Jonathan J. Johnson by staff
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on April 19, 2008 |
Why I believe the Book of Mormon to be true.
It is hard to believe in a book, when we are accustomed to reading fiction, novels, opinions in news papers, or magazines and Biographies of unfamiliar people. We look at the binding of a book, whose pages do nothing but help us pass the time. We look to books more often to help us obtain our selfish desires. They either help us live in a fantasy, or they amplify worldly ambitions, or the desire to increase our own empires.My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been a process. Although I received answers to prayers while seeking and even had events that were profound, mine is a testimony of application. I have seen personally the change in myself. This is the literal testimony of its teachings. For some time the Book of Mormon, for me, was the blue book that the missionaries distributed to those whom they contacted. Although I felt that their efforts were just, I struggled to know just why that blue book was so important. I wondered why so many would give all, including their lives to protect and declare its teachings.
The scriptures below outline in part, why I believe the Book of Mormon is true. It is not the “Book that is True”; it is the collage of true stories that hold personal application. It is individuals or analogies, that I can personalize and like its participants, grow little by little. The Book is substantiated through proven applications. The proof comes when you liken and then apply what it teaches. You will never find fault in this book, if you try to disprove it through the application of its teachings.
Third Nephi 26: 9-10
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith,(it is not enough just to receive it- we must try it out!) and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater• things be made manifest unto them.

10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater• things be withheld• from them, unto their condemnation.The book of Mormon is not about reading, it is all about trying and applying. As The Savior teaches they should “first try their faith”. If they try their faith and believe these things, then shall the Lord make greater things manifest. If you want to know it is true read and then apply, read and then apply.
Ether 3:10-13
10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, show• thyself unto me.

11 And the Lord said unto him: Believest• thou the words which I shall speak?

12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst• not lie.

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed• himself unto him, and said: Because• thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.Second Nephi 33:10
10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe• in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words• of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach• all men that they should do good.Moroni 10:32-33
32 Yea, come• unto Christ, and be perfected• in him, and deny• yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love• God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect• in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins•, that ye become holy, without spot.I know the Book of Mormon is true, because I know that I can live better and have lived better when applying its teachings. Change is the visible, tangible testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Jonathan Johnson
