Small & Simple

Yesterday someone asked me how I felt about the Book of Mormon. My response? It is my best friend. Strange that a book can be my best friend but tis true. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have needed answers or comfort or help and the Book of Mormon has supplied. Page after page of inspiration and solutions just waiting. When I was young I heard the saying, "If you want to talk to God pray and if you want God to talk to you read the scriptures." I think from the moment I first heard that I believed it. If the Book of Mormon is the word of God of course it would be a way of Him communicating with me. Like letters and stories God wrote to me to help me along the way. I just love it.

But the Book of Mormon is my best friend for another reason. It is how I know that Christ's church on this earth is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book comes with a promise. If you read it, ponder what it says, and sincerely ask God if it is His word then He will answer you. Well, I took the challenge and followed the instructions. And the Holy Ghost, as promised witnessed to me that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That meant that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God, was called to be God's prophet, and restored Christ's church on this earth. Crazy that I can know all this because of one little book but hey "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6). I got my answer and it carries me through all trials, tempests, and doubt. So here is my commitment to you: try it for yourself. Read the Book of Mormon (click here to get one for free), ponder what it says, and then get on your knees and through prayer ask God yourself. It is that simple. I promise that you will get an answer if you are sincere. God loves you and does answer prayers. And when He does you will have a new best friend.

An Ensign to the Nations

Next weekend is General Conference and I am so excited! We get to listen to a prophets and apostles. What a blessing! We get to hear what the Lord has to say through His servants. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the twelve apostles gave a wonderful talk last year about the gift that it is to have modern revelation. I want to share it with you.

If you want to watch General Conference click here.

Meaningful

Prayer and faith, they just naturally go together. Like peanut butter and jelly or Oreos and milk. Alone they are good, but together they are AMAZING! Lately thought I only seem to be getting one or the other. I came to realize it when I was reading The Book of Mormon and found this verse:

"O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him." (Mormon 9:27)

I wasn't doing both and therefore wasn't receiving the full help and blessings I could. So I made a change and what a difference it has made. I find my prayers are meaningful and that I have the Spirit with me more often. I am able to accomplish the work that I am called to with greater ability and success. It is wonderful! So what are you going to do to make your prayers more meaningful?

“As we speak of prayer, I emphasize the word meaningful. Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer.”

Elder David A. Bednar

Then What Else Matters

Today I read a story shared by Elder Neil A. Anderson and really liked it. So I am sharing it with you:

"Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of meeting a young naval officer from Asia. The officer had not been a Christian, but during training in the United States, he had learned about the Church and was baptized. He was now preparing to return to his native land.

President Hinckley asked the officer: “Your people are not Christians. What will happen when you return home a Christian, and, more particularly, a Mormon Christian?”

The officer’s face clouded, and he replied: “My family will be disappointed. … As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me.”

President Hinckley asked, “Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?”

With his dark eyes moistened by tears, he answered with a question: “It’s true, isn’t it?”

President Hinckley responded, “Yes, it is true.”

To which the officer replied, “Then what else matters?”"

(Click here to read the rest the talk)

I love what the officer said at the end. The gospel is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of our Savior. And that is all that matters.