The Book of Mormon

If you know me at all you will know I'm not the biggest book worm on the block. I'll read when I have to or when I'm interested in a good book, but I would way much rather be out there having the adventures instead of reading about them. But there is this one book I just can't seem to put down. I've read it several times through now, and I plan on reading it several more times, in fact I plan on never stopping! This book is amazing. It makes me want to be a better person. Its got adventure, its got mystery, it even has a bit of romance! It is a history book, it is life changing, it is the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon is scripture written over 2000 years ago. Prophets of old living on the American continents were commanded by God to write their history and He promised them "that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations." Alma 37:18

We have this scripture on the earth today as a witness that Jesus Christs is the savior of this world. This record testifies that he did live, and that he was resurrected. The Prophet that finished this record before it was buried in the earth well over a thousand years ago gave a promise as his final testimony. 

Moroni 10:3-5

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

The same promise is given to everyone in the introduction to the Book of Mormon itself.

 "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah."


I know that the message of the Book of Mormon is true. I have done as Moroni asks, and I have read and studied these words, I have prayed on my knees to my Heavenly Father and I have felt his spirit speak peace to my soul. I felt that feeling the whole time I read! That is why I still continue to read it!

This book gives me hope. It strengthens my faith. I now know that God really is my father. I know that Christ lived and died for me. I know this because the spirit told me as I prayed and asked the Lord. And I know that you can have the same experience. It takes faith, it takes time, but the result is so worth it. There is no greater blessing than having the spirit present in your life.

So no matter who you are I invite you to read the Book of Mormon. It is a true book. It WILL change your life for the better, and you Will feel of its power and truthfulness as you experience the feelings of the Spirit as you read and study its pages.

I say these things are true and do so in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 for a free copy of the Book of Mormon please visit:

 http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

The Restoration

res·to·ra·tion  [res-tuh-rey-shuhn]  

noun

1. the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment.

2. the state or fact of being restored.

3. a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition.

4. restitution of something taken away or lost.

Christ came to earth for many reasons. He came to earth to live a sinless life. To  established His Church, to teach His gospel, and preform many miracles. He came to earth and chose twelve righteous men to assist Him in His ministry. He gave them the priesthood authority to teach in His name and to preform sacred saving ordinances, like baptism.

Christ suffered in the garden and ultimately died on the cross for the sins of the entire world. For everyone on the earth or who would ever be on the earth. Through His suffering, death and resurrection, the Savior made it possible for us to be forgiven. If we have faith in Him, repent of our mistakes, and keep His commandments we can receive forgiveness of our sins and we can be filled with peace and joy.

Christ taught His apostles after His resurrection to teach this to everyone. Though the authority Jesus gave them they were able to do this and were able to preform the ordinances necessary to enter into God's kingdom. His apostles were later killed and the priesthood that Christ gave them was taken off of the earth. With out the authority or the inspired leaders of the church, Christ's Church and gospel was lost.

Many of the truths taught by Christ and His Apostles still remained, but with out the divine leadership, the church was reformed and change through time. Many important principals were lost or forgotten. Christ's church was no more. Without priesthood authority, Christ's gospel could not be returned to its original form. A restoration was needed.

Watch this:

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-02-04-the-message-of-the-restoration?lang=eng

I add my testimony to that of Elder Perry's. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. I know that God still speaks to a Prophet today, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to experience true joy and lasting happiness in this life and in the life to come. I know these things are true, and you can know as well. I invite you to do as Joseph Smith did, that is to ask God if Christ's church is on the earth and I know that God will give you an answer.

Watch This:

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-06-002-origin?lang=eng