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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The First Vision

      In the spring of 1820 at Palmyra, New York, a young boy named Joseph Smith retired to a secluded grove of trees with private intentions to pray to God. It is impossible to determine exactly what Joseph expected, if he indeed expected anything at all from his prayer, but there can be no doubt that he never could have expected what he received: An answer.

        Not only an answer though, but an answer that was given in the most direct and personal way possible. An answer that, though it would dramatically alter Joseph's personal life, and set him on a course for humiliation and persecution, would bring salvation to innumerable souls.

An answer from the lips of God Himself.

What took place that day in a humble grove of trees would bring spiritual light to a world that for centuries had been clawing and clamoring for truth in benighted darkness. It would become an entreasured juncture in the annals of history, as the day that God broke His silence to once again commune with men.

This is the story of the first vision:

Saturday, April 16, 2011

My Testimony of Christ

I feel there would be no better way to begin a new gospel-oriented blog than with this, my solemn and personal testimony.

First, I believe in Jesus Christ.

I know that He is my Savior.

I know that He suffered and died for my sins,

and that knowledge, for me, is overwhelming. I cannot even attempt to fathom the full weight of Christ's sacrifices for me alone without finding myself struggling to fight back tears. He suffered through persecution, agony, humiliation, and death so sinners (the company of such that you and I are not exempt from being associated with) could have a chance. Just a chance to repent of our sins and return to God's presence. A chance that He undoubtedly knew many would turn down; ignorant or apathetic of the fact that their souls are not their own, and have been bought with their Savior's blood. Indeed, Christ gave his life so that even the very men who drove the nails into His palms would have a chance to be forgiven, if they would only repent and accept Him as their Savior.

          Therefore I know that there is not one soul that Christ does not personally know and love, regardless of their sins and shortcomings.

      I know that Christ lives, and I know that He leads and guides His church to this very day. I know that in answer to an adolescent boy's humble and unassuming prayer, the true gospel of Jesus Christ has once again been restored to the earth, no different now than it was when Christ himself established it Himself, during His own earthly ministry. I know that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet of God to restore His true church to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and serves to further affirm His divinity as the Son of God, and the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.
        I know that we are all part of one eternal family, and I consider everyone who reads these words to be another brother or sister, who came from the same God that I have come from, and who will return to Him after death.

        I could go on, but there is more power in brevity. So suffice it to say this. First and foremost God exists. He is our spiritual Father, and He resides as a glorified and perfected being in a state of paradise that we know as Heaven. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son in the Flesh. These supernal progenitors of the human race love every soul that ever has, does, and ever will exist.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's true church.

      Jesus Christ lives, and He has invited everyone to come unto Him, and receive His gospel, fully restored and reinstated through modern day prohets, and all blessings therein. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism into His true church, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, I promise you will find a new and perfect peace and joy in life, and a greater understanding of your place and purpose in God's eternal plan. I promise you blessings as you endeavor to learn more of Jesus Christ, your friend and advocate in life and death, and His gospel. If you so desire, you can begin right now to gain a testimony of God's love for you with earnest and sincere daily prayer. I declare this in the name of Jesus Christ, and conclude with an affectionate amen.