask God in sincere faith if its words are true, and the Holy Ghost will testify to you that it is true.

Additional Resources:

Request a Free Copy of the Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration

Unique History of the Book of Mormon

I have always been taught the importance of the Book of Mormon, which is a companion book of scripture to the Bible and is a second witness that Jesus is the Christ. While Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) believe firmly that the Bible is the word of God, they—we—also believe that through the transmission of the ancient text, many truths were lost from the Bible. The Book of Mormon is a separate record of Jesus Christ’s dealings with some of the people of the ancient Americas. The record was preserved untouched for nearly 1500 years before it was given to Joseph Smith to translate, which he did through the power of God. Because of the Book of Mormon’s unique history and preservation by the hand of God, it is “the most correct of any book on earth” and its readers can “get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon).

Mormons are encouraged to read from the Book of Mormon daily. No one who has read the book with a heart earnestly seeking truth, open to the witness of the Holy Ghost, can deny the power of its words. I often fail to read from the Book of Mormon daily, but I do read from it and the other scriptures frequently. I always find words of wisdom and sources of comfort in its pages.

Answers from the Holy Spirit

As with any book of scripture, when you read the Book of Mormon with an honest heart, opening yourself to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, it is through the Spirit that you can be taught, not solely through the words on the page. This allows a person to read the same words several times throughout his or her life and to draw different lessons from the same words uniquely suited to a current situation. I have found this to be true many times, which has strengthened my conviction that the counsel to read the Book of Mormon daily is prophetic guidance.

Some of the most stirring questions of this life apply to our understanding of what lies beyond this life. The doctrine that is contained in the Book of Mormon teaches me of my inherent, eternal worth as a child of God. I never need to doubt that I am of infinite value, both now and in the eternities. The words of the Book of Mormon remind me that I am loved beyond my own comprehension and that to become like God, I need to learn how to love others, and to show that love, in the same way.

This world is very cynical about religion and about there even being an existence after this life. And if there is no existence, why should any of us bother with selflessness here? Shouldn’t we each do all we can to make the most of this existence? Earn money by any means necessary, because money rules this life; selflessness is simply weakness, allowing other, strong people to exploit you; don’t waste time cultivating meaningful relationships, just satisfy the desires of the flesh, because ultimately, that’s all there is. How do I know these things are false? Because I have read the words of the Book of Mormon and other holy scripture, and when I do my best to live by the teachings in them, I feel peace, joy, and happiness. These are feelings which carry much more weight than temporary satisfaction of mortal desires.

Drawing Nearer to Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon helps me to draw nearer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. It helps me to better understand both His sacrifice and His love for me as an individual and for mankind as a whole. When I read and study the Book of Mormon, I am reminded that “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). This means much more than just doing our best to follow God’s commandments. This means realizing that this life is an opportunity to learn to become more like God. Mormon doctrine teaches that we are children of God with the potential to become like Him. We are all imperfect, but we must learn to keep God’s laws if we want to live in His presence, because He cannot “look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (Alma 45:16).

Not only has the Book of Mormon answered questions of the soul for me about the purpose of this life, who I am, and what I can become, but it also helps me in my day-to-day struggles and trials. It gives me strength and encouragement to repent when I mess up, to call upon my Savior for His healing power, and to recommit to try to be more like Him.

I invite you to read the words of the Book of Mormon for yourself. Come to it with your own questions of the soul. If you approach it with an open heart, seeking the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost will speak to your heart. He will give you your own undeniable witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and He will speak peace to your soul, giving you the answers you need and seek.

The first two books in the Book of Mormon are named after Nephi, called First Nephi and Second Nephi, abbreviated 1 Nephi and 2 Nephi. 2 Nephi is where Jacob’s ministry takes place.  In chapters 7 and 8 of Second Nephi, Jacob teaches the people through the words of the prophet Isaiah. He quotes directly from the Old Testament in the Bible (which the Nephites had in the form of plates made of brass) and teaches the Nephites about Christ through his words.

In chapters 9 and 10, Jacob gives commentary on chapters 7 and 8, explaining Isaiah’s words to his people. Chapter 9 of Second Nephi is a beautiful chapter.  It testifies of the goodness of God and the perfection of His plan for us.  Over and over it exclaims, “O how great the plan of our God!” and “O how great the wisdom of God, His mercy and grace!” and many similar statements. It goes on to describe why this plan is so glorious: God has given us a perfect way to overcome both spiritual death (separation from God) and physical death (separation of the spirit and body). This perfect way is the atonement of Christ. Jesus Christ, who is a perfect being, chose to descend below his Godhood status to live life as a mortal so that He could experience all that we have experienced. In His great act of love of the atonement, He suffered all that we suffered, as well as paying for our sins.  He makes up for what I lack, loving me always in spite of the mistakes I make again and again.

From the time when I was young, my dad loved to teach my sisters and I using analogies.  The gospel is so easy to make analogies for (I wonder who planned that!), so my dad would constantly show us how some aspect of our lives was similar to some aspect of the gospel.  Being raised this way has turned me into my father—I love to look for ways that little things in life symbolically teach me about the gospel.

One of the most wonderful feelings, I would have to say, is coming into the kitchen after a long day, remembering the dishes you left in the sink from lunch or breakfast, and seeing that one of your roommates has cleaned them for you and put them in the dishwasher. Silly as it may be, this reminds me of the atonement. My roommate chose, out of love, to clean what I did not.  Christ loves us, and He chose to suffer for our sins so that we didn’t have to. Obviously, someone cleaning my dishes for me is nowhere near as important as the atonement, but the love I feel from and for my roommate reminds me of the love I feel from and for the Savior. Jesus Christ truly does love us.

This article was written by Lydia T., a freshman at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loves music, reading, hiking, and cooking.

Additional Resources:

The Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. Request your free copy today.

What are the basic beliefs found in theBook of Mormon?

Read what Mormons believe about Jesus Christ on an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sorenson is a professor emeritus of anthropology at Brigham Young University where he originated the program and headed it for fourteen years. Since his retirement he has researched and written about Mesoamerican archaeology.

In 1985 he published a book, “An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon,” which first introduced the idea that the geography of the Book of Mormon was not in North America as many member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) had supposed.

As a capstone of his work, he is close to publishing a new volume, “Mormon Codex” which will explain his professional journey as he has studied the matter.
According to an article in the Deseret News, Sorenson recently described his findings at the annual conference of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR). He told the group that he had identified 420 “correspondences” between the Book of Mormon and what is known about the early Mesoamerican civilizations. He explained the geographic area that most closely matched the land as depicted in the scriptures.

The Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico is the narrow neck of land of the Nephites, the highlands of southern Guatemala contained the land of Nephi, the basin of the Grijalva River and adjacent areas in extreme southern Mexico is the land of Zarahemla and areas immediately north and west of the isthmus are the land northward. This, then, defines the area where it makes sense to look for correspondences between the Book of Mormon and the archaeological/cultural record.

In his conference address, Sorenson said that Book of Mormon societies were stressed by seeking “power and privilege” which is also true of the Mesoamerican cultures. He indicated that the mention of elephants in the record of the Jaredites is in line with paleontological findings of mastodons that survived in North America as late as 2000 BC.

He added that both cultures were ruled by kings who were divinely chosen and in some cases the kingdom was handed to a younger ruler while the older lived his remaining days in an emeritus position.

Sorenson also cited the following examples:

— “Many uses of written documents are known from Mesoamerica. At least 14 of those uses are represented or are referred to in the Nephite record: for example, records of contemporary events, letters of correspondence, adventures of individual heroes or villains, and genealogies.

— Sacred ‘towers’ were constructed by the Nephites that were similar to Mesoamerican ‘towers’ or pyramidal substructures, all such constructions having had a primarily religious purpose. Moreover the one instance, in the book of Helaman, when a private tower structure was used as a site for prayer and religious discourse has Mesoamerican parallels.

— The model for Nephite ‘temples’ was specifically the ‘temple of Solomon,’ which featured two non-structural pillars that stood at the sides of the door of the temple. Some Mesoamerican ‘temples’ display similar structurally unnecessary pillars.

—Warfare was of major significance in the culture history of both Mesoamerica and Book of Mormon peoples. Recognition of its significance represents a major change in archaeological thought in recent decades; that area’s war practices now align more directly with those described in Mormon’s book.

— A complex of 380 cultural patterns having to do with religion and ideology were present both in the civilization of the ancient Near East in the second and first millennia B.C. and in Mesoamerican civilization. The large number and arbitrary nature of those features is such that they can only be explained by calling upon transoceanic voyaging, plausibly including voyages reported in the Book of Mormon.”

Sorenson emphasized that so many similarities cannot be mere coincidence.

“The parallels are too striking and too sweeping to allow that casual explanation,” he concluded.

Article was written by Jan

Additional Resources:

The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ)

The Lord Jesus Christ in Mormonism

The Bible in Mormonism

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

Do Mormons Believe in the Bible?

Brief Answer: yes. The Latter-day Saints not only believe in the Bible, they love the Bible. They study it and apply it in their daily lives. In fact, it was Joseph Smith’s study of the Bible—specifically James 1:5— that prompted the young farm boy to “ask of God” in faith and humility. The answer that God gave to Joseph’s humble prayer was momentous. (God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to the boy and restored the original Church of Jesus Christ to the earth).

Detailed Answer: It is fair to say that, generally speaking, the Latter-day Saints believe in the Bible more fully and literally than their mainstream Christian neighbors do. While such a bold statement is in no way meant to criticize mainstream Christians in their love or study of the Bible, the statement is nevertheless based squarely on Peter’s sobering words to the ancient Saints. Knowing that he would soon be martyred (2 Peter 1:14–15), Peter warned the early Saints that “there shall be false teachers among you, who shall bring in damnable heresies. . . . And many shall follow their pernicious ways” (2 Peter 2:1–2). Peter clearly foresaw, among these “damnable heresies” and “pernicious ways” that would creep into the Church, that men would attempt to twist or alter the meaning of the scriptures according to their own ways of thinking or for their own selfish ends. Thus Peter declared in no uncertain terms, “Knowing this first, than no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20–21, emphasis added).

These “holy men” of whom Peter spoke were none other than those chosen and ordained like himself—the Lord’s ordained apostles and prophets. In other words, the Lord chose to reveal his doctrine first to his prophets and apostles, and then by means of apostles and prophets, to the rest of his children. In like manner, because scripture came from God to man by means of his chosen and ordained apostles, no man has the right to interpret the scriptures except he be an ordained prophet or apostle of the Lord. Hence, the LDS belief in the Bible is not just based on the individual Saint’s acceptance of biblical teachings; it is based on the testimonies of all of the Lord’s prophets and apostles, whether they were the Lord’s ancient apostles or his living apostles today.

Additional Resources:

Mormons believe in the Bible. Learn more at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

The Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. Request your free copy today.

Visit a local meetinghouse.

Source:

D. Lauritsen, Mormons Under a Microscope, (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2010), 12-13.

Do Mormons Have Scriptures Besides the Book of Mormon?

Brief Answer: yes, three other volumes: the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Detailed Answer:

Doctrine and Covenants
Several years after the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to compile and publish many of the revelations that Joseph had thus far received from the Lord, revelations that Joseph himself had written down or had dictated. In 1835 these revelations were published as the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of the Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”). Each revelation, referred to as a section, is prefaced with a brief description of the date, place, and circumstance in which the revelation was received, as well as the revelation’s general contents. often within a single section are numerous revelatory concepts (for example, sections 76 and 84). other sections are replete with instructions and procedures (Sections 102 and 136). Some sections brim with prophecy (sections 45 and 89), while others are brief answers to specific doctrinal questions (section 77). Several are highly personal (sections 25 and 121). Most of the revelations appear in the order they were received.

Of the 138 sections, sections 1 through 134 and 137 were revealed through Joseph Smith; section 135 through President John Taylor; 136 through Brigham young; and 138 through President Joseph F. Smith. The Doctrine and Covenants also contains two official Declarations: the first, a reaffirmation of the Church’s discontinuance of the practice of plural marriage and the Church’s strict disapproval of any further contracting of marriages that are forbidden by law. Official Declaration 2 announces that all worthy males in the Church are permitted to receive the full blessings of the priesthood and the temple.

Pearl of Great Price

In 1835, Joseph Smith purchased a number of ancient Egyptian artifacts on behalf of the Church, given that Egypt was a key factor in the history of the Hebrews and the Jews (and hence a key factor in the Bible and the Book of Mormon). Among the artifacts Joseph found a papyrus scroll with writings. Because God had granted him the gift of translation (as demonstrated in the translation of the Book of Mormon), Joseph learned that the writings contained previously unknown explanations and elaborations of God’s dealings with the prophets Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and Moses. These elaborations shed greater light and understanding on the biblical accounts of these influential predecessors of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith began publishing these translations in 1842. The title, Pearl of Great Price (referring to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13:45–46) was coined by Elder Franklin D. richards of the Quorum of the Twelve in 1851. In 1880, the membership of the Church voted to add the Pearl of Great Price to the existing canon of the Church—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. In subsequent years, the Pearl of Great Price eventually expanded to include Joseph Smith— Matthew (an extract of the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith in 1831); Joseph Smith—History, (extracts from the history of Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 1, chapters 1–5); and the Articles of Faith (a statement by Joseph Smith published in the Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842, in company with a short history of the Church that was popularly known as the Wentworth Letter).1

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon at the official site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

Visit a local meetinghouse.

Note:

1. See History of the Church, vol. 4, 535–41.

Source:

D. Lauritsen, Mormons Under a Microscope, (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2010), 139-140.

The Book of Mormon is a record of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It gives an account of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent and God’s dealings with them. There are many passages in The Book of Mormon that testify of the reality of God. In the book of Alma chapter 22, Alma was an ancient prophet of Jesus Christ, in The Book of Mormon, we read of an experience where a missionary named Aaron taught a king about God. We see a pattern for how we can come to know if God is real in this chapter. First we must have a desire to know if He is real.  We must desire to learn more about Him. In this scripture account, the king had recently come across a missionary who had converted his son to the gospel. The king was curious and wanted to learn more. This is what he said:

What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me. And also, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day? (Alma 22:5-6).

Coming to Know God Exists

This scripture then helps us see that we should seek to learn all that we can about God, what his words are, and what He asks us to do–then we can come to know Him more. This should be from a good source, such as the scriptures, an authorized minister of Jesus Christ, and through prayer. Aaron then expounds and teaches the king all about God and His plan of happiness for each of us. He teaches the king question by question, a little at a time. The king showed a desire and determination to believe in his words, and follow Jesus Christ:

And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.

And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.

And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king (Book of Mormon: Alma 22:12-14).

After Aaron taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to the king, the king felt a desire in his heart to be forgiven of his sins and to become clean through Jesus Christ. The king showed a willingness to do the Lord’s will. He had a humble heart, which I’ve learned is important when I want to come to know God and feel His love and guidance in our lives. He said:

What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy (Book of Mormon: Alma 22:15).

Knowing About God vs. Knowing God

Aaron then asked the king to pray and ask God for the hope that He desired. In order to know if God is real, I’ve found that it is so vital that we pray. We can study all the books about God in the whole world if we want to, but if we don’t pray, we will never really know if God is real. When we pray, God’s Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that He is real (Holy Bible: Romans 8:16). He communicates knowledge to our souls with a divine impression that helps us know He is real. This is what happened with the king in The Book of Mormon. He knelt down and prayed and asked to know if God was real, and he said that he would “give up all my sins” to know God (Alma 22:18). When the king said this, he had a glorious experience of being overwhelmed with the power and love of God.

This scriptural example helps us see how we can know God is real. It helps me see that we must seek after Him. God has told us:

Ask, and it shall be ^bgiven you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

Personal Witness that God Exists

I know that as we seek out God and the Lord Jesus Christ, they will make themselves manifest to us. Through the power of prayer, and through studying and living the words of Jesus Christ, I’ve come to feel the power of the God’s love within me. He has told my spirit that He lives and loves me. All of us can have this experience. God is waiting for us to seek after Him, and He will answer.

Additional Resources:

Is there a God? For more information visit the official site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Request your free copy of the Book of Mormon today.

Attend a local meetinghouse.

Holy Bible: Controlling Our Tongue

Throughout the ages man has had the ability to tame various wild animals. He has also been blessed with the knowledge and ability to control such things as airplanes as they glide through the air, and large ships as they cut through the waters, directing each of them in the way they are to go. However, he has not necessarily been successful in learning how to tame and control his own tongue.

As the old adage says, “First we think it, and then we say it.” Therefore, it becomes necessary to feed our minds with wholesome and useful information in order to be able to control what we say. In the Holy Bible, a testament of Jesus Christ, it says, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (Bible: James 3: 7-8). James, an apostle of Jesus Christ, also exhorts us, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3: 9-10).

Holy Bible: Being a Encourager Or A Discourager

In this life we will find those who are considered to be encouragers and those who are considered to be discouragers. Encouragers always seem to have a kind word to say or thought to share. Their objective is to build up and strengthen others – to heal, not to wound. They use the words that they say to empower and inspire people to be the best that they can be, to never quit, and to endure to the end. Discouragers, on the other hand, never seem to have a kind word to say or thought to share with anyone. They are always full of negativity and find every opportunity to dishearten those whom they come in contact with. Their objective is to belittle, degrade, demean, berate, insult, and hurt people. They always look for the worst in people and do not hesitate to point out what they perceive to be a person’s flaws. Whenever people speak with them they walk away feeling defeated and as though they are of no worth or in some way inferior. Discouragers are the ones who continually poor salt on already festering wounds.

Again, in the Holy Bible, we read of what Solomon, a great king who received wisdom from God, counseled: “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. . . . Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy” (Proverbs 12: 18, 20). Jesus Christ’s apostle James also says: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

 We are all guilty of saying hurtful things in a moment of anger or frustration. On the other hand, we feel good about ourselves when we encourage people and so do they. And so, each of us has the power within us to be an encourager or a discourager. We can build up or we can tear down and destroy with our words. Let us not make excuses for losing our temper and saying hurtful things, but let us take the time to confess our sin to God and apologize to the person(s) whom we have hurt. Remember the words of James in the Holy Bible:

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom (James 3: 11-13).

Holy Bible: The Tongue Has Great Potential For Good and Evil

Before closing, I would like to share this little story that I came across today that was shared in a local newspaper. The story did not have a title, but the points that it makes are valid for our discussion nonetheless. The story is as follows:

Once upon a time, a king decided to test the wisdom of his chief adviser. He pondered a long time on the best kind of test and eventually decided on a meal. The king believed that a meal shared with friends was one of the greatest pleasures on earth. So he ordered the adviser to prepare the finest meal he could think of for a palace celebration. The adviser did not hesitate for long. He loved ox tongue with its rich sauces and trimmings.

On the chosen evening, the king and his guest sat down to a mouth-watering, sweet smelling dinner of tongue. At the end of the meal, all agreed that the adviser had proven himself a very gifted cook. The company had never tasted so excellent a meal. The king, however, insisted on knowing why the adviser thought this choice of menu was best.

“What could be better than tongue?” ask the adviser. “In life, with the words of the tongue we greet and name each other, speak and tell others where we are, share joy, bring hope, comfort and support, retell stories of the memories of the ancestors and fashion the dreams of the time that is still to come. Nothing is so fine as the gift of the tongue.”

This answer greatly pleased the king. There was only one final test to prove the wisdom of his chosen adviser beyond doubt. “Tomorrow,” he said, “I want you to prepare the worst meal in the world for the company.” Again, the adviser showed no hesitation and began to prepare the menu.

The next evening, the company gathered around the table again. The smells from the kitchen seemed familiar and when the meal was set on the table they were all surprised because it looked and tasted exactly like the meal of the previous evening. All cut the meal carefully, examined it, chewed it slowly, but none could find any difference.

“Have you not served that delicious meal of tongue again?” asked the king. “It is not possible that it can also be the worst meal in the world. Privately, the king was disappointed. He had been so confident in the wisdom of his adviser after the first test.

“What can sow doubt and confusion more skillfully than the tongue?” asked the adviser. “There are very few other things that can spread so much evil. It can lie and deceive, stir up hatred and anger, play the coward, abuse and terrify and, most often of all, is empty and hollow, using many words to say nothing at all. A tongue can be the worst instrument in the world.” The wisdom of the answer silenced the king. He found that he had much to ponder.

King Solomon, in the Holy Bible, taught us many valuable lessons concerning the power of the tongue. Two of those lessons are worth noting at the close of this discussion: (1) “Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23), and (2) “Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense” (Proverbs 17:28). Some very wise counsel indeed. Counsel that I pray we all will heed.

I leave these thoughts with you humbly in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.

What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QuiloZIbI0

Additional Resources:

Official Site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, “The Mormon Church”).

Get a free copy of The Book of Mormon

How to find the word of God.