JasonTjapkes's picture

How did my Book of Mormon survive?

Submitted by JasonTjapkes on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 02:24

I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later day Saints on July, 4th 1997 almost 13 years ago. Since that time I have moved more then 12 times, almost one time every year since my baptism. I am not sure if it is tradition but the Elders who taught me the discussions wrote their names in the book of Mormon that they gave me. I still have that book that they signed more then 13 years ago. Now to some it may seem that holding unto a specific item for 13 years is not an accomplishment worth talking about. I think if I were to better explain my inactivity in the church and the circumstances in which I moved from one home to another you might reconsider. When I think back to some of the Chaos and distress I was under during some of those sudden moves and how at times I could only take with me a bag or two the thought that I still have that same book of Mormon in front of me right now is unbelievable. I don't even remember packing it up all the different times that I moved. The fact that I still have it though would mean that at some point during a move when I was deciding what I could take and what I had to leave behind I picked up that book of Mormon and must of said to myself "this is important, I am going to need this someday, and I cant afford to leave it behind". Although there were times in my life when I was not reading the book of Mormon on a daily or even monthly bases when I only had minutes to pack a bag I always reached for that book and made sure it was with me. Today I don't neglect the book of Mormon like I use to, It is with me every Sunday at sacrament meeting, it is with me before bed and it is with me many other times throughout the day. Out of all my possessions there is no greater treasure then the Holy word of God, the book of Mormon.

I Know This Is The Way And The Truth

Submitted by astasser on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 14:17

I would like to share my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with you. I know this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. One of our Articles of Faith is, "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ to the earth again in our dispensation. I know Joseph Smith restored the keys to the priesthood to the earth in our dispensation also. I know the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon to be scriptures hand-in-hand with the Bible. I know that reading the Book of Mormon every day helps me with my every day life and trials. The Book of Mormon gives me a spiritual strength to stand up to the trials that life brings to us in all things. I know the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be true. I feel a strength and renewal every Sunday that helps me to stand strong during the week. I feel a love for my family that is a much greater love than I have ever felt before. The love of Christ brings a much deeper love and committment to us and to our families. I know these things are true because I knelt in prayer with an honest desire to ask my Heavenly Father to help me know if they are true, and I received an answer to that prayer. I know that everyone can know that they are true for themselves if they turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and a sincere desire. Heavenly Father will manifest the truthfulness of the gospel to you in a way that there is no mistaking it. I love my family with all of my heart and truly desire everyone to have the opportunity to know of a better way through trials and sorrow. Our lives have been truly blessed with a greater love and happiness through our Savior's Plan of Happiness. Joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has shown us the way to a better life and answered all of the questions of our hearts. We know who we are, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. My husband and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Denver Temple. I am so very grateful to know that I will be with him again someday when it is my time to join him. When he had a fatal car accident in 2004, the only thing that kept me putting one foot in front of the other was knowing I will be with him again someday. Knowing the Plan of Happiness at that time of great sorrow and loss gave me the strength and courage to continue on to live a more Christlike life so that I can be with my husband again.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. As we have listened to his counsel and implemented it into our lives we have been very blessed and protected through some of the hardest trials we have endured. I know that we are each children of a Heavenly Father and he loves us and wants the best for us. He has given us a true prophet so that we know the communication is always open to us to help lead us and guide us and protect us in a world of confusion and despair.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Liahona79's picture

My Testimony

Submitted by Liahona79 on Thu, 04/15/2010 - 14:41

During the past few weeks I have had several experiences which have strengthened my faith and testimony. I was baptized on April 17th, 2010 and I knew the Book of Mormon was true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, but at that point was still learning and I will be doing that for the rest of my life, but I needed a little more. I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona two weeks after my baptism and there I saw some of our Lord's most beautiful work. I came home and all the while I was still reading the Book of Mormon and praying, for a stronger testimony. I was able to visit the Gila Valley Arizona Temple open house on Monday, May 3rd and there I felt the spirit, not for the first time, but for the first time in the house of the Lord. I know our Heavenly Father and His son love us and that They both live. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is indeed true and divinely inspired. I know that the Temple is the House of the Lord and the saving ordinances performed there for ourselves and our ancestors are the way to exaltation. I know that we have a prophet of God today, Thomas S. Monson and he leads us through a very trouble world.

I know that the Book of Mormon can and will transform our lives, if we will continue to read and pray, because the Holy Spirit wants each of us to know the truth of it for ourselves. I know that the Gospel has been restored to the earth and in these last days we must come unto Christ and be made whole in Him. Of these things I earnestly testify in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

My Testimony

Submitted by cchampio on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 16:51

I know that this Church is true, Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration and he did see what he said he saw.
God the Father and Jesus Christ live and love each and everyone of us.
I know that I am a child of God
I know that temples are the house of God and that with in their walls are sacred and eternal ordinances are performed.
I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on the earth today and he leads and guides the Church through the direction of Jesus Christ.
I know that Christ atoned for my sins and for the whole worlds.
I know that God and Christ love us and desire us to return to them.
I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God as well as THe Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
Through the words of the scriptures we can and do find happiness.
The power of prayer is real for I have felt it lift me and raise me in times of great need.
The priesthood id from God and truly is the power of Heaven!
Families can and are eternal.

louisbranco1's picture

Are Mormons Christian?

Submitted by louisbranco1 on Tue, 08/03/2010 - 06:31

The answer to the question "Are Mormons Christian?" is a resounding YES!. I am a Mormon and like all other Mormons I believe in the same Jesus Christ that Lutherans, Penticostals, Baptists, Catholics, etc believe in. I believe in the Jesus Christ that was born 2010 years ago, assuming our calendar is correct. I believe that his father was God, his mother was Mary, his adopted father was Joseph. I believe that He was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. At age 30 He began his ministry. He called 12 apostles, Peter, James, John, etc., went around doing good, performed many miracles, lived a perfect life, was betrayed by Judas, was crucified for the sins of the world, was ressurected on the 3rd day. He taught his gospel before and after his ressurection. I believe He will come again, this time, in glory.

So, as you can see, my dear non Mormon friends. We believe in the same Jesus Christ, the only one through which salvation can be had. Some of you have been taught that we are not Christians because we do not believe in the trinity in the same way you do. Please consider this; When Jesus was praying to his Father saying "not my will but thy will be done", or "into thy hands I commend my spirit" was he praying to himself? To me that would sound obsurd! In the Bible there are many passages that refer to Jesus and the Father being one. Fortunately we also have a scripture in the Bible that explains what He meant when He said they were one. In John 17:21-22, again praying to his Father, He asks that his disciples be one with him "as" He is with the Father. Clearly his disciples could not be one with him in person therefore when He refers to him and the Father being one He obviously means "in purpose" not in person. God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are indeed one, in purpose, not in person. Their purpose is to bring to pass the ressurection and eternal life of man.

As Mormons we are blessed to have more information about our Savior Jesus Christ than what is contained in the Bible. It's called "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ". I encourage you to read it with an open mind and then ask God himself in the name of Jesus Christ if it's true. Only then will you know for sure because the Holy Ghost will reveal it to your mind and heart in such a powerful way that you will know it for yourself without the need to accept anybody else's opinion on it. As I studied about the Church at the age of 24 I became very impressed and convinced of its truthfullness because of how much sense it made. But being "convinced" is not nearly as powerful as being "converted". That came when I read The Book of Mormon as put it's promise to the test.

The Church does not want this information to be a secret. That is why they are sending about 50 thousand missionaries throughout the world each year, to spread this information. These 50,000 go for 2 years at their own expense (talk about putting your money where your mouth is, I've always been very impressed with that, it speaks volumes about their sincerity). Just one last word in case you're still scared to check this out for yourself; we also believe and teach from the Bible and regard it very highly. We just happen to have additional scripture which makes things in the Bible much more understandable. I always use this example; a person who does not see well, never realizes how much they don't see until they put on glasses. Then they say "oh, I can see leaves on that tree, whereas before I could only see a mass of green.

I testify to you that I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true and authorised kingdom of God in these last days and that it's here to prepare a people for Jesus Christ's glorious second coming. My life has been richly blessed by this knowlege for the last 34 years. It was the best decision I ever made. I hope that you decide to get "your own set of glasses" and be blessed with all the blessings that Our Father in Heaven has in store for you. I leave this testimony with you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.