Your Book of Mormon Story

[skalenfehl]

I'd like to start a thread and invite everyone to share their story on how they came to know the Book of Mormon is true. Perhaps it was a special passage that touched you, a story you read that seemed to be written just for you, a long awaited answer to your heartfelt prayer, a shared testimony, etc. All our experiences are unique and I believe will serve to benefit all who visit this thread and be edified. Hopefully as you read through and post your own conversion story you can feel the Spirit touch you.

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My story is on the simple side. I remember the day I was converted, or I should say, the Spirit touched me and witnessed to me that it was truly the word of God. I was raised in the church and had always believed it to be true because of my mother's testimony. I attended church regularly, went to seminary and youth activities, etc. It wasn't, however, until I went to a community college that I met up with a high school buddy and we hung out on occasion. The events at the time are a bit hazy, because this was about twenty years ago, but on occasion he would drop me off where I worked just up the street from where we attended college. I only lived a few miles from college and there were days that I walked from there to work and found a ride home afterward.

I remember one day while he drove me to work we talked about faith and religion and I began to share with him my basic understanding of our premortal existence and the plan of salvation. He listened intently and replied that it made sense. I felt moved to express my belief in the Book of Mormon and at that moment I felt as if the entire interior of his car filled with that sweet, powerful feeling that only those who have felt it can understand. It was such an overwhelming feeling of warmth and love and peace and calm. At that moment I reached out to his arm, hoping that he would feel what I felt as I testified to him that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It was such a moving experience for me and it has stayed with me throughout my life. I gave him a copy soon after before I went on my mission. Some time later I realized that this experience was more for me than it was for him. It was in the sharing of my belief that became the bearing of my testimony and the story of my conversion.

[Elgama]

OK mine is embarassing it took me 14 years after my baptism to gain a love and testimony of the Book of Mormon - I knew it was true because I knew that Joseph Smith and Gordon B Hinckley were prophets but the Book itself was something I just didn't have a strong testimoney of, . Then one day I decided to ask the missionaries if they could regive me the discussion lessons (well actually I never received them before my baptism long story lol but I asked the missionaries if they would baptise me) one of the missionaries gave me a wonderful idea I had very recently gained a strong affection for and testimony of Alma it struck a cord with the problems I was having at the time - so I set about gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon line upon line, chapter upon chapter, book upon book - I can now honestly say I know every word in the Book of Mormon is from God.

-Charley

[Hemidakota]

I was converted with the Doctrine & Covenants after I told my friend, the BOM was a boring history book. Man! Now that was the dumbest statement I ever made.

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

I was converted with the Doctrine & Covenants after I told my friend, the BOM was a boring history book. Man! Now that was the dumbest statement I ever made.

If you feel inclined, would you expound on this? I'm hoping that this thread serves to be uplifting by the sharing of our meaningful experiences.

[Hemidakota]

[Taken from my writings]

While serving in ‘D” Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, Hawaii, I met another Marine named xxxxxxx. This man’s character has defiled almost every commandment Moses set forth to the Hebrews. The only commandment I can’t recall is whether he murdered someone but afterward, in being his close friend, knowing his character, I can attest he never did. We always hanged together through training, the nightlife, and training schools. xxxxxxx was a great man since he loved the Savior after his conversion. He now lives in the Provo area of Utah.

My stay in that company was a short duration since I had some private family issues I had to deal with and with facing daily (leadership) prejudices from those who objected me, being assigned to Recon by not undergoing the customary indoctrination prior in joining this elite group of Marines. Between these two problems in my life during that time frame, my full focus was not on my job at hand. With the constant training throughout the month, finding time to clear up these problems was very hard. Thus, I parted my way to another Marine organization on the same base – Headquarters Supply, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines.

After being in this new command, I did manage to stay in contact with xxxxxxx since we lived in the same NCO barracks aboard MCAS Kaneohe Bay. Interesting to note, prior before my leaving on six-month Marine/Navy Westpac float (tour of duty aboard a naval vessel in the Pacific Rim area), xxxxxxx had converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His conversion was made possible by a person who was less-active in the church and a return missionary. I did meet this individual prior to float and noted his character even being a less active exceeded those Marines in Recon. If my memory serves me right, his less-active status was due to immorality issues. At this point, I don’t recall Tim even having the Aaronic Priesthood prior to leaving on float since this was done in hast.

After being underway in the Pacific, I was assigned to the USS Duluth’s LPD-6 (a Marine amphibious ship) Logistic Loading Team. The team comprised of the unwanted Marines from the assigned floatable Marine units onboard that ship’s Marine Units didn’t want around. The slang term was called ‘slimes’. First Sergeant selected two of his best NCO’s or Sergeants that could shape and control these troublesome Marines. My assignment and sleeping quarters of being with this detachment was on the same corridor with Tim’s berthing space [Recon Marines].

xxxxxx stopped by my berthing space in September of that year to talk about a book and its historical narrative of what we term in our culture called the American Indians [a Gentile perspective]. I sat down to listen, knowing the great transformation in his personal character of great sin to one of great faith and righteousness. It really surprised me to see such transformation and wealth of spiritual knowledge from this man that it held me captivated during his presentation. At the end of his talk and trying to answer many questions that night, he handed me a paperback Book of Mormon. He thus went on to point out to me that the underlining scriptural references to study and different pages to read. Tim also discussed about gaining a testimony of this marvelous book and the Savior Jesus the Christ. He did mentioned that in the Book of Moroni, chapter 10, if I asked of GOD with great faith, being humbled, repentant of my sins, thus changing my way of life, GOD would talk to me and answer my prayers. I took his words literally. Perhaps, this was a positive move for me as you will see later.

I took the Book of Mormon and began reading it when I had the opportunity between the daily tasks and leading the troops in a daily taskings. After a week or so, I went back to xxxxxx and gave back the Book of Mormon. I told him it was boring seeing it sounded like an Indian historical book more than something that I could digest as relevant to current day’s dealings between GOD and man. Talk about pure ignorance on my behalf. xxxxxxx, being patient and filled with the spirit, asked me if I was interested in reading current revelations manifested to the Prophet Joseph Smith and those prophets who preceded him. I said yes. He gave me the book called ‘Doctrine and Covenants’ that contained the Pearl of Great Price and History of Joseph Smith.

Well, you never believe this but this book held me captive on those precious free moments at night or during a break. I read the book in its entirety; including the Pearl of Great Price and History of Joseph Smith. During that time, I was found among those called the Calvinists or Born Again believers; I went about preaching the word I had already learned. This was strange since I was not even a member of the church or received an answer to my prayer.

I kept praying for that answer every day since my initial visit by xxxxxxx. I didn’t rest until GOD answered my prayer literally as I supposed it was the only way for my own conversion. During that first week of November, we had to move our mattress due to bug infestation that someone contacted out in a local town in the Philippines, where the ship laid anchor. I managed to catch some sleep time while laying down under the hanging uniforms, my location as to my bedding to be near the troops in case of emergency call up during the night. We had quite of few of them during the last month or so.

Being a Marine, in a humble surrounding, very late at night where most troops were already asleep, I lay there staring up at the berthing space’s ceiling, offering my personal prayer in seeking an answer on which religion and church to join. Whether or not that the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith was truly HIS prophet.

Well, it happened that night on 8th November. While thus in prayer…the answer came. [Rest of the story was omitted]

[tree]

for me , it started when i was 10yrs old, i realized that there was only one God,Jesus and Holy Ghost,and should be one exact interpretation of the bible . so why so many religions ? and i read in the bible about a person who possibly sinned before he was born and wondered how could that be ? and if everything on earth was male and female, what about the female aspect of God ? and why it was never mentioned why Jesus ever married or not ? and the fact that there seemed more or deeper explanations to the bible than there were, (it seemed there was some missing or just not fully explained) any way i had all these questions that no one could answer and i was told that i think to much. it wasn't until i went to work for some precious people in their home that i over heard a discussion of their family home evening, and i knew instantly that it was the answers to some of my questions i had for all of these years,so i inquired and was invited to church and almost the instant i walked in it i felt a peace that surpassed all understanding and i knew that here is where i needed to be, so the missionaries talked to me and gave me a book of mormon and as i read it ,my bossom began to burn, and i started crying and knew it was true and that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God ,( for no teenager could make up this awesome truth.) i was baptized. and thats how i came to know the book of mormon is infact true and the LDS church is the true church of Jesus Christ,Amen. p.s. i was 34 when this all took place,praise God i didnt die before receiving the truth!

[tomk]

I've enjoyed reading these posts, particularly Hemidakota's.

I remember reading the Book of Mormon during my teens and praying about it in private and receiving a witness. It was a witness such that I have never felt to discount it as having any other source other than having come from God. No angels appeard, no visions opened in my mind. Just a sweet feeling of peace and warmth from head to toe.

But I would have to say that my testimony and conversion regarding the Book came many many years later, particularly as I became involved in an LDS 12-Step program in order to deal with some Law of Chastity issues that had plagued me since I was 14 years old.

There are many verses which have deep meaning for me now, but one verse in particular has come to mean a lot to me. The wording is very subtle, but if you have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" you can catch the meaning of it. Or in other words, God can reveal it to you and write it upon your heart when you are ready.

Alma 7:23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

This verse is like a cup of ultra concentrated laundry soap, but the part that I want to talk about is the last part. There is a distinct word choice that captivates me, and causes my heart to sing hosana:

"whatsoever things ye do receive"

The verse instructs us to ask for whatever spiritual or temporal things we stand in need of.

Then it instructs us to ALWAYS RETURN THANKS for whatsoever things we end-up receiving from the Lord in response to our petition.

This has striking parallels to the Law of Consecration.

1) We ask for EVERYTHING we think we stand in need of.
2) We get back what God in His wisdom knows we need.
3) We are to thank Him for what He wisely chose to give us, even if it is not what we asked for.

The implied lesson here is "What can I learn about the nature of God by what I asked for vs what I received back from Him?" What lesson is He teaching me by how He chose to respond to my petitions?

But there's more.

In this verse lies the secret to "getting what we want" especially in terms of the struggles we face. The key is in being grateful. Grateful for what we DO HAVE not envying what we DON'T HAVE or the ways in which we think or wish God would bless us. Be grateful for how He chooses to bless you. If you do, He can bless you with even more things that are needful! Blessings that you truly need. Blessings that will help you grow the most.


I just can't say enough about this verse or the book.


The book does not have any other origins beside what was stated by Joseph Smith. It is of God. It came about by His power and by no other means. It testifies of Christ and brings us closer to Him (literally).


Tom

[THIRDpersonviewer]

A couple years ago, while I was in high school, our youth got together at the Bishop's house to read the Book of Mormon. I believe it was just after President Hinckley issued the Book of Mormon challenge. Anyways, I think we started reading about eight in the evening. I remember being excited, because I felt like I had never read the Book of Mormon all the way through, and now was my chance. That wasn't the case but that is how I felt.(I am a perfectionist) I still feel that way, actually. I couldn't wait.

So we started reading. We each read a page. I remember reading, and early on I can remember reading and there wasn't much there in terms of feeling the Spirit. I was never very good at discerning the Spirit(until recently), and so I read. There were like 15 of us I think, maybe less. We sat or laid down comfortably in a circle. I fell asleep from like 1 to 5 in the morning. I woke up and I woke back up and I remember has some people would come and go, but I stayed. I wanted to get through it. We got passed 3 Nephi.

I sadly don't remember listening to the words. I just felt impressed that if I got through the book I would know it was true. It was reading and somewhere in Mormon, I started to feel something. As we neared the end, the feeling grew. The feeling was definitely present. I can't really describe it. When we finished the Book of Mormon I felt peaceful.

Then when we were done, we said a prayer. I remember I said it. I rarely volunteer for prayers, but I felt impressed to for this one. I offered it and the sealing of truth from the Holy Ghost witnessed to me of the truthfulness of the book. Witnessed to me that what we had done was right. That we had pleased the Lord. The feeling was so strong. I can't truly describe it. It was an overwhelming power, peace, comfort, satisfaction. joy. I was hit with so much of it. Just as I am now.

Like I said, I don't remember any specific words but when I look back on experience. I see the growing feeling of the Spirit which I felt. It was always there but it worked in like an exponential progression of power. By no means was it easy but I received a reward for the diligence of the effort. D&C 132:5

This wasn't the first time(looking back), nor was it the last that I had received it. This was probably the strongest though. Took me a couple of months before I realized that I could then testify that it is true. I can say I know independently of any other person that it is true because I received the witness independent of others. And I now testify with every fiber of my soul that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the pure word of God. It is a witness of Christ, of whom I also testify. And I say things things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[skalenfehl]

Originally Posted by THIRDpersonviewer

The feeling was so strong. I can't truly describe it. It was an overwhelming power, peace, comfort, satisfaction. joy. I was hit with so much of it. Just as I am now.

You know, as I felt prompted to start this thread and as I wrote my experience, I felt the Spirit swell within me. It almost feels like an embrace from Father in Heaven. Some people affectionately refer to this feeling as a "warm fuzzy" feeling. These feelings that we describe are the fruits of the Spirit, some of which are described in the Bible:

Gal. 5: 22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Something else noteworthy:


D&C 62: 3

3 Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.

Please share your testimony, stay on the path and endure to the end.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by tree

for me , it started when i was 10yrs old, i realized that there was only one God,Jesus and Holy Ghost,and should be one exact interpretation of the bible . so why so many religions ? and i read in the bible about a person who possibly sinned before he was born and wondered how could that be ? and if everything on earth was male and female, what about the female aspect of God ? and why it was never mentioned why Jesus ever married or not ? and the fact that there seemed more or deeper explanations to the bible than there were, (it seemed there was some missing or just not fully explained) any way i had all these questions that no one could answer and i was told that i think to much. it wasn't until i went to work for some precious people in their home that i over heard a discussion of their family home evening, and i knew instantly that it was the answers to some of my questions i had for all of these years,so i inquired and was invited to church and almost the instant i walked in it i felt a peace that surpassed all understanding and i knew that here is where i needed to be, so the missionaries talked to me and gave me a book of mormon and as i read it ,my bossom began to burn, and i started crying and knew it was true and that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God ,( for no teenager could make up this awesome truth.) i was baptized. and thats how i came to know the book of mormon is infact true and the LDS church is the true church of Jesus Christ,Amen. p.s. i was 34 when this all took place,praise God i didnt die before receiving the truth!

Amazing....thanks for the personal story.