For the next series of posts I plan on focusing on different stories from the Book of Mormon and the lessons we can learn from them. In trying to decide where to start, I thought that the best place to start would be the promise that Moroni gives us when we read the Book of Mormon.
In Moroni 10:3-5 it reads:
"3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in your chearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
What a beautiful promise. It follows the Lord's teachings that we "receive no witness until after the trial of our faith" (Alma 32:21). Moroni clearly teaches us that is we read the Book of Mormon we can remember how merciful the Lord is. How merciful He is in showing His children the way, in providing a way for the children of men to know who Jesus Christ is and to know that He is "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
So, first step, read. Read and treasure up the words. Recognize that the message of the Book of Mormon is a message of love, a message of mercy from the Lord.
Next, ask God if these things are not true. I have read the Book of Mormon a number of times and I would think it safe to say that anyone who does sincerely read this book would at least hope that it would be true. The message is so sweet. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He has provided a way for us to return to live with Him. His way brings happiness and peace. He will guide us throughout our lives if we let Him. He will forgive us. He loves us. So once we have read these sweet messages, the next step is to ask God.
Not just ask God though, we must ask with a "sincere heart, with real intent, having faith." That's probably the hardest part I would think. We just can't ask God casually. We have to REALLY want to know, to the point that we will act on the answer we get. We have to be willing to follow Christ once we have received a confirmation that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, just as the Bible is. We have to be intent on doing what the Lord asks of us in answer to our prayer. Like I wrote about last week, faith is a principle of action. If we are sincere, have intent and have faith in Christ, we will act.
And finally, our answer will come by the Holy Ghost. We can know the truth of ALL things. Not just some things, not just an occassional truth here or there. The introduction to the Book of Mormon tells us just a few of the truths we are promised we can know if we follow the pattern Moroni described. It says:
"Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah."
I would like to echo many prophets in inviting everyone to read the Book of Mormon. You don't have to take my word for it, you don't have to take your parent's word for it, you don't have to take the missionaries' word for it, you don't have to take the prophet's word for it. Test it. Take Moroni's promise as a challenge. Read the Book of Mormon sincerely and with real intent and I know the Holy Ghost will testify to you that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
I love the Book of Mormon with all my heart and I know it is true. I am so grateful for the prophets that wrote the teachings of Christ for our day. I am so grateful that Joseph Smith humbled himself before the Lord and translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I am grateful to have a prophet on the earth today. Read the Book of Mormon and let it change your life.
