The Book of Mormon Brings Me Peace

The Book of Mormon has changed my life. Since I was little my family has read The Book of Mormon as a family most nights before going to bed. I always wanted to read the whole book by myself. I did not until ninth grade when we studied it in my religion’s seminary class. As I read and studied it I began to understand principles of my religion better and come to know for myself that what was in The Book of Mormon was true. Since then I have read The Book of Mormon 2-3 more times and my love for it grows every time I read it. It never truly hit me how important it was until junior year of high school when I was put into a mental health hospital because of severe depression and anxiety. I was diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). The first few days in the hospital were really rough, I was in a strange place, with strange people I had never met before, being given different medicines that were messing with my body, and I really did not want to be there. It did not start getting better until my mom brought in a Book of Mormon for me to read. I began reading it every moment of free time I had. I would read it before and after meals, between exercise times, and after phone calls and visiting hour. As I read I was finally awarded some peace. Each time I would pick up and open the Book of Mormon I was granted a measure of peace. It did not take away the pain I was suffering, make my body stop doing weird things, or cure me of my illness. Anxiety and depression are not totally curable after all. But reading and studying The Book of Mormon gave me enough peace and hope to keep fighting against those forces that were striving to bring me down. It gave me a clarity of mind to see my situation as it should be looked at, as a challenge yes, but also as a way to grow and become stronger. It opened my eyes to the truths that bring great comfort to those who seek it and allowed me to become closer to my Savior Jesus Christ.

            The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, it says so right on the cover. I can testify that The Book of Mormon truly does bring one closer to Christ. During my stay at the hospital I grew in ways I never believed were possible and most of the ways I grew were spiritual. By growing spiritually, I was also able to grow mentally and strengthen my mind and body against my trials called anxiety and depression. By reading The Book of Mormon every day I was able to draw upon the strength of my Savior, partake of His peace, and find the hope I needed to keep pushing on to one more day. I continue to read The Book of Mormon every day and rely on its power to give me peace.

Love,
Kenzie

The First Vision

When thinking of the first vision we always recognize it as of importance to the church as a whole, but what about as individually? When Joseph Smith was 14 he had many questions about which church was true these questions led to intense pondering and study. One day when reading in James 1:5 he read; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He then set aside a time and a place to pray vocally to God. As he began to pray he was overcome with a darkness and was unable to speak, he exerted all his powers to call upon God to deliver him from darkness. As he was about to give up a pillar of light shone from above and two personages cam down. One calling him by name and pointed to the other saying; "This is my Beloved Son Hear Him!" Jesus Christ then proceeded to tell Joseph Smith that none of the church's were true.

While most of us will not see God the Father and His Son in person until we pass on to the next life, we do not have to in order to know they are real. I can not recall an exact moment I came to know for myself that they are real and love me, but I do know that not only do they love me, but they personally know me. Just as Heavenly Father called Joseph Smith by name, He also calls me by name as I receive answers to my prayers. But we can't just pray and expect to receive everything at once, we must show effort on our part just as Joseph Smith did by pondering and studying the scriptures as well as taking tie out of his day to show the Lord he cared about speaking to Him. Without Joseph's example of exercising faith in God that He would answer his prayer, I do not think I would know for myself that this Gospel is true, but I do know it is true! I am so thankful for Joseph Smith and his questions that led to The First Vision and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first vision is important to me because it allowed me the freedom to ask my questions, receive answers and know that God knows who I am and is always listening and also always provides a way out of temptation and darkness.

I know this gospel is true, I know Joseph Smith saw the God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that God always provides a safe way out of temptation and that He knows each of us by name and that He is always listening to our prayers and answers us in His timetable. I love this gospel and am so grateful for the first vision and my testimony of it.

Love,
Kenzie

Adversity

How Great Thou Art:
"And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

As I listened to this song tonight I was struck with gratefulness for all God does for me; specifically for sending his Son to suffer and die for us so that we can repent and are not left alone in our trials. This past Sunday our Laurel's lesson was on Adversity and a beautiful video was shared;

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-will-of-god-2

My heart was full. What amazing words; "I am the gardener here." What an impact this had on me that day. I know that God knows what He is doing, I know that as we trust in Him and have faith in the Savior, even when we are cut down we will be blessed with Their divine and infinite love. How grateful I am that God loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, that He loves us enough to give us the Holy Ghost to comfort us in trying times, and that He loves us enough to never leave us alone. I can testify that when we rely on Jesus Christ we will grow and bloom after we are cut down. It may be a long process, but if we endure to the end we will become beautiful flowers in Heavenly Father's garden. Thank you Annie for sharing this video and for your wonderful lesson!

Love,
Kenzie