My Testimony (Pt 2)

You may often hear members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints say something of the effect, "I know this Church is true..." or maybe even, "I know this work is true." But what, pray tell, does that really mean? How do the members know it's true, what prompts them to make such a bold claim?

First let me ask anyone who doubts, or scoffs at members' claims of their conviction, this one simple question; and that is, how do you know it's not true? Would the devil (the enemy of ALL mankind, believers and un-believers alike) teach a group of people to pray unto God our Eternal Father in Heaven for the answer to whether or not this Church is true? No, of course not. Even if you are a member of a mainstream Christian church, you know (as do I) that the devil teaches no man or woman to do such a thing. In fact, he (still talking about Satan here) tells men and women to do the opposite! If a church tells you to read the Bible, the devil will whisper into your ear an excuse why you can't read the Bible or that you shouldn't. If a church (any church, ok, even the LDS church) tells you to pray unto God for strength and courage to do... well, anything; the devil will tell you that you can do it on your own, that you and you alone have the power to do anything.
"Besides, do you really think God will help you?" I've heard said, "Come on, you're the man! You did it before on your own (strength), you can do it again!" Have you heard anything like this before? Sound familiar? I'm sure you have. The phrase I heard alot whispered in my ear and even told to me by other people is, "Look, why pray to God at all? Have you seen what kind of mess your life is in!? God certainly hasn't helped you before, why is He is going to help you now? You're beyond help, and forget the Bible reading! Jeez, it just reminds you of what kind of screw up you are! Do you really need anymore proof!?"
As shocking as this may sound, yes, I've had people tell me these things over the course of my life. Now, with all that said, because I'm sure you get the picture. Let me ask you again, if this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not true, then why would the devil teach it's members through a man like Joseph Smith Jr. to read a book (the Book of Mormon) that is just overflowing with references to our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Why would he tell the members to listen to a man that is ordained and set apart by God to be a Prophet? Why would he (still referring to the devil here) tell the members that by obeying God's commandments you'll be blessed!? Why would he tell it's members to get married and once married stay faithful to your spouse and only your spouse? Would he tell the members to raise a good, wholesome family to teach their children to respect all just laws? You know as well as I do that all these things we teach our members to do is completely against what the devil stands for! He (Satan) is against traditional families (a man and woman), he delights in lawlessness in any form! He has no interest in our long term happiness, and he certainly does not want anyone of us to obey our Heavenly Father! The devil is the father of all lies according to the Bible AND the Book of Mormon; even Jesus Himself said that the truth was never in Satan from the start. The Book of Mormon says that the devil seeks to make all men miserable like unto himself, remember the old saying "Misery loves company"?
So all that being said, again, I ask you my friend... how do we, the Latter-Day Saints, know this Church is true? How do we know that the Book of Mormon is another testament (or witness) that Jesus IS the Christ, the Savior of the world? How do we know that the current President of the Church (Thomas S. Monson) is a Prophet called of God? Simple.... by doing the one thing that the devil tell us not to do; we offer sincere, heartfelt prayer to our Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ. And by the Spirit of the Lord, the truth is revealed unto us if we ask in complete faith that He will answer our prayer. The authorities of the Church have repeatedly said in their own unique way to pray about anything they say to God our Father so that we can know if what they say is true, He (God) will reveal it unto us individually.
I bear unto you all this solid, unshakeable testimony before God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the countless hosts of angels in Heaven; let it be written in the Heavenly courts above from this moment forth that I know without a doubt that the Bible is the inspired word of God our Father. I know that the Book of Mormon is also the inspired word of God and that was translated in this modern day by a young man called to be a Prophet. I know that this church is governed, controlled, and presided over by sincere, caring, God fearing men with a eye focused completely on doing the will of the Lord. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the only Begotten Son of the Living God and that He lives and reigns supreme at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. I know that the temples we have built (and still are building) are sacred, holy, structures were our Father communes once again with His beloved children here on earth. And most importantly, I know that God hears the sincere, faith filled prayers of His children and answers them.
I declare this boldly and without apology in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!