In a world of ups and downs, we feel like we are left to our own devises and the words of experts and others to discern truth.
This was NOT how God meant it to be.
Everything from the patterns of prophets, Christ’s atonement, further light and knowledge we receive from continued revelation are NOT supposed to be words that we take as true because it was said from our parents, our friends, or some weirdo posting it on his blog [Yes, I’m talking about me “ ) ]
God gives us the choice to work through life through our own devices, but the purpose of life is to acknowledge that we need His help. God is the source of all knowledge [he made it all, after all], and when we realize that we do not know everything, we ultimately take the word of God.
Back in 2005, Gordon B. Hinckley [the prophet at the time] gave everyone a challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.
At first I was reluctant; I was spending my fruitless scripture reading in some other place in the scriptures. I took my parents word that I needed to read the scriptures every night.
Please don’t get me wrong: to be a good influence is an excellent way to help your sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, husbands/wives, and friends/strangers to begin investigating and explore on their own.
However, there is a time for all men to chose whether or not to explore. I decided that I needed to read the Book of Mormon.
My reading became different. The words became alive: I envisioned myself in the same room with the prophets who wrote about it. I found how, even though I did not understand everything, ever verse applied to me.
One night [yes, in December], I finished reading the promise that the last prophet had given, that read:
“…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”
I’ve read that many times before, but in the quietness of my room, I tried it out for the first time.
The answer I received was not a heavenly visitation [like what Joseph Smith or other prophets had received]. I've had a lot of things on my mind prior and while reading.
After I concluded my prayer, my mind had become clear.
That night after I retired to bed, the “cleansing” of the mind and peace I felt was a personalized answer that God had indeed restored His truth again on the Earth.
I've learned more since then but my original confirmation is still as simple as this:
I know God exist
I know God loves us
I know that God loves us enough that He gave us Mercy while maintaining justice
I know that God calls prophets [like Adam, Noah, Moses, Joseph Smith and Tomas S. Monson] to further our knowledge in Truth, and will speak tomorrow to the world.
I know that if we read the scriptures, listen to the prophet's advice, follow the commandments and enter through ordinances and Covenants,
not only can we see Him again, but our Lives will improve, our families can be together forever, and we become more at ease, knowing that we are the fundamental piece in part of God's grand plan.
I know these things are true. And I say it in the Name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!
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