Quick thought for the night –
There is so much circling around about missionary changes, this upcoming general conference, etc. but this message goes out to those who do not understand why we have all of this in the first place, those who do not have a strong testimony for themselves, and wonder why they are not obtaining one. Know I was in the same place, just a little bit ago.
Back in High School, I thought there was no need for religion, God, scriptures, Christ, commandments? If you are a good person, that is all the really matters. You can do you and Christ will understand. These were my thoughts. I remember thinking if this Church of Jesus Christ was true, I needed a sign from God to tell me. Now after studying, I wish someone would have told me, “Now I ask, is this faith? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath cause to believe, for he knoweth it” (Alma 32:18). In order for us to find out if this is true, we have to exercise our faith unto action, as described by the prophet Ether, “ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).
My friends, I have worked my tale off to find out if this is true. In the short 6 1/2 months I have been out on my mission, I have read, studied and pondered The Book of Mormon 5 times through. I do not say this for any kind of praise, I tell you this because I can NOW, after countless hours of quiet prayer and scripture study, say I have received my personal witness and can declare that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Jospeh Smith was a prophet of God. Without a shadow of a doubt I know these to be true. A testimony does not just randomly come, you have to actively seek it, then once you have obtained one, you have to maintain, nurture, and constantly grow it.
If you think you can come to the knowledge of the truthfulness of the restored gospel by cracking open The Book of Mormon a couple times and praying every once and a while, I am sorry, but you most likely will not. Due to the sacred nature of Jesus Christ, we need to give everything we can, sacrifice worldly pleasures and desires, consistently read, ponder and pray, THEN, Christ will manifest himself through the Holy Ghost in accordance to his will and timing.
I can testify that the church I represent is the only true church on the earth. I can testify Jesus Christ is the Savior of this world. I testify we have a living prophet today that leads and guides this church. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove. I know The Book of Mormon, as well as the Bible, are the word of God. I know that I am happiest, as I better myself through the atonement of Jesus Christ and follow His teachings. I am so thankful to be a fulltime representative of God’s son.
Elder Ballards Bolivia Mission 