John's Testimony

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormon). I was baptized when I was 8 years old by my father on Saturday, August 23 1969, then received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands the next day (John 3:5). My parents were of different faiths when I was born, but later converted to the restored gospel.

The dictionary defines the words to believe as: to accept as true, take to be true; to have a firm religious faith; to consider to be true or honest; to hold an opinion.
The dictionary also defines the words to know as: to be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; to be aware of the truth or factuality of.

Please let me share with you what once were beliefs for me, that through personal study, prayer and experience, have now become knowledge, things that I know, not just believe.

I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves and cares about us. I know that He has a plan for all of His children here on earth, a plan of happiness. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, that through Him the bands of death were broken and that all mankind will have eternal life (Luke 24:36-39). I know that He is the only begotten Son of our Heavenly Father, an important part of this plan of happiness, and that He lives!

I know that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel (Article of Faith 3). I know of the reality of the Holy Ghost, how he guides, protects and comforts us. I know the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to be one in purpose (John 17:21-22) but three distinct beings (Acts 7:55-56).

I know that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter-days. I know that the boy prophet Joseph Smith was visited by our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ in a sacred grove in Palmyra, NY after a sincere, humble prayer. I know that there is a living prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson, who guides and assists Heavenly Father’s children as did prophets of old. I know that there are 12 living apostles on the earth today who teach and testify of Christ and His message.

I know that we have been blessed with scriptures to help us and guide us. I know of the truthfulness of the Holy Bible which contains the Old and New Testament teachings of the old world, prophesies of Christ, his birth and his ministry, teachings and example. I know that during His ministry he organized His church with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists (Ephesians 4:11-14). I know The Book of Mormon to be true and another testament and witness of Jesus Christ and that it supports & clarifies the Bible.

I know that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; forth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Article of Faith 4)

I know that families can be together forever through sacred priesthood ordinances performed in holy temples and obedience to covenants. I know that the true and living church is on the earth today, that the truths about life’s great questions are now restored.

I know all of these things to be true through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.

I invite all who read what I am sharing to seek this same truth and knowledge for themselves through personal prayer and revelation. I promise that you can and will receive specific answers to your specific questions regarding the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I testify that our Savior lives and the fullness of His gospel is available. Will you seek Him as I have, and learn for yourself what you too can come to know?