98- 12/23/24

 The Book of Mormon


Wow, what a week! Emma and Noah, what a beautiful wedding! We were so excited to share in that special, special day with you. We couldn’t be more happy for you both. 

We are at the beginning of a holiday break that we get to spend a lot of quality time together over the next couple of weeks. This will be the perfect capstone to a very eventful year. We got Miles back from his mission, we’ve added another awesome family member in Noah, and so many other amazing blessings throughout the year. We really have been so blessed as a family in 2024!


As our Come Follow Me study of the Book of Mormon has wrapped up for the year, and on this, the 23rd of December, Joseph Smith’s 219th birthday, I  would like to take this opportunity to extend to all of us once again Moroni’s invitation. To take a quiet few minutes, secluded from the distractions that surround us, and kneel in prayer. Earnestly seeking  once again for a spiritual conformation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. As that witness comes, may it also bolster your personal testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Consider in his short life, all that the Lord accomplished through this faithful, fearless, and loyal servant. 


I want you each to know of the strong testimony I have of the Book of Mormon. It is the “cornerstone” of my faith. A sure witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that He was resurrected, and that He suffered for the sins of all. Because of the Book of Mormon, all other teachings and principles of the Church come together for me. Where I have questions, I lean back to my testimony of the Book of Mormon. As I study and ponder its teachings I feel an outpouring of the Spirit in my life, I feel motivated to engage in the work of salvation, and I feel a peace and closeness to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have found true the promise given by the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding the Book of Mormon -  “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (History of the Church, 4:461).


I am so grateful for this wonderful book of scripture. Prepared by God, to help lead us safely back into His presence. I hope you will each take time to reflect on your own personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. To express gratitude for the glorious truths it teaches us, and to reaffirm your personal testimony that the Prophet Joseph Smith is God’s prophet of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As this witness comes to you again, I would encourage you to journal about it, bear testimony of it. Let your witness be a strength to others.


So here is Moroni’s challenge. Take it! And be strengthened by it!


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 merciful 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 ponder it in your hearts.


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.


5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.


I love you all so very very much and can’t wait to spend time together these next couple of weeks. Love,


Dad

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