The Book of Mormon, Modern Prophets, and I Testify of Jesus Christ

Here are a few excerpts from the Book of Mormon:

2 Ne. 2: 8
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

2 Ne. 31: 19
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

Alma 22: 14
14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king

Alma 24: 10
10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son.

Hel. 14: 13
13 And if ye abelieve on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.

Moro. 6: 4
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

Moro. 10:32
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.

These passages are just a taste of what the Book of Mormon says about our Savior. There really isn't enough space in this post (or even this blog) to list them all you'll just have to read it for yourself. GET YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON HERE

Here are a few words about Jesus Christ from the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Joseph Smith History 1:17-20
It no sooner appeared then I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph's account of his first vision where he saw Jesus Christ and God the Father.)

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him. That He lives! For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father- that by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:12-14, 20-24)

"Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ."

"God...prepared a sacrifice in the gift of His own Son, who should be sent in due time to prepare a way, or open a door through which man might enter into the Lord's presence, whence he had been cast out for disobedience. From time to time these glad tidings were sounded in the ears of men in different ages of the world down to the time of Messiah's coming."

"We cannot believe that the ancients in all ages were so ignorant of the system of heaven as many suppose, since all that were ever saved, were saved through the power of this great plan of redemption, as much before the coming of Christ as since; if not, God has had different plans in operation (if we may so express it), to bring men back to dwell with Himself. And this we cannot believe, since there has been no change in the constitution of man since he fell; and the ordinance of institution of offering blood in sacrifice was only designed to be performed till Christ was offered up and shed His blood-as said before-that man might look forward in faith to that time..." (Joseph speaking of the ancient practice of sacrificing animals spoken of in the bible)

"'As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive;' all she be raised from the dead [1 Corinthians 15:22]. The Lamb of God hath brought to pass the resurrection, so that all shall rise from the dead."

"Christ Himself has assuredly risen from the dead; and if He has risen from the dead, He will, by His power, bring all men to stand before Him: for if He has risen from the dead the bands of temporal death are broken that the grave has no victory. If then, the grave has no victory, those who keep the sayings of Jesus and obey his teachings have not only a promise of resurrection from the dead, but an assurance of being admitted into His glorious kingdom; for, He Himself says, 'Where I am there also shall my servant be' [John 12:26]"

"Who among all the Saints in these last days, can consider himself as good as our Lord? Who is as perfect? Who is as pure? Who is as holy as He was? Are they to be found? He never transgressed or broke a commandment or law of heaven-no deceit was in His mouth, neither was guile found in His heart....Where is one like Christ? He cannot be found on earth."

"When still a boy [Jesus Christ] had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed."

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, be obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

"The Father of our spirits [provided] a sacrifice for His creatures, a plan of redemption, a power of atonement, a scheme of salvation, having as its great objects, the bringing of men back into the presence of the King of heaven, crowning them in the celestial glory, and making them heirs with the Son to that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away."

"How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ."


A few words from our current prophet Thomas S. Monson say about Jesus Christ:


"I declare that God lives and that He hears and answers our prayers. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and our Redeemer. Heaven’s blessings await us."

"How grateful I am, my brothers and sisters, for the Restoration of the gospel in this dispensation and for all the blessings that have come into my life and into your lives as a result. We are a blessed people, for we have the sure knowledge that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ."


"I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Earlier, perhaps perceiving the culmination of His earthly mission, He spoke the lament, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” “No room in the inn” was not a singular expression of rejection—just the first. Yet He invites you and me to receive Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Who was this Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief? Who is the King of glory, this Lord of hosts? He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. He is the Author of our Salvation. He beckons, “Follow me.” He instructs, “Go, and do thou likewise.” He pleads, “Keep my commandments.” Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude. "


I would like to add my testimony of Jesus Christ:

Growing up as a Latter-day Saint, I was taught from my youth about Him and why he is "The Way, the Truth, and the Life." However, it's not until I had the Holy Ghost testify to my heart about Him that I truly knew for myself that He really lives, He really died for our sins, He really will save me. I had this testimony given to me of the Holy Ghost many times as a child, but more forcefully when I read the Book of Mormon the first time.

As I've grown older, my personal sins and shortfalls have reinforced to me in powerful ways how much I've needed Jesus Christ in my life and will continue to need the power of His matchless atonement. Without Him, the entire plan of happiness would be destroyed. It is through Him, and by Him that one day I will be raised from my grave. It is through Him, and by Him that one day I will be able to enter His kingdom.

It is through Him and by Him that I am able to do anything. I love Him. I have gained access to His Grace through Faith, Repentance, Proper Baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and faithfulness to his commandments.

I have gained access to Him through a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And I testify, that if you gain access to His grace and retain a remission of your sins, Jesus will bring you to Heaven. He will help you through every trial. He will lift you up when you are down. He will deliver you from your enemies. He will change you into a new creature.

He will bring you true Joy. To gain access to Him, have faith, repent, be baptized a member of His church, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then walk in the Spirit.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Click here for Missionaries

Follow the Prophet

Since the days of Adam, God has followed a pattern in the way He reveals truth to His children. For truth that pertains to a specific individuals circumstances, He has given the gifts of prayer and the Holy Ghost to testify to our hearts and teach us personal revelation.

But when the truth needed pertains to the greater human family, He has called prophets to authoritatively say "Thus saith the Lord." This is important to understand because God is not the author of confusion. He does not reveal all things to all people at once. He first chooses a righteous man who He has prepared and tested to be His prophet, and reveals the truth to him.

Then others are called to be witnesses of these truths, and then the truth is preached to the ends of the earth.

When a Latter-Day Saint uses the term "the prophet" they are not merely referring to a person who can prophesy. But rather someone who holds the keys of administration of the work of the Lord on earth. This man is not only a prophet who can prophesy of a future event, but he is also a man who is given authority by the Lord to interpret the scriptures and the past.

In addition, He can receive new revelation for the needs of today. That is why the Prophets and Apostles in the Church today are sustained as "Prophets, Seers, and Revelators." Yes they are given the gift of prophecy, but they are also given the gift of a Seer who can translate ancient scripture if needed, and more often, interpret ancient scripture to bring out it's original meaning.

They are given a steady flow of revelation from the Lord to guide the work of the church and kingdom of God on the Earth.

When a new revelation is given, it comes from the President of the Church who is the only man who holds all the keys and is authorized by the Lord to receive such a revelation. But after a new revelation comes, it is presented to the rest of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles so they can pray and receive confirmation from the Holy Ghost that it is indeed from our Heavenly Father.

Then the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve acting together present the revelation to the church for a sustaining vote.

Only then can the Revelation be ratified and considered doctrine of the church. This is important to understand as it can be shown that even though a man may be called of God as a prophet, Lord still allows that prophet to have his own ideas. There have been statements of different apostles and prophets about different subjects that are their own opinion and not considered church doctrine.

We have been promised by the Lord that if we follow the Prophet we will not be led astray.

This pattern is not new. It has been around since the days of Adam. In the Old Testament the prophet Amos said:

Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, ^abut he ^brevealeth his ^csecret unto his servants the ^dprophets.

We should prepare our selves to be close to the promptings of the Holy Ghost so that when we are asked to sustain the prophet by following His teachings, we can feel the confirmation of the Spirit of His words and follow Him to safety.

One of the great blessings of the principle of revelation is that the Lord does not expect us to just follow blindly, but to ask Him for our selves for a confirmation from the Holy Ghost of the truthfulness of the Prophets words.

That being true, I have found that this confirmation can come almost immediately, even while the prophet is speaking. I have also found that the Lord makes it quite clear that this is His church and that the Prophets and Apostles are led by Him.

Having Prophets and Apostles gives a great deal of comfort. Because of these great men we don't have to worry about many of the questions we would have if there was no one in direct communication with God as was Moses.

We are blessed with both the ability to speak with God ourselves through prayer, and with experienced revelators who in many instances God has revealed himself just like he did the ancient Apostles and Prophets of the Bible and Book of Mormon.

The first man to hold these keys in our day was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was blessed to open this last dispensation to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

His successors in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

The living prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. I've included a picture of him and his councilors in this post. I've also included a small video of some of his teachings.

I know that he is a Prophet of the Living God. Every time I have heeded the council of the Prophets my life has been enriched and blessed.

I testify of the comfort and blessing it is to have the wise council of these brethren. I also testify that they will be a blessing to you if you will heed their warnings and instructions.

They are men of God, full of Love, full of power from on High.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Click here for Missionaries

Obey and Honor the Law

In a publication of the church called "Preach My Gospel" it says:

"Latter-day Saints everywhere believe in obeying the laws of the country in which they live. Members of the Church are counseled to be good citizens, to participate in civil government and the political process, and to render community service. They do so, however, as concerned citizens, not as representatives of the Church."

During the time of Jesus, there was a great strain between the Jews and the Roman government that held power over them. Those who were against Jesus thought up a way to catch him in a snare. They decided to ask Jesus about paying tribute to Caesar in order to put Him in an awkward situation. If He said that one should pay tribute to Caesar, he would alienate himself from the people. If He said that the people shouldn't, then his enemies would could deliver him up to the Romans for treason.

Here is the story as it reads in Matthew Chapter 22:

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, ^aneither carest thou for any man: for thou^bregardest not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it ^alawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why ^atempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, ^aRender therefore unto ^bCaesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Jesus taught that it was important to stay true to all of your obligations, even your obligations to the government. In addition to this, the Apostle Paul later taught:

Romans 13:1-7

1 Let every soul ^abe subject unto the higher ^bpowers. For there is no ^cpower ^dbut of God: the ^epowers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that ^aresist shall receive to themselves ^bdamnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the ^apower? do that which is ^bgood, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is ^athe minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for ^aconscience sake.

6 ^aFor for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; ^ahonour to whom honour.

Paul was teaching that Gods Law's are higher than man's. If you are striving to keep Gods laws, you will most likely already be keeping the laws of the government by default.

The prophet Joseph Smith included sustaining the law in the articles of faith of the church:

Articles of Faith 1:12

12 We believe in being ^asubject to ^bkings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in ^cobeying, honoring, and sustaining the ^dlaw.

Joseph Smith also included a whole section of the Doctrine and Covenants which spells out the importance of upholding and honoring the law. That section is section 134. You can read it here if you would like: Doctrine and Covenants Section 134

In a revalation given to the prophet Joseph the Lord said:

D&C 58:21

21 Let no man break the ^alaws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.

Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as a messenger of rightousness it's no surprise that the teachings of Joseph would agree with the teachings of our Savior and his early apostles.

If a man-made law is corrupt, it is our duty to work within the political and legal process to try to change that law. We should be active in our communities and work to protect true and virtuous principles within the structure of our governments.

I testify that the Lord will bless you as you live His laws, and sustain the laws of the government in which you live.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Click here for Missionaries