My testimony

Moroni 10
Moroni seals up the Book of Mormon to be brought forth in our day. He bears his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the power of the Holy Ghost. He tells us to lay hold upon every good gift. He exhorts us to come unto Christ and be perfect in him.

Where to begin? What to focus on? I always am so sad when I finish the Book of Mormon. As I prayed this morning, I prayed for the Spirit to testify to me again of its truth. Do I need the lightning crash? Not any more. I have a quiet peace when I read and I just know these are truths. These truths burn in my soul every time I read them.

As I read the list of “gifts”, I can identify my one clear gift, i,e. exceedingly great faith. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that when something happens to me – for good or for bad, that it is for my good, my experience and learning. Is it because of my faith, or because of my experiences? That I'm not sure of. But I do know that I can hold on through the difficult trials. When I see my children struggle, I know it is for their benefit as well, and I thank Heavenly Father for their trials as well. I also know that He will be there for them when they turn to Him and then they will know. I know this just as surely as I know the sun will come up in the morning. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to Him. He wants to give us gifts. He knows the only way for that to happen is for us to come unto Christ, His son, who died so that we might return to our Heavenly Father – spotless. I don't understand how it's done. But I know that it is done.

I have marveled for many years that the Lord loves us in spite of our shortcomings. He forgives us when we stray and return. That forgiveness is so complete that if we can only forgive ourselves, we can have access to an amazing life. It may not be the life that we designed for ourselves, but it will be a life so far to exceed our expectations that we will ponder in awe at how it is done. I know as I have experienced it for myself.

So where does this knowledge leave me today? With an ever-increased desire to do the will of my Heavenly Father – keep moving forward and accepting life as He has designed it. To do my best in living righteously that I might be instrumental in “strengthening the stakes” and enlarging the borders of His kingdom. I do this by denying myself of all unrighteousness – again, by touching not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing (v30 & 31). And I will forever be grateful for the power of the Atonement which allows us to repent when we slip up – as we all will do.