Sunday, August 4, 2013

The Book that has Changed My Life

When I left for Ukraine I set a goal to read this book everyday and finish it in the five months I was teaching English. As I started prayerfully studying and reading this book something was changing. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But I was changing and others were starting to notice. I was smiling more and genuinely felt more happy. I felt more concern for others. I LOVED going to church and learning more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My prayers became more sincere and more frequent. I found myself praying in my heart through out the day for me, friends, family, and random people on the metro. I had a stronger desire to keep the commandments and do what is right. I still wasn't perfect..and am still FAR from that but I realized I stopped caring as much about what others thought of me and more about what my Heavenly Father thinks of me. Family became more important than social life and serving became more important then a 'good time'. As I read the pages of this book I wanted to keep reading. I would stay up late reading and when I did stop I was looking forward to when I could start reading again. I did finish all 531 pages of the Book of Mormon and I gained such a deep love for this book. Since that time I have read it a few more times, on my own and with my husband and each time I feel that this book is special.

I believe that the messages and stories contained in this book are true. I know that it testifies of the life and mission of Jesus Christ. I know that it contains the word of God and by living by the teachings of this book we can come closer to Christ and closer to the person He wants us to be. I would challenge anyone to read this book, with an honest question in heart if it is true, and you will get your answer. I have asked and know that it is. My life has been forever changed and continues to change because of it. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sent His only Begotten Son to preform the Ultimate Sacrifice for us so that we may be welcomed back into the arms of our Father because of His Son's Grace. This plan is a plain and precious truth further explained in the Book of Mormon and that if read it we will know if it is truly from God. 

Moroni 10:4
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.

Feel free to ask me any questions about this book or about other beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or visit www.mormon.org to find out more of what we believe.