~by Michelle (and her dad)

My dad recently sent out some notes to our extended family from a lesson he gave on the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I responded to the group, asking if anyone wanted to share thoughts, feelings, or experiences with the Book of Mormon.

This story from my dad’s days as a missionary is one I treasure.

I grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faithfully following its precepts, beliefs, and the example of other wonderful members. My testimony was always strong, but as I approached accepting a call to serve as a full-time missionary for two years at age 19, I found myself praying often for a very personal and strongly spiritual confirmation that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true.

Late one night, while at the Church’s Language Training Mission [now called the Missionary Training Center; the Language Training Mission link is from 1971], I got up and went to one of the classrooms and knelt in solemn prayer. The scriptures tell us that one of the ways to receive answers from God is through a “burning in the bosom.” That was my experience! The Spirit let me know that Joseph Smith, a prophet of the living God, did, in fact, translate The Book of Mormon, by the gift and power of God. It is ancient scripture, like the Bible, and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Because of that answer to prayer, I knew then and know now, from very personal and sacred experience, that these things are true… and also that The Church of Jesus Christ, with Him at the head, has been restored and is on the earth today.

One of the wonderful things about the Book of Mormon, which truly carries a special spirit of its own, is a promise at the end that anyone can know of its truth. If you read, ponder and, “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.” That happened to me!

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