The End. (Or is it the Beginning?)

©Darrell Wyatt

My heart is full this morning, as I have just finished the journey that I began a little over six months ago. Words cannot describe the blessings that I have received in recording my thoughts as I have read the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.  I have grown to know and love each of the authors and prophets.  I have felt of their pain and their joys, of their trials and their triumphs.  But most of all, I have felt the overwhelming love that each of them had for our Savior, even Jesus Christ.  Most of these men did not live to see Him, of whom they had spent many years testifying and prophesying.  They were shunned and tortured and even killed because of their belief in a Messiah who had not yet come.  I have been abundantly blessed to be a benefactor of their sacrifices.

Moroni spoke, in this last chapter, of the many gifts of God.  He explained that while the gifts may be different for each person, they all come from the same God.  Some will have the gift of wisdom, some knowledge.  Others will have the gift of faith or healing or the ability to work miracles.  Still others may be bestowed with the gift to prophesy or to have the gift of tongues, and some may be able to see angels.  Each and every one of these gifts comes by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God.  And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them. (Moroni 10:8)

I believe that we have all been given at least one of these gifts, even if we do not realize it.  I know that my gift from God is the gift spoken of in verse 11:  exceedingly great faith.  And what an amazing blessing this has been.  I have never, ever had to struggle with my faith.  I know, beyond any doubt, that the church I belong to is Christ's church, restored to this earth with the same structure and keys as were on the earth during His mortal life.  I know, with every part of me, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  It is another testament of Jesus Christ.  I have been blessed to always know this.  I know that it does not come this easily for everyone, which is why I know that my faith is a gift from God.  For this I am eternally grateful. 

I suppose I decided to keep this record of my thoughts for kind of selfish reasons.  I wanted to be able to look back and to see how it has transformed my life, one day at a time, and it really has done that.  Although I have finished reading and writing, I am not done.  The lessons I have learned have given me the knowledge and perspective to start today as a changed and better person.  It's just the beginning.

Because I chose to use such a public forum in which to write, I know that there others who have been reading along with me.  My hope is that I have adequately conveyed the truthfulness of this book to them.  I have such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and of his visit to this continent after his crucifixion.  His teachings are real.  His love his pure.  I am grateful for the sacrifice that He made for me.  I love Him more than I could ever, ever put into words. 

I join with Moroni, in extending a challenge to all who may read this.  No matter what preconceived notions you have about this book, please read it for yourself.  I can say with much confidence that in doing so, with a prayer in your heart, your life will forever be changed.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  (Moroni 10:4)

I know this promise to be true.  "And now I bid unto all, farewell." (Moroni 10:34)

Click here to read what I read today: Moroni 10