Not Just A Book, The Word of God

There is a movie about the Book of Mormon called "How Rare A Possession".  The movie depicts the stories of how Parley P. Pratt and Vincenzo Di Francesca came to know the truth of the Book of Mormon.  They are truly remarkable stories, the one of Parley P. Pratt, a man who had his life going for him and set off on a journey to find the truth and came across the Book of Mormon. Of his experience he said this, “I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep. I knew and comprehended that the book was true… My joy was now full.” Through the Book of Mormon he had found the truth that he set out to find. 

The other true history is of Vencenzo Di Francesca, this one longer and more in depth, a truly remarkable story.  Vencenzo was an Italian Protestant minister in the early 1900's.  He gave up his ministry for a book without a name, the book was the Book of Mormon but because of the missing cover and title page he knew not the title nor the origin. Some 20 years later he came across the word “Mormon” in a dictionary and from there found the source of his beloved book.  Without the title or origin he still knew it to be true.  He said, "I read and reread, twice and twice again... At the end of the day, I locked the door of my room, knelt with the book in my hands, and read chapter ten of the book of Moroni. I prayed to God, the Eternal Father, in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, to tell me if the book were of God, if it were good and true...I felt my body become cold as the wind from the sea. Then my heart began to palpitate, and a feeling of gladness, as of finding something precious and extraordinary, bore consolation to my soul and left me with a joy that human language cannot find words to describe. I had received the assurance that God had answered my prayer and that the book was of greatest benefit to me and to all who would listen to its words."  Vincenzo received his answer from the source of truth Himself just as we all can.

I leave my witness with those of Brother Fancesca and Brother Pratt, which is I know the Book of Mormon to be true.  It truly is another testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know this through the power of prayer, I have asked our Father in Heaven and He has in reality answered my prayers.  I bear this witness to the world and do so in the name of Jesus Christ.

To read the full of account of Parley P. Pratt go to:

http://lds.org/ensign/2007/04/the-extraordinary-life-of-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng&query=parley+p+pratt 

To read the full account of Vincenzo Di Francesca go to:

 http://lds.org/ensign/1988/01/i-will-not-burn-the-book?lang=eng

A Father's Love

My dad is the greatest dad on earth.  I just want to share a small part of what he has done for me in my life.  My dad taught me through his example.  I learned from his example: hard work, respect of others and the way to live a righteous life.  He never had to say much but he just lived and I watched.  He always gave and gave and never asked for anything in return.  He always supported me in my righteous desires and helped me make the right choices, even if I didn't always listen.  He corrected me when I needed it but always out of love.  He taught me about Christ and helped me find the way to return to live with God again.  As he serves others he never does a job half way, it is always his best.  There is a song by Brad Paisley called “He Didn’t Have To Be”, there is a line in there that I love it says, “Lookin’ back all I can say about all the things he did for me is I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be”  I love my dad, I hope someday I can repay him for everything he has done for me. 


There is so much more that my dad is and that he has done for me but now I want all to think about our Father in Heaven.  How much has He done for each of us individually?  What does He want for all of us?  I think of all my dad has done for me and how much he loves me, then I think how I can’t even comprehend how much my Father in Heaven has done for me or how much He loves me.  It is incredible.  He watches over us and is there for us every moment.  We can pray and converse with Him always and He wants us to.   I love my Heavenly Father and know that He lives.  He loves us all so much and blesses us. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father sent me to the father I have here on earth.  Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and especially to my dad!

 Here is a video of a father who loves his son and helped fulfill his dreams. 

Hold On!

When I was about 12 years old I was involved in the 4-H program showing horses. The first year I had two different horses, the first passed away and the second had bad knees. So my dad and I were searching for a new horse.  We found one for a great price, a little mare named Babe.  She hadn't really been rode for quite some time but she was a beautiful horse.  When I was test riding her she was great except she didn't like going faster than a walk and would give a few bucks if I tried moving her faster.  We decided we could work with that since she was a great deal.

 Not too long after we took her home I was riding her with my dad watching and we were beginning to work with her.  Well Babe did not like that and was throwing a fit.  No matter if I tried moving her faster or controlling her she would buck and jerk trying to throw me off. At one point she about knocked me off by running into a lone tree in the middle of the field.  I remember we went at it for a while so I just held on and it was getting kind of scary, especially for the 12 year old boy I was.  After a while of being scared and tired I ended up in tears and begging my dad to let me get off but he said, "No you stay on, hold on and show who's in charge." I tried again and again but she kept trying to throw me off and wouldn't cooperate.  So I begged my dad some more to please let me get off but once again he told me to, "stay on, hold on and show who's in charge."  So I did, even though I was so mad that my dad wouldn't let me get off. After many tears and many close calls Babe calmed down and became submissive to my command.  She wasn't perfect but I was able to ride her without major problems.  Over the time I worked with her and her with me she ended up taking me to the Utah State Horse Show competition.  We ended up receiving several ribbons and placing in the top 20 of the state.  We became great friends and had a lot of success together.

I liken this experience to life and how it may seem sometime.  So often life tries throwing us off, to the point where we just want to quit.  Whether its trials, temptations or the load of everyday life, we must never give up. When life gets hard and we don't think we can take it anymore we must "stay on, hold on, and show who's in charge."  Just like the story with Babe if we don't give up and press forward then the reward will be wonderful.  After the work and being tossed around come the blessings.  Just as my father urged me to stay on and hold on, we all have a Father in Heaven who pleads with us to do the same in life.  No matter what happens to us we can always ask for His help and He will answer. I know that as we do so the reward will be beyond anything imaginable.