Mosiah 4 – This chapter is full of nuggets to chew on for hours! However, as important as it would be to focus on the Atonement, verse 3 grabbed my attention this morning.
“. . . after they had spoken these words. . .[they were] filled with joy . . .[and] peace of conscience because of the exceeding faith they had in Jesus Christ. . . “
What were the words they spoke? What were they thinking after King Benjamin delivered his message?
> Fear of the Lord
> They saw their own carnal condition
They spoke: > O have mercy
> Apply atoning blood of Christ
> Forgive us of our sins
> Purify our hearts
> We believe in Jesus Christ.
It is this last bullet that hit me like a brick. I have always believed the truthfulness of the church. For a time in my youth, I lacked the strength to live these truths.
It wasn’t until I was preparing to go to the temple that I realized I had not really had the Holy Ghost confirm to me the truth of the gospel. (Probably He had, but I didn't get the message.) A Sunday School teacher in our Temple Prep class told us how to obtain this witness. I was eager to try it for myself.
It was a Fast Sunday back in the days when Sunday School was in the morning and we returned to church in the evening for Fast and Testimony meeting. I went home and did as the Sunday School teacher suggested:
> Had prayer and continued fasting
> Prayed that Satan would be rebuked from my home
> Prayed for the Holy Ghost to witness to me
> Read and pondered
The afternoon was long; I was alone. I fell asleep (oh so like the "natural man") and realized nothing had happened when I awoke. I was devastated!
My intent was to bear my testimony that day, but how could I? Maybe it wasn’t true after all? Oh the thoughts of disappointment. I concluded I would bear my testimony anyway, but I would be careful not to say anything I didn’t know to be true through the Spirit.
As I stood to bear testimony, the first words that poured out of my mouth were “I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ to be true.” The only thing I remember from that point on was a warmth that began to resonate through my bosom. The more I said “I know”, the more the warmth poured through my entire body. I knew, and I knew I knew through the power of the Holy Ghost. I was filled with joy so completely that all I could do was cry in a way I had never cried before. When I have struggled since that time – wondering if maybe I’ve been forgotten for whatever reason, I remember that witness. It was so strong and so custom-made for me, I could never forget it or deny it.
No comments:
Post a Comment