Yeah, I know. It's been a while since I've posted. You find out that the longer you've been out on your mission, the less time there is to do things. Unfortunately, my blog just happened to be something that I just haven't had the time to do. I want to write about something that has been on my mind in the last month or so since I've posted.
A lot of emphasis has been made, both in the Ensign magazine and in the most recent General Conference a few weeks ago, about the Book of Mormon. I talk to a lot of people everyday of various religious backgrounds, yet so few people understand what this precious book of scripture is or how it can help them in their lives. A lot of people can't even accept it as scripture.
Members of the Church believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We accept the King James Version as the most correct translation. The Lord Himself tells us to study and teach out of the Bible: " And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible..." (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12). Yet, there are some things that the Bible never mentions at all or leaves unclear. This is where the Book of Mormon comes into play.
The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. Just as the Bible is a testament about Christ, the Book of Mormon provides an additional witness and testament about Him. It has the fullness of Christ's Gospel. It answers what the Bible leaves unclear. The Book of Mormon is a record a family who around 600 B.C. left Jerusalem at God's command and came to the Americas. This family soon split up into two nations: the Nephites and the Lamanites. Throughout the course of the book, God called prophets to warn the people of the consequences of sin and to tell of the coming of a Savior who would redeem them and suffer for their sins. The climax of the book is the personal appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to the people after He rose from the dead. He teaches them His Gospel, performs miracles, and organizes His church. The people live in peace for many years after His coming until the Nephites become so wicked that they are destroyed. Moroni, the last living Nephite and prophet to write in the Book of Mormon, gives this promise and testimony: "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. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ..." (Moroni 10: 4-5, 32)
A wonderful talk about the Book of Mormon was given in General Conference a few weeks ago. It was by Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy of the Church. Here is a link to his talk and I would encourage you to listen to his words. He explains things so clearly: http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-a-book-from-god?lang=eng
I know the Book is true because I have read it. I have felt the power and peace that it brings as I have searched its pages. I have asked the Author of all truth if the book is true, and I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true. I encourage all, as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ Himself, to read the Book of Mormon and find out for yourself. You will be blessed if you do. To request a free copy of the Book, go to http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/
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