Another Testament of Jesus Christ

This is a post I've been thinking about writing for a while now, I'd appreciate it if you took the time to read it, though if you don't I understand.

As the title suggests, this post will deal chiefly with The Book of Mormon, my testimony of it, and particularly my testimony that it is in fact another testament of Jesus Christ. For those that are unaware of the history of The Book of Mormon I will give it here briefly. The Book of Mormon is a history of a number of civilizations that lived on the American continent covering from approximately 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. This record was written by prophets that were called of God to write this history, similar to the prophets of the Old and New Testament. Their record was preserved by the hand of God and brought forth through the modern day prophet Joseph Smith. The crowning event of The Book of Mormon consists of Christ's visit to the American continent as our resurrected Lord and Savior.

The purpose of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is concisely stated in both the title and introduction of The Book of Mormon, as well as throughout the book itself; namely for the purpose of "convincing the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God" (italics added). Thus The Book of Mormon is in every way Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It not only contains within it a record of Christ coming to the Americas as the ressurected Lord; and thus contains the testimonies of thousands who witnessed and bore record that Christ lives, that he threw off the bonds of death, and became the living Christ, but it bears testimony in every chapter, on every page, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all the world, and through Him are all people able to be saved. The Book of Mormon thus consistently bears testimony of this powerful truth. That is its purpose. Its purpose is to add another testament to the world that Christ is indeed the Savior of the world, and that He lives!

Many would argue that The Book of Mormon serves to discredit the Bible and diminish its importance. However, rather than serving to diminish the Bible it serves to srenghten it by further bearing testimony of Christ, his divine work and heritage, and his ressurection. It again bears testimony that Jesus is the Christ. It testifies that Christ truly cares for and manifests himself to all nations, and provides clear evidence for Christ's statement in John 10:16 where He states "other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice". Thus, it testifies that Christ desires for all people to know of Him and of the hope He brings for all mankind. It further testifies of the vital importance of His mission and of the fact that He lives by providing us with further knowledge on His atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, through the very fact that we have this book it testifies of modern day revelation and that God truly still speaks to man, and that they desire for us, for you, for me, to know of their eternal plan for us. It is thus an expression for God's love for us as it serves to give the world further proof that Christ is the living Savior of the world!

I bear testimony that I know that The Book of Mormon is in every way the word of God. That it was in truth brought forth through the power of God and through his prophet Joseph Smith. I testify that it is more than stories and fables, it is a true history, and the events that are recorded in The Book of Mormon are in every way real. I testify that it truly bears record of the power and divinity of Jesus as the Christ, the literal Son of God. I bear testimony that it was brought forth upon this earth for the purpose of bringing happiness to all mankind. I know and have felt of its power in my life, and I know that it contains within it the words of God which are meant to bring happiness to our lives. I further bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that through Him we can all be saved, and that through Him we can return to a Father in Heaven that loves us. He loves us truly as a parent loves us, for such he is, and his love for us is more powerful and pure than we can possibly comprehend. I have felt that love for me and for everyone burn within my soul throughout my life. I know it to be real and true. I further testify that the Atonement of Christ is a reality. It is not an imagined story or a false hope. It is real. His atoning sacrifice, freely given, provides us with the way to return to our Heavenly Home. Jesus is the Christ, and The Book of Mormon is his word. Of these things I solemnly bear testimony in the name of our Savior, Lord, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.