Today Anziano Larsen and I went to Rimini to play soccer and
beach volleyball (all indoors, of course haha) with the other missionaries in
our area. It was pretty fun! My team was the winner of the volleyball
tournament, naturally. I mean, with a benchwarmer like me you're bound to make
it the top, right? But seriously, it was a lot of fun, especially since it's
winter and usually you don't get to play sports like that at this time of year!
Earlier this week I tried an experiment for one of the meals I cooked for
lunch: stuffed bell peppers. Basically it's an Italian dish that I've heard
about before and heard was good, but I'd never had one or even seen one before.
So I decided to make up my own recipe! It turned out really good in the end and
I was slightly surprised that they weren't terrible seeing as it was my first
attempt haha. We ended up with a ton of leftovers though since I underestimated
how filling they would be... oh well, more for later! I forgot to take a
picture, so you'll just have to use your imagination until I make them again!
At the beginning of the year I set a goal to read the
Italian Book of Mormon cover to cover before the year was over. At the
beginning my progress was very slow, but as I kept reading and learning Italian
my progress picked up rapidly. So now as the year is coming to a close I have
officially finished reading! It was quite the task, but it was definitely worth
it in the end! I've grown and learned so much in the process, both with regards
to Italian and the Book of Mormon itself. The amazing thing though is that the
Book of Mormon is just as powerful in Italian as it is in English! The voices
of ancient inspired prophets still resonate in your heart as you read their teachings
and testimonies, almost as if you were right there with them.
The Book of Mormon is a record of the ancient inhabitants of
the Americas and was written by prophets for the purpose of "convincing [all
men] that Jesus is the Christ". It was translated by the gift and power of
God through his chosen prophet, Joseph Smith. In his own words, Joseph Smith
says, "the Book of Mormon [is] 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." The Book of Mormon above all else
is second witness of Christ, alongside the Bible. It's unique in part because
it was written by a group of people that lived isolated from the influences of
Eastern religious culture, yet it teaches the same truths and testifies very clearly
and directly of the same Savior, Jesus Christ, that has been talked about since
the beginning of time. The Book of Mormon also serves as the evidence of the
reality of Joseph Smith's prophetic calling, because if he were not inspired by
God then it would not have been possible for him, a man as young and uneducated
as he was, to translate or write such a book. That's why he called it "the
keystone of our religion" because if the Book of Mormon is truly inspired
scripture from God, then the person through whom He brought it to light was
truly an inspired man. That's why Moroni, the last prophet to write in the Book
of Mormon, exhorts us to read it, meditate upon it's teachings, and then to ask
God in prayer whether or not it is true. He promises that each who does so with
sincerity and faith will receive a witness of its truth from God by the power
of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:4-5). I've tried Moroni's promise for myself and I
have felt the truth of the Book of Mormon confirmed in my heart by feelings
that can only come from the Holy Ghost. Feelings of joy, love, and desire to
live the precepts taught within the scriptures. Every time I read the Book of
Mormon I feel those feelings rush back into my heart and they convince me that
the Book of Mormon is true, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that Joseph Smith
was a prophet of God, and that the church he established is the church of Jesus
Christ.
I am not alone in bearing witness of these things, there are
already millions of others who have personally found these things to be true by
the same power. I want to invite everyone to take the chance to read the Book
of Mormon and ask God if it's true! As Joseph Smith said, "a man [will]
get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
There is joy in living the teachings of the Book of Mormon, as with all
inspired scripture, and truly it's an amazing gift that our Heavenly Father
would provide us this convincing evidence of the truth and of his love for us.
So read it! Pray about it! And ask God if it's true! He will answer every
sincere and faith-filled prayer that you ask him! That's no small thing; the
God of the universe is anxiously waiting for each of us to ask Him to answer
our prayers. If you don't have a copy of the Book of Mormon you can order one
for free from Mormon.org or you can download the app for free on the App Store.
I hope you all have a great week and that winter break
treats you all well! Happy reading!
-Anziano Jake Wilkinson
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