Mormon Wanted to Make Sure We Got the Message

After painstaking efforts to pull the best parts from piles and piles of records, Mormon (an ancient prophet) wrote a message to you and me and anyone who would read the record he abridged. He wanted to make sure that we knew why he had found these records worthy of his blood, sweat, and tears. He did not want the purpose of The Book of Mormon to be a mystery to anyone. What does he tell us the purpose of the book is? He tells us on the title page - it is "...that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever--And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations..."

Mormon wanted to make sure we know that we are not cast off forever--that we can return to our Father in Heaven. That we can be forgiven our mistakes and be welcomed back to live with God. Why can we do this? Because Jesus is the Christ. Because he suffered the Atonement for us and paid the price for our sins. That is how badly He wants us to return to Him.

Mormon understood this. He understood this because he studied the Book of Mormon probably closer than anyone ever will. He searched and studied and edited the record and knew what God intended it for. And, he wanted to be sure that we all know what God intends this book to do. If anyone reads this book, they will understand that they are not cast off forever and that Jesus is the Christ.

I Am Christian, I Promise.

All through high school I got lots of questions about my religion. Though it made me nervous at times, I enjoyed discussing my beliefs with my friends and clearing up what my religion was all about.

One topic that often came up was our belief in Christ --people loved to tell me that I was not a Christian. Maybe the nickname, "Mormon" confuses people. They tend to not know that our church is called "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints." Most people don't realize that we most certainly are Christian...that in fact, Jesus Christ is who our religion is all about.

Until I studied the Book of Mormon seriously during Seminary in 10th grade, I hadn't realized how entirely centered on Christ this book is. I had no idea how much closer to Him I would become by reading its pages and applying the ideas it contained.

After reading the Book of Mormon once and developing a closer relationship with my Savior than I had ever had before, I committed to continue to study this book for the rest of my life. Here I am, at age 27, studying it again, forever working to become a better Christian.