Knowledge

Today I listened to a Conference talk about the Book of Mormon. I heard Elder Holland say (he may have been quoting somebody else) that any man who would be decietful enough to make up the story of the Book of Mormon would not have written the amazing and simple truths that are found in it.

I know that arguements can go back and forth constantly about the Book of Mormon and its truthfullness and as I have mentioned before that there is a feeling in my heart that tells me it is true. Well, that still applies, but I want to say right here that I KNOW with my heart and my mind that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I KNOW that it testafies of Jesus Christ. I KNOW that many simple eternal truths are found in the Book of Mormon. I KNOW that Joseph Smith translated (not wrote) the Book of Mormon. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon has defined me as a person more than any other book on earth. I KNOW that I gained a testimony of these things through my own knowledge and not based off of my parents testimony. I KNOW that God loves us and that is why He restored the gospel to the earth and gave us prophets on earth tody.

I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon! I know I am a better person for reading and studying the Book of Mormon.

Grace

Today I was reading in 1 Corinthians and I read something that touched on the principle that I had discussed with my coworkers. In Chapter 15 verses 9-10 Paul says, "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

I think this brings up two important things. God's grace is enough to help anybody. It can turn somebody who persecutes the church to an apostle. God's grace is powerful and nobody (minus those who knowingly deny God) is beyond help.

It can't stop there, though. We have to be willing to god beyond being and saved and make sure that it is "not in vain" and we have to "labour abundantly." It isn't just a matter of mental being "saved" but letting your sould be changed and then labor abundantley in good works.