I never questioned the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as I was growing up — I always assumed it was true and I knew that I could feel the Spirit as I read it. It wasn’t till I was a teenager and began struggling with anxiety and depression that I needed to know for myself not just that the Book of Mormon is true, but that Jesus Christ lives and that He is my Savior.
As a fifteen-year-old I struggled to open up about my feelings to my family or friends. Instead I would go into my room after my parents went to bed and pore over the words of the Book of Mormon, desperately searching for any kind of comfort. I did this every night for weeks and months, praying harder than ever and wanting so badly to know of God’s love for me.
The witness didn’t come immediately — it took work. I had to prove that I sincerely wanted it. But over time it came, and I knew for myself that Jesus Christ is my Savior, that He lives, He loves me, and He knows how I feel.
These verses especially helped me to understand Christ and His Atonement:
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
-Alma 7:11-12
Through my prayerful, faithful, and sincere studying of the Book of Mormon, I came to know for myself that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that through His Atonement, He can “succor” me during whatever trials I experience in my life. He will always be there for me. I am grateful that each time I read the Book of Mormon, and do so in faith and with real intent, I can receive this same witness. And I know that you can as well — anyone in the world can. That is the beauty and miracle of the Book of Mormon.
I recently returned from serving a mission in Hawaii and am now at BYU studying Technology and Engineering Education with an emphasis in multimedia. I enjoy coloring and Japanese cabbage pancake-making and if you need me you’ll find me staring up at the stars, clouds, or trees, sometimes all at once.