I wanted to take a few minutes and share some thoughts and feelings about my favorite book. I read the entire Book of Mormon in the space of a few weeks over the summer, and I've read it many times in earlier years, but I don't often feel like I have a good chance to share what I think and feel about this book.
The Book of Mormon And Bible:
Two testimonies of two nations
about the same Jesus Christ.
First, it is my favorite book. I believe that, as Joseph Smith once said, it is both the most correct book on the earth and the one whose principles can get you the nearest to God. I believe fully in the Bible, and I've had many poignant moments in its pages. I especially enjoy the Gospels, which speak of our Lord's mortal ministry, his miracles and eternal sacrifice. I enjoy the hidden gems in the Old Testament, like those I have found in searching Isaiah (I know, I'm weird. I enjoy Isaiah). As wonderful and inspired and holy as the Bible is, though, I believe it is missing important things, and because of the things it is missing, it can be difficult to get to the truth from it. Using the Book of Mormon as a guide, however, many difficult parts of the Bible can be better understood. The Book of Mormon was prepared by prophets for us, in our day. They knew what would be missing from the Bible by the time we received it, and they prepared the Book of Mormon to restore what they knew would be lost.
Joseph Smith
There is another reason, perhaps more important, that I love the Book of Mormon, though, and that is for what it represents. As poignant and important as are its teachings, it is proof positive that our Heavenly Father can and does still reveal truths to us in our day, and that may be even more important. With study, and prayer, and the influence of the Spirit, we can get revelation from God tailored to our needs. Furthermore, the Book of Mormon was brought forth by a prophet, Joseph Smith, who held the same power that the miracle-performing prophets in the Bible held. That includes the authority to perform ordinances, such as baptism and receiving the permanent gift of the Holy Ghost, with confidence that those ordinances are accepted of God and will be recognized after this life. That power, the priesthood, has been conferred upon me, and it is available to every man who is willing to make himself worthy of it.
Finally, and most importantly, the Bible is a great way to gain a testimony of Christ, but so is the Book of Mormon. In its official title it proclaims itself to be 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ,' and so it is. Its most important role is to bring us to Christ. It includes a brief but deeply moving record of a visit that Jesus made to the people in the Americas after his Resurrection. Some have a hard time accepting that, and yet I find it to be a proof that God loves His children, no matter where they may be. Although they did eventually lose His gospel, He gave them the opportunity to have that gospel, even though Jesus' mortal life was lived thousands of miles from them. I understand many things about Jesus, his life and Atonement, from the pages of the Book of Mormon, that I may never have realized if I only had the Bible.
I invite any of you who are curious to know more to watch this video, in which a modern-day Apostle, from a modern Quorum of Twelve Apostles bears powerful and personal witness of the veracity and truthfulness of this book of scripture. Please ask me any questions you may have. I spent two years of my life sharing this with the people in France, due in no small part to the great love I have in my heart for this book, and for Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies, and of whom I testify, every day of my life. I'm not perfect, yet I hope those around me can see the light of Christ in me.
Fantastic post, keep writing!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Thanks for posting that, it was what I needed to read :)
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