My Testimony.
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:29 am
Let me reaffirm my testimony here, on Mormon Discussions, once and for all to read.
I am not an active member of the Church. In fact, I am not even a member, having withdrawn my membership in early 2001.
Regardless of speculation, I affirm that notwithstanding my questions and doubts about the historicity of the Book of Mormon (views which may change), I have never doubted that the Book of Mormon is divinely inspired, and came through revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I reject the so-called "Spalding Theory", and any theories which claim to explain this Book otherwise, because I have found them unsatisfactory.
While I may not be a believer in the conventional sense, I want it to be known to God and men that I have never denied my testimony of the Book of Mormon, at any time. I love and cherish that Book, and I believe it speaks The Word of the Living God, and I agree with the Prophet Joseph when he said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
In this regard, I have not changed my view of the Book of Mormon in 37 years, and should my mortal probation be terminated any time soon, I want it to be known that I believe the Book of Mormon to be a revelation given by God to us today, and that those individuals and nations who heed its teachings will prosper, while those who fight against it will diminish. It speaks truth and peace to me, but also serves as a warning against my own sins and weaknesses, for which I hope for some kind of redemption.
Out of one man, sometimes called the "boy prophet", came this great religion, which now permeates the earth, like the great stone rolling, until it will consume all other kingdoms, principalities and dominions, and will sweep the earth with righteousness, and lay the way for an earth where the lion and lamb shall dwell in peace, and there shall be no more war. All things shall be done in God's time, and all shall receive their just reward, whether it be good or evil.
Let no one say, henceforth, that I have ever denied the truth of the Book of Mormon, and let this, if necessary, be my dying testimony.
God Bless.
I am not an active member of the Church. In fact, I am not even a member, having withdrawn my membership in early 2001.
Regardless of speculation, I affirm that notwithstanding my questions and doubts about the historicity of the Book of Mormon (views which may change), I have never doubted that the Book of Mormon is divinely inspired, and came through revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I reject the so-called "Spalding Theory", and any theories which claim to explain this Book otherwise, because I have found them unsatisfactory.
While I may not be a believer in the conventional sense, I want it to be known to God and men that I have never denied my testimony of the Book of Mormon, at any time. I love and cherish that Book, and I believe it speaks The Word of the Living God, and I agree with the Prophet Joseph when he said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
In this regard, I have not changed my view of the Book of Mormon in 37 years, and should my mortal probation be terminated any time soon, I want it to be known that I believe the Book of Mormon to be a revelation given by God to us today, and that those individuals and nations who heed its teachings will prosper, while those who fight against it will diminish. It speaks truth and peace to me, but also serves as a warning against my own sins and weaknesses, for which I hope for some kind of redemption.
Out of one man, sometimes called the "boy prophet", came this great religion, which now permeates the earth, like the great stone rolling, until it will consume all other kingdoms, principalities and dominions, and will sweep the earth with righteousness, and lay the way for an earth where the lion and lamb shall dwell in peace, and there shall be no more war. All things shall be done in God's time, and all shall receive their just reward, whether it be good or evil.
Let no one say, henceforth, that I have ever denied the truth of the Book of Mormon, and let this, if necessary, be my dying testimony.
God Bless.