How do we know?!

I was thinking today about how it is that we can say that we know something to be true.  How do I know that the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ are true?  How do I know that I have a Heavenly Father? How do I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins? How do I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a Prophet? How do I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God?

I came across this scripture in The Book of Mormon that I think helps answer these questions. Alma 5:46

"Behold, I say unto you they are made ^aknown unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have ^bfasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of ^crevelation which is in me."

That scripture truly does tell us how we can know, and it tells us that we need to put a little effort into it.  As we read the scriptures I think its important to remember that scriptures are the testimonies of Prophets (Men called of God to lead his children on earth).  This scripture is the testimony of Alma, a Prophet in The Book of Mormon.  He is sharing with people how he came to know the truth, he tells the people that he has put forth his own effort and fasted and prayed and he says that he knows the truth of these things because the Holy Spirit of God has made it known unto him.  I love it!! Who better to ask for advice than a prophet of God!

We need to fast and to pray!

When we fast we give up food for a period of time and show God that we are willing to sacrifice our temporal needs for a time to get that answer.  In fasting we show God that we are willing to put aside something we want and need (food) in order to receive our answer.

Along with fasting Alma says we need need to Pray!  Prayer is key in seeking answers, unless we ask an answer wont come.  But there is a catch to praying.  Listen to this scripture, the testimony of the prophet Moroni about how to get an answer...

 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 ^amerciful 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 ^bponder it in your ^chearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the ^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

 I love that!! So lets recap, if we:

- "receive these things", hear the word of God
- "ponder it in your hearts", really think about in in our mind as well as our heart
- "Ask God", pray about it!
- "with a sincere heart", really sincerely seeking an answer
- "real intent", be will to act on the answer
- "faith in Christ", having faith we will get an answer

Then we will get an answer, its that simple!!

As a missionary we teach people everyday and everyday we ask people to pray.  I myself have prayed and I know the message we share is true but only as you pray will you be able to know the truth as well! 

I challenge you all to read and pray about The Book of Mormon!  If you do I know that God will answer your prayers and tell you that it is indeed his words!

The Atonement Covers Sins as well as AFFLICTIONS

A mission is an amazing thing! As missionaries we have 2 hours set aside to study from the scriptures daily and that has helped my testimony of the Savior grow more than I ever expected.  As missionaries we get to testify of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice and every time that I have the chance to testify my testimony grows.  The other day I was reading in The Book of Mormon and I came across this scripture. 

"But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your AFFLICTIONS, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction." Jacob 1:3

I LOVE this scripture.  We often think about how Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sins but I think that we forget that he also suffered our AFFLICTIONS as well.  Afflictions are trials, pains and suffering that we feel and expereince in our lives. Jesus Christ suffered for ALL of the sorrows and the pains that we feel.  He knows our loneliness our desperation our sorrow our pain and we can find comfort in turning to him and knowing that he has felt how we are feeling. He is the only one who truly understands how we feel and he is the only one who can bring true and lasting comfort to our lives.  

I myself have had moments where I've felt sorrow and loneliness and desperation and as I have prayed for comfort I have felt the love of our Father in Heaven and of his Son Jesus Christ.  I know that God loves me and knows me personally and have felt him comfort me when I need it.  I have felt the love of my Saviour and know that he knows the pains and the afflictions that I go through.  He has comforted me and He will comfort you if you turn to him for support.  So keep on keepin' on my friends and have faith.  Turn to your Heavenly Father in prayer and seek that comfort.  Use that gift of the Atonement that our elder brother Jesus Christ so freely offers us.  Pray, have faith and lose yourself in the service of others!  I'll end on that thought and with one more amazing scripture!

 "11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and AFFLICTIONS and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." - Alma 7:11-13

The Book of Mormon

One of the biggest things that set a part The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fact that we study from modern-day scripture that has been brought to us from our loving Heavenly Father.  The Book of Mormon is an ancient book of scripture that is comparable to the bible and testifies of Jesus Christ just as the Bible does.  The book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and was translated by Jospeh Smith, a man called of God to be a Prophet in these latter-days.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly messenger to a hill where gold plates had been hidden for centuries.  These gold plates contained writing of prophets of God's dealing with the people in the ancient Americas.  Joseph Smith was able to translate the writings on these plates by the power of God.

The Book of Mormon like the Bible is a record of prophets writing about the mission of the Savior and his gospel.  The stories are about different people but still testify of the Savior.  This record is for all the world to read and not just those that belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We as missionaries are going about two by two bringing this book to the world and inviting everyone to come unto Christ.  I want to challenge you all to read this book and pray about.  I know that this book is true and that it is indeed the words of God and I know this because I have asked God if it is true and he has answered me.  I know that if you ask God with a sincere heart with real intent to know if this book is true that he will also answer your prayer.  I daily study from the words of this book and it has blessed my life and I know that it will bless yours.  Read and ponder it.

If you don't have a copy of The Book of Mormon you can have one for free!! click on this link http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon/

"If any of yea lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbradeith not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read then, that ye should read them, that ye wold 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 heart. 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.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:3-5

Conference was Amazing!!

Did everyone get a chance to watch Conference? I hope so, it was so inspiring.  As I watched the sessions this weekend I truly felt that my Heavenly Father loves me and I knew that the things that the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and his apostles taught were true.  If you didn't get a chance to watch it I would stronly recomend checking it out on line.   Go to http://www.lds.org/ and click on Last General Conference and you will be able to select different talks to listen to.  http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng

Here are 2 highlights...

Elder Eyring talked about The Book of Mormon, he said that The Book of Mormon will lift, guide and inspire you.  The people in these books will inspire you to be better and it will become part of your character. As he spoke of The Book of Mormon I felt the spirit testify to me that the things he was saying were true.  This book is amazing and can change your life if you will read it, ponder on it and allow the teaching to take root in your life.  If you haven't read this book then read it, and if you have then share it with someone today!

My favourite talk from the weekend was from our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson (the last one in the sunday morning session). He was funny and spiritual!  He quoted the scriptures saying "draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you."(D&C 88:63)  I love this promise, if we draw near unto our Heavenly Father he will draw near unto us, I love reading promises like that in the scriptures!  President Monson goes onto say "Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father through prayer and he will bless you." He shared a personal story about prayer, it was funny yet spiritual, a perfect combination!  look it up and watch the video, his facial expression are the best! http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng