I have been pondering on what I should write for my 500th post! And it came to me about a week ago as I was scrubbing my kitchen floor, I heard a talk that touched my soul, a talk that moved me to tears and continues to move me each time that I listen to it. Aaron was playing it in the other room and it was at that moment I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to post for my 500th POST!
I want to echo Jeffery R. Holland's talk,
"Safety for the Soul"
from the 179th LDS General Conference.
"I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days."
This touched my soul, EVERYTHING he testified is true. He put it all so poetically and perfect.
"Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared in crossing an ocean, settling in a new world.
I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon.
I did not proselyte with Alma and Amulek nor witness the fiery death of innocent believers.
I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of an entire civilization.
But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. Like them, “[I] give [my name] unto the world, to witness unto the world that which [I] have seen.” And like them, “[I] lie not, God bearing witness of it."
I too, want to stand before the judgement bar of God and know that I declared to the world that,
I know the Book of Mormon IS the word of God.
I know that Joseph Smith translated every word with the help from our Heavenly Father and that it is PERFECT.
I know that when I read the Book of Mormon, it inspires me, guides me and brings a peace to my heart that I do not feel when I neglect reading it. I am so blessed to have this precious book in my life that I have turned to and received many answers and confirmations from.
I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about me and knows that I struggle and is mindful of me. I am so blessed and so grateful to have the gospel in my life and to have the answer to life's questions that so many people in the world are still asking and wondering about.
I know God lives.
I know Jesus died for us that we might live again,
and that he has a body of flesh and blood just like we do.
I know that Jesus atoned for our sins and that we can repent and be forgiven.
I know that when we truly repent, he does completely forgive and forget, so we are clean again.
I know that God the Eternal Father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct beings, being one in purpose.
I have always, and will ALWAYS have a testimony of the truthfulness of these things.