I feel it a great privilege to take part in the greatest work on Earth. My dear brothers, sisters, friends, and family, I want you to know what it means to me to have the Lord's name on my chest. Oftentimes I feel unworthy and unqualified to bear the name of our Savior Jesus Christ and His church. But I feel it a Greta honor to do so. I have felt the great responsibility commissioned to Peter and the original and contemporary 12 apostles to feed His sheep. And I will forever be grateful for this opportunity to be on the Lord's errand and serve in whatever capacity He would be in.
Have you ever asked yourself, "what can I, out of all people, contribute to the Lord's kingdom in these latter days?" I certainly have. For those who know me I tend to be very self-critical. I'm a perfectionist. I want to testify and remind you that you were given weaknesses to make you humble and you were given talents to bless other children of God. Do a self inventory. You have been given gifts and talents for the growth and expansion of God's kingdom both on earth and in heaven. Use them! The greatest sadness would be arriving at the end of your life only to look back and see you had achieved but a small part of your potential. Each of you have a divine potential and much to offer. Pray to know how best to use your talents and efforts and an eternal perspective to understand your worth.
Once again I'm grateful for the unwavering and constant support of each of you. I truly could not do it without you. This past week has been a week of miracles, and I have felt the witness of the Holy Ghost on many occasions. A wise youth church leader once told me that "a testimony is found in the bearing of it." I have been subject to the truth of that statement time and time again, as the Spirit of the Lord has confirmed to me and to those I teach the truthfulness of what we share. I DO know, brothers and sisters, that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. That the primitive organization is once again upon the face of the Earth and that the evidence is piling up as we near the second coming. Perhaps the greatest piece of evidence being that of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith, the modern day prophet called of God to restore His church more than 200 years ago, translated this ancient record from a primitive language into English. Our claims to restored priesthood power, doctrine, and the true church all depend on whether the Book of Mormon is true or not. This 531 page book was translated in 90 days by a man with a 3rd grade level education. - One draft. No sources. Now to me there are only 4 potential sources for the Book of Mormon.
1. It's inspired by the devil. Okay, if that is the case I invite you to open to any word, any verse, on ANY page of the book of mormon and show me where it talks about the devil or where it is inspired of him. I have read this book 3 times now, cover to cover, and have yet to read anything that has not grown me closer to Jesus Christ.
2. Joseph Smith made it up. To be blunt, to have the faith to say Joseph Smith wrote the book of mormon from his own mind and creativity is greater faith than seeing angels. Read the complexity of the Book of Mormon and advanced grammer and writing styles then you'll know what I'm talking about.
3. Oliver Cowdery or someone else wrote it. Okay, then why didn't any of them claim to write it? Why didn't any claim royalties on a book read by millions? Not to mention that each person involved in the translation went to their grave denying ever written it.
4. The 4th reason is that of the truth - that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God as evidence of the restoration. That it came forth that way he said it came forth and that any man disiring to come to a fulness of joy and peace with a relationship with Christ cannot do so without first addressing the divinity of the Book of Mormon.
The invitation is clear. Those who read the Book of Mormon, ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and pray to God asking if it is true will recieve, through the power of the Holy Ghost, an answer. I bear witness of that truth. I have read and asked God on multiple occasions now if the Book of Mormon is true and without fail I have felt in my heart and mind the spirit of peace and love which has overcome me, testifying to me it is true. I invite you, wherever you may be, to find a copy of the Book of Mormon and pursue the invitation to read it and pray to know if it is true. If you need help finding a book, reach out to me. I promise that as you read, your soul will be filled with peace and charity for all men. And I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Think about it. I love you
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