The Book of Mormon

I just finished reading The Book of Mormon today and it doesn't matter how many times I have read it in the past, I always get more out of it each time I read it. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have the Book of Mormon in my life! I KNOW that it is a true book of scripture given to us by our Heavenly Father! I know that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and is a companion to the beloved Bible. I know that the teachings in the Book of Mormon were given to us as instruction and guidance for our own life's choices. The experiences that each of the prophets went through, in the course of the Book of Mormon, have taught me so much about faith, obedience, gratitude, perseverance, patience, humility, charity, etc. etc. There are times of happiness and prosperity, and there are times of sadness and despair. There are miracles and there are tragedies. There are triumphs and there are failures. There are all the things that we experience in our lives, in this day and age, and there are examples for us to follow in order to make it back to our Father in Heaven.

As I read the book of Moroni and reflected on the position that he was in when he wrote that book, I couldn't help but feel so sad for him. I cannot imagine being all alone in the world, knowing that all of your people have been killed off and that the rest of the world is so wicked that they cannot even begin to see the truth. The heartache that he must have gone through would have been unbearable! Yet, he persevered . . . and he prepared a way for all of us to learn from the teachings in the Book of Mormon, by hiding them away in the mount and preparing the way for young Joseph Smith to find them.

I am so thankful for the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that he was chosen for this last day to restore the Church of Jesus Christ and to bring forth the Book of Mormon from its state of hidden treasure. I know that he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ! I know that he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God and that He was, indeed, a prophet of God.

I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ LIVES! I know that He came to this Earth to fulfill our Father in Heaven's plan of salvation. I know that He volunteered to carry out our Father's plan and that He gave all the glory to His Father. I know that He atoned for the sins of the world and that He suffered, bled, and died on the cross so that He could be resurrected for all of us. He made it possible for us to live again! I know that He loves us and wants us to be happy. He has felt our sorrows and understands our pain and He has also felt our joy and understands our happiness. He Lives!!! I know that He lives and I know that because of it, I will one day be able to be reunited with my earthly father and will also be able to live with my own family for all Eternity.

I am thankful that I have had the privilege to be taught these things in the course of my life. I do not doubt them in any way . . . and I NEVER will! I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Jesus Christ restored to the Earth in this latter day. I know that it is lead by a true prophet of God, even President Thomas S. Monson. What a privilege it is to be a member of Heavenly Father's kingdom through baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ! I look forward to the day when I will be able to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. This is what keeps me on the right path - I have a yearning desire to make it back! I do not want anything to get in the way! I hope that I can always live my life in a way that would be pleasing to our Father in Heaven. I know that if I do, He WILL welcome me back into His presence after this life is complete! I say these things, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.