Elder Mitchell's Testimony

Since coming on my mission I have learned that this church is true.  I already knew it before I left, but now I know beyond doubt.

I have come to a greater knowledge and understanding that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, given to us in these the last days to bring us the fullness of the gospel and to add another witness to the words contained in the Bible.  As I have studied from its pages I have felt the Spirit of God bear witness to me that the words written in that book are indeed the words of Christ and that they were written especially for us.  The writers saw us and our day and wrote what we needed to help us make it through these perilous times.

I have also come to know with greater conviction that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God.  God has always worked through prophets and who are we to tell God what He can and can’t do.  Visions and revelation was not meant to stop after the Apostles, to believe that God only loves some of his children.  But because He loves all of his children He called Joseph Smith to restore the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which had been lost.  The Book of Mormon proves that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God.  There is no way that an uneducated 17 year old farm boy could fictitiously come up with such a book, and the only way you can find this out is through study and prayer.  The only way you can find spiritual truths is through spiritual means.

Most importantly of all, I have come to know my Saviour and Redeemer.  There is a lot you learn about the Master when you spend two years as His representative walking in his footsteps.  I have come to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and only through His sacrifice, His grace and His mercy can we return to live with our Father in Heaven.  There is absolutely nothing we can do to pay off the debt of our sins.  He has paid the price down to the “uttermost farthing”.  But because He has paid our price, He has the right to ask us something in return, which is repentance, baptism and the keeping of His commandments.

I am so grateful for my Saviour Jesus Christ for all he has done for me.  He has suffered all pains, sickness, temptations, sorrows, whatever you can think of, He has suffered it so that we can turn to Him and find relief.

This church is true, and as it says in the title it is the Church of Jesus Christ.  Not Joseph Smith, not Thomas S Monson, but Jesus Christ.  He is at the head of this church.  He is the one that guides us through his servants.  He is our Lord and Saviour.

This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Written March 2014