I Testify

In my Preach My Gospel study, I was guided to read from the Book of Mormon the reasons why prophets wrote.  Ultimately, it is for us as the House of Israel is gathered in.  The Book of Mormon will condemn those who have it and choose to ignore its teachings.  It persuades us to Come Unto Christ numerous times.  It is to give us hope like that of the Nephites.  Hope in what?  We have hope in the knowledge that the war has already been fought and we know who won.  What we don’t know is which team we will be on.  We can have hope in our own salvation.  The Book of Mormon tells us of the Lord’s plan, the great plan of happiness, aka The Plan of Salvation.  It also exhorts us to believe in Christ and to come unto Him.

I know the Book of Mormon is God’s word to us.  I read it many times knowing this, but not understanding all that it contained.  As the years have gone on, I’ve come to understand it more and more and realize what a blessing it is in my own life.  I have seen it change lives.  One life in particular was my daughter’s – one who has such a hard time believing.  She was challenged to read it from cover to cover with the assignment to mark wherever the word “love” appeared.  She did, and as she did, she began to enjoy its message and a softening of her heart.  However, one needs to continue to enjoy.  It is our continued effort to read daily that puts the drops of oil in our lamps that we will have light until the Savior comes again.  I know this is a truth and that we cannot afford to let a day go by without reading from its pages.  I know our Savior loves me because the spirit bears witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon and the evidence of his love for the Nephites is written throughout the book.  I know Heavenly Father has a plan, and I am very much a part of that plan.  What a blessing to know I’m involved in that Plan! 

I read 3 Nephi 21 this morning where the Savior is still amongst the Nephites after his resurrection.  He told them (us) to watch for a sign of his coming.  That sign was the Book of Mormon.  Its coming forth is a sign of the beginning of the gathering of Israel.  The fact that the minimum age for our missionaries has been changed to 18 for men and 19 for sisters is evidence to me that the gathering is being hastened.  We are sending out valiant young men and young women to share this wonderful book with the world.  I’m so grateful to know many of these young people as they are preparing.  They will be amazing, and I can see the Lord working in their lives as well.

I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon.  It gives me hope in the sadness of our lives both politically and personally.  It allows me to feel the love Heavenly Father has for his people and me.  It calls me to Come Unto Christ and I’m able to do that by keeping his commandments and feasting daily from this amazing book. 

My marching orders this day are to ponder the many blessings I enjoy because I have the knowledge of this book at my disposal.  What a blessing it is!