Here we
are, at the end of the Book of Mormon. I did it! ;) YOU did it! It has taken me a long time to write
about this last chapter, probably because I’m hesitant to say goodbye, and also
because I’m worried I can’t do it justice.
These are the
very last words of Moroni, son of Mormon, before he buries the gold plates for
hundreds and hundreds of years until they would finally be available for us to
read. Rather than try to cover all the good stuff in this chapter I’m
just going to point out the most important part.
4 And when ye shall receive these things [these things = the Book of Mormon], I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Look carefully
at what Moroni just promised you. He says there is a way to know for yourself
if the Book of Mormon is true. And it’s not from Megan telling you. And it’s
not from Google telling you. It’s not even from a church pastor or priest
telling you. It’s by the Holy Ghost, or the Spirit of God, that anyone can know the truth about anything, including this Book of Mormon.
People have said that I’m lucky to be so confident in what I believe. But that
doesn’t just happen – it's not luck. It takes desire, time and
work. And Moroni lays out the instructions in the verses we just read. You need
to:
- Ask God – some have to ask many times over a period of time, some get their answer more quickly.
- Ask with a sincere heart – you really want to know
- Ask with real intent – what do you intend to do if God tells you the Book of Mormon IS true? Are you going to do anything about it? If not, God doesn't want to condemn you by confirming precious truths you will ignore.
- Have faith in Christ – are you approaching with faith and desire to believe, or have you already made up your mind that you don’t or won’t believe?
If your
heart is right in all of these ways, I know God will show you that the Book of
Mormon is true, and when the Holy Ghost tells you something it is more powerful
and convincing than learning anything with your eyes or ears. It will change
your life. It has changed my life, and blessed my life, in more ways than I can
possibly relay or even remember.
If you have
come all the way through the Book of Mormon with me, can I give you a big
virtual hug?? Really, though, that is huge and means a lot to me. I’d love to
know about it – please share any thoughts with me you want to!
If you are not a member of my faith, but you have come this far in the Book of Mormon and have felt touched or intrigued in any way or felt there
is something special here, then I invite you to meet with
missionaries from my church to learn a little more. Either I can get you in
contact, or you can get in contact yourself through this website: https://www.mormon.org/missionaries
I love the
Book of Mormon. Thank you for reading it with me. This book has been God’s voice
to me throughout my life, and has given me answers and direction when I’ve
needed it, and has literally helped to heal my heart when it has been broken.
When I read the Book of Mormon, sometimes I find answers from God directly on
its pages, and sometimes it just opens up my heart to receive answers from the
Holy Ghost. And the reason it can do that is because it is true. The words are
from God, and I
believe God still leads this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.
It is the greatest blessing in my life.
So for now
I say goodbye. And so does Moroni (see verses below). Much love to you, friends and family, and
thanks again for reading my favorite book with me!
27 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust? 29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true. 34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.
