Taken from the article written by Elder Neil L Anderson (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) that appeared in the Liahona (Oct 2011)
For the complete article click here.
A Prophet Testifies
“All the ingenuity of all the men under heaven could not compose and present to the world a book like the Book of Mormon. Its principles are divine—they are from God. They could never emanate from the mind of an imposter, or from the mind of a person writing a novel. Why? Because the promises and prophecies it contains are being fulfilled in the sight of all the earth.”
President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98), Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 119.
All Because of the Book of Mormon
It was six months since I had been baptized, and I did not have a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. One day when I had no desire to read the scriptures, I recalled my Gospel Principles teacher saying, “When you do not feel the desire to read, it is because Satan does not want you to read the scriptures.” Because of that warning, I opened the Book of Mormon. I read, “Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?” (Alma 26:17). Those words filled my soul with joy because I remembered my state before becoming a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Lord testified in my heart of the truth of the Book of Mormon.
I had not wanted to be a full-time missionary, but after that day everything changed. I felt very strongly that the world needed to know the truth, and I began to prepare myself. I went to my leaders and told them of my desire to serve. I explained to my parents, who lived in another city and were not members of the Church. Then I sold everything I had and bought clothes for my mission. The end result was that I served a mission from 2003 to 2005.
Today, my family—including my wife and our daughter—is sealed eternally. This blessing is also due to my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is true, for it bears testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I draw close to God when I read this sacred record.
~Adilson Lucero dos Santos , Paraná , Brazil
Two Books, One Eternal Family
My husband was coming home when he found a bag in the street. To his surprise, inside was a copy of the Book of Mormon. He brought it home and showed it to me. He read it for a while, found it interesting, but eventually put it away.
A short time later, he died. I went to one church after another looking for comfort and wanting to know if life would go on after death. I was engulfed in doubt, with many unanswered questions.
Then on my way to work, I saw a book that I recognized on the sidewalk—the Book of Mormon. I took it with me because finding it brought back memories of my dear husband. I mentioned my discovery to someone who suggested that I read it.
The days went by, and one night I visited my sister, who was a Latter-day Saint. The full-time missionaries were there, and they sang the hymn “I Am a Child of God.” I knew right then that the missionaries could answer my questions.
After receiving the discussions and gaining a testimony, I was baptized. Today I can testify with total certainty that Joseph Smith saw the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
I believe it was no coincidence that my husband and I both found the Book of Mormon. Even though my husband was not able to be baptized during his life, I am happy that, because of temple ordinances, he and I and our two precious children can be together as a family for all eternity. The Book of Mormon brought us together and brought peace to our souls.
Ancient Events, Modern Applications
I can always find answers in the Book of Mormon. I’m learning many things from studying it, and I feel I’m changing in good ways.
Recently I was considering what to do now that my six children are raised. I wondered what Heavenly Father desired me to do.
In my regular scripture study, I came across one of the stories of war in the Book of Mormon. I was struck by Moroni ’s call to action in defending, among other things, families (see Alma 46:12). The Nephites were determined to protect their families. As I read that story, I decided that no matter what, I wanted to have that same purpose in my life, to fight for family. It was a personal, tender experience.
I know that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. I am grateful that I can go to this book for direction in my life; it truly is an iron rod (see 1 Nephi 8).
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