I've been thinking about just how amazing the gospel really is. It brings so much knowledge and so many wonderful blessings into my life. It makes my heart ache a little bit whenever the people I talk to on the street have no interest or are too busy to learn. Sometimes I want to just grab them and tell them why the gospel means so much to them. When they say they are too poor or too old or too busy I want to just yell "But what if the gospel is true?!"
If its true then it doesn't matter if you're poor or old. Whatever you are busy with doesn't hold a candle to the importance of the gospel.
-If its true, you have a loving Heavenly Father watching over you. You are a child of the Almighty Creator.
-If its true, you have a savior who suffered and died for you. You can be cleansed from all of your past transgressions and regrets and pains. You don't have to worry about eternal death or being reincarnated as a fly. If its true, you can have eternal happiness in heaven.
-If its true, we are all brothers and sisters. There is no need to hate each other. God loves us all and has a plan for us. He wants us all to be happy.
-If its true, God has shown his love for us by calling a prophet to be his messenger. We all have the great opportunity of following the words of Christ's living apostles and prophet. You can follow their council and be protected from the evils of the world.
-If its true, you don't have to be separated from your family after you die. The familial bonds that you have built don't have to end with death. You can live in your family unit forever in heaven.
If its true, all these blessings and more are waiting for you.
I know its true, but the amazing part is that you don't have to take my word for it. God has given us a way to know if its all true; if He is really there and loves us, if Christ really is our savior, if he really has called apostles, if our families really can be together forever.
The way to know is this: Read the Book of Mormon. This book is claimed to be a book of scripture revealed by God to a prophet in the 19th century. What an absurd claim! But what if its true?!
From the Introduction to the Book of Mormon we read:
"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.
"Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah."
Either its true, or its not.
I personally know that the Book of Mormon is true because I followed that invitation. I read, pondered, and prayed and received an answer. Because I know the Book of Mormon is true, I know that serving this mission is what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I didn't choose to serve because of what I don't know, I chose to serve because of what I definitely know is true.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords organized church to facilitate His work on Earth. This has brought so much peace and direction into my life.
I know that any person who reads the Book of Mormon can receive an answer as well. Whether in Cambodia or California, Hong Kong or Huntington. This will then change his or her life for the better if they then act according to what they have learned.
So what if its true? What if the Book of Mormon is true? If its true wouldn't you want to know? If you had a Heavenly Father wouldn't you want to know? If you had a Savior, if there were living apostles, if your family can be forever wouldn't you want to know?
If it could be true wouldn't it be worth it to spend a few minutes a day reading the Book of Mormon, pondering, and praying to know if its true?
I personally challenge anyone reading this to find out if it is true. Out of my love and conviction for the gospel I ask that each of you find out or re-find out if its true. Its as easy as read, ponder, pray. I know that you will get an answer and the results will bring clarity into your life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.