Day 5-6: Second/last parts of Testimony of Joseph Smith the Prophet

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 will ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth if it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Second half of the Testimony of Joseph the Prophet

- He is visited four total times by Moroni repeating the same messages, adding something new at the end of each- warning of great judgments, caution that Satan would try to tempt him to get money for the gold plates, and that he should tell his father what he had seen and heard, and where to find the plates etc.

-He went there, saw the plates etc, but had to return there each year for four years before he could get the plates and start the work. In 1827 he was able to get the plates but many people tried to take them from him.

-He kept them safe and completed the work required of him. The plates were delivered up to Moroni when he was done.

-The record from the plates was published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon.

-To receive teaching from an angel would be to erase any lingering uncertainties about God existing and the church being true. I wish my testimony was infallible, and I think it's pretty strong, in a quiet way lately, but to have that kind of tangible evidence of God existing would be mind blowing. Though, there are so many stories in the scriptures of people getting visited by angels (notably, Nephi's brothers) and still they didn't have a testimony that stuck. We're probably better off not seeing things like that so we can build our testimonies from the ground up. Someday we'll live with our Heavenly Father and have evidence of Him and his love all around us all day long. Until then we have to deal with this world which is sometimes pretty dirty and sad, but often is really breathtakingly beautiful.

Remember: "Cast not away therefore your confidence" and remember the times that I have known without a doubt.

I don't think I'm ready to write my testimony just yet. I think that's what this scripture study is about- figuring out where I stand with this new normal of being a wife and mother. I believe that God has never left me, though I haven't been as engaged as other times in my life. I believe I will be blessed for diligence in things like scripture study, prayer, going to church, and FHE. I believe it's worth it.