My husband and I have been reading Jesus the Christ by James Talmage and have been filled with awe at what Jesus Christ went through in Gethsemane and on the cross for all mankind. We've also been listening to an audio book "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad R Callister. I am amazed and grateful for the research that both men put into their books to help us to understand better what Jesus Christ did and why He did it and to understand the deep love that He and our Heavenly Father have for each one of us. I also finished a 6 week reading of the Book of Mormon on December 31st, again highlighting all the words of Christ and words about Him in a new book. Almost every chapter has something highlighted and in Third Nephi almost every verse in the book is highlighted. I come away from these books so full of love for my savior and my Heavenly Father and for the great plan of happiness that they orchestrated for the eternal happiness of every one of their children if they will but accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As I read about Thomas, the apostle that refused to believe that Jesus was resurrected and had appeared to the other apostles, who said: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." I wonder what would have happened to him, if he hadn't had the opportunity to see the resurrected Jesus Christ. Would he ever have come to a knowledge that Jesus really had been resurrected? When Jesus appeared to the 12 a week later, when Thomas was present, Jesus said to him: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Then Thomas acknowledged Him saying "My Lord and my God." Then Jesus said: "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." I understand that it is difficult for some people to believe without seeing him and without having the gift of faith, but faith can come to those who even have the desire to believe. It becomes stronger as we exercise it.
Last year in Sunday School we were studying the New Testament, and studying the life of Jesus Christ. Before that or during (I can't remember) I read through all of the references of Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide, which included all the references to him in the Old Testament and other Standard Works. All of the scriptures confirm that Jesus truly is the Son of God and our Savior. I'm amazed at how they all correlate with each other. If they were all myths, all coming at different times, it's amazing that they all agree that Jesus would come, He came and he died, was resurrected and will come again. They all witness of his divinity, the need for a Savior and that He was to be our Savior. We are taught that at the last day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.
The Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. I realize that more now than I ever did before. There are some who would say that the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith himself or that he was part of a deception by those close to him. It doesn't make logical sense to me that the Book of Mormon could have been written by an evil man who just wanted to pull the wool over his followers eyes. It doesn't make sense and why would he do it? I recently read a short book called the Case of the Book of Mormon Witnesses by Eldin Ricks https://deseretbook.com/p/case-of-the-book-of-mormon-witnesses-bookshelf-ebook?variant_id=168686-ebook and also I read this article: https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/evaluating-book-mormon-witnesses by Steven C. Harper. Both of these sources give excellent evidence that the Book of Mormon Witnesses never did deny their witness. Some left the church, but still to their dying day, never did deny their witness as written in the front of the Book of Mormon. What other evidence could be given to someone who doesn't want to believe? DNA, Horses, all the stuff that critics bring up as evidence against the validity of the Book of Mormon will eventually be explained/discovered. I'm not worried about it. God wants us to live by faith and we are blessed when we do so.
We are told that half to two thirds of the Book of Mormon was sealed, but that some day, when the people are ready for it, we may have access to the sealed portion. But that day won't come until we accept the part we have. I love the Book of Mormon and it's strong witness of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for Jesus Christ, and His willingness to give His life for us that He may truly be our advocate with the Father. I look forward to the day when we are ready for all that our loving Heavenly Father has ready and waiting for us.
