I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to speak with my brother.
For those of you who don’t know me my name is Hayli Gittins and I just returned from the Michigan Lansing Mission.
For those of you who don’t know me my name is Hayli Gittins and I just returned from the Michigan Lansing Mission.
During a General Conference in 1986 President Ezra Taft Benson said quote,
“I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times.
The gift I was thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technology revolutions.
This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine.
It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon.”
“I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times.
The gift I was thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technology revolutions.
This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine.
It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon.”
This is a pretty bold claim to make that the Book of Mormon is more important than inventions revolutions and advances in the world.
So why is the Book of Mormon so important?
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement.
He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion”
A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.
He testified that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion”
A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.
Speaking of the Book of Mormon President Thomas S Monson said, “ if it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith
was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth,
and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.
and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.
I think it is cool because….
Teaching people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ made me realize the vital role that the Book of Mormon plays and should play
in each of our lives.
in each of our lives.
So how can we come to know if the Book of Mormon is true?
In Mormon chapter 9 verses 3-5 it says
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful
the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 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.
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.
One experience was one of my recent converts named David he had been taught that the bible was the only true book of scripture out there
and had a hard time believing that there could be another book of scripture. He was willing to read it and see. As we kept meeting with him
however we could tell that his heart was beginning to soften and he had more of a desire to know if the Book of Mormon was true.
And eventually he came to know the truth of it.
and had a hard time believing that there could be another book of scripture. He was willing to read it and see. As we kept meeting with him
however we could tell that his heart was beginning to soften and he had more of a desire to know if the Book of Mormon was true.
And eventually he came to know the truth of it.
It all starts with a desire to learn and to change. We must read and learn and then study it out in our minds first. Joseph Smith was a great example
of this he had a question of “which church to join” so he went and visited churches talked to pastors and studied the bible. While reading the bible he
came across james chapter 1 verse 5-6…..
of this he had a question of “which church to join” so he went and visited churches talked to pastors and studied the bible. While reading the bible he
came across james chapter 1 verse 5-6…..
In JSH 1 verse 13. It reads……….
I think we can apply the example set by Joseph Smith into our own lives.
We need to read the Book of Mormon or study it ponder the messages it contains in our hearts. And then ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name
of Christ, if these things are true. I love the promise given in Moroni if we ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the
truth of it unto us.
of Christ, if these things are true. I love the promise given in Moroni if we ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the
truth of it unto us.
Another one of my recent converts Rachael said quote, “ When I read the Book of Mormon I felt peaceful and felt a greater understanding then when
I read the Bible.”
I read the Bible.”
Parley P Pratt had a similar experience he said “As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book
was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.”
was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.”
That Desire to know the truth of it is so huge, There were many times on my mission when I wondered why people weren’t recieving
there answer that the book of mormon was true. One example for instance was a guy named Rolfe who we had been teaching for several months.
He read the Book of Mormon everyday but still didn’t know if it was true or not. One day I felt impressed to ask him that if he came to found out if the
Book of Mormon was true. If he would be baptized. He said no. And I knew that was why he hadn’t recieved his answer He didn’t have that desire to
change.
there answer that the book of mormon was true. One example for instance was a guy named Rolfe who we had been teaching for several months.
He read the Book of Mormon everyday but still didn’t know if it was true or not. One day I felt impressed to ask him that if he came to found out if the
Book of Mormon was true. If he would be baptized. He said no. And I knew that was why he hadn’t recieved his answer He didn’t have that desire to
change.
In my last area we started teaching a part member family. The wife is a devoted member of the church. And her husband was a pastor at 2 local
congregations. They are such an amazing family. He wasn’t like the typical pastors you meet out there who just want to bash with you.
congregations. They are such an amazing family. He wasn’t like the typical pastors you meet out there who just want to bash with you.
He uses the Book of Mormon to preach his sermons in his church’s on Sundays. He loves the Book of Mormon and the teachings it contains in it.
He believes the book of mormon is good and that the principles it contains can help us draw closer to God. The only thing he is missing is that spiritual
confirmation that it is true…...
He believes the book of mormon is good and that the principles it contains can help us draw closer to God. The only thing he is missing is that spiritual
confirmation that it is true…...
So why is it important to know that the Book of Mormon is true.
In the Sunday morning session of the April 2017 President Thomas S Monson spoke about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how
critical it is for us to study ponder and apply its teachings in our lives daily. He said quote “The importance of having a firm and sure testimony
of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.” In this same talk, President Monson pleaded with “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the
Book of Mormon each day.”2 And many have responded to our prophet’s plea.
critical it is for us to study ponder and apply its teachings in our lives daily. He said quote “The importance of having a firm and sure testimony
of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.” In this same talk, President Monson pleaded with “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the
Book of Mormon each day.”2 And many have responded to our prophet’s plea.
On my mission I saw many peoples testimonies grow and develop due to the Power of the Book of Mormon. I also saw my own testimony of
the Book of Mormon grow immensely as I studied and pondered it daily!
the Book of Mormon grow immensely as I studied and pondered it daily!
As I was studying for this talk I realized how many prophets and apostles have talked about the Book of Mormon it really is the keystone of our religion. I also realized how many blessings are promised to us as we study the book of mormon each day.
President Ezra Taft Benson once said…
There is a power in the book of mormon which will begin to flow into your lifes the moment you begin a serious study of the book you will find
greater power to resist temption. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find power to stay on the straight and narrow path.
greater power to resist temption. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find power to stay on the straight and narrow path.
I saw the Power of the Book of Mormon many times on my mission. One of those was Rachael, Rachael shortly after we started teaching
Rachael she felt impressed to share the book of mormon with her foster kid named faust. He was really struggling with reading and was behind in his 3rd grade class.
Rachael felt impressed to have him start reading the book of mormon. He was drawn to the Book of Mormon and often times would beg Rachael to help him read
more of it. Rachael was shocked because this was a boy he never even wanted to pick up a book. Or walk into a library. Within months his reading level increased
immensly He now loves reading especially the book of mormon.
Rachael she felt impressed to share the book of mormon with her foster kid named faust. He was really struggling with reading and was behind in his 3rd grade class.
Rachael felt impressed to have him start reading the book of mormon. He was drawn to the Book of Mormon and often times would beg Rachael to help him read
more of it. Rachael was shocked because this was a boy he never even wanted to pick up a book. Or walk into a library. Within months his reading level increased
immensly He now loves reading especially the book of mormon.
President Monson said… I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position
to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.
to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.
These blessings and promises are sure if we study the Book of mormon each day.
I am grateful for the blessings I have seen come into my life from studying the book
of mormon each day. I know that as we study and ponder the book of mormon that
we can come closer to Christ. I am so grateful for……..
I am grateful for the blessings I have seen come into my life from studying the book
of mormon each day. I know that as we study and ponder the book of mormon that
we can come closer to Christ. I am so grateful for……..
It was great to have the Hoths, The Morrells, The Gittins, The Rummlers, The Hansens, The Cooks, The Hoopes, The Regens, The Rogers, Pat Morrell who helped SO much in the Kitchen and Joni who Swept and cleaned like a champ. Lance (Papa) cleaned the whole house after and mopped the floors. So many people brought so much food. We had chicken tacos and yummy salads and desserts. Sugar cookies in Michigan shape made by Morgan for hours. So Blessed!! and Sister Biggs, in the sacrament meeting invocation blessed Hayli in her next stage in life which we all believe is coming quite soon...... To Be Continued..... See the above photo!!
AND MY FAVORITE MOM LETTER!!!!
