Posted by As you have hopefully already read and seen on this website, many of my dearest friends and neighbors have shared their testimonies of The Book of Mormon. I, too, have wanted to contribute for weeks–if not months–but I hesitated to actually sit down and write out my feelings. I think a part of me wanted it to be “perfect” and that standard prevented me from even starting.
But today, as I talked with my friend at Church, the phrase “done is better than perfect” came to mind, and my excuses evaporated.
And I think that’s a perfect analogy for life–and my feelings about God, Jesus Christ, and The Book of Mormon. Let me explain:
I was born into a family that attended church every week–and they still do. Growing up, there was an expectation that our baseline level of participation in all things “Church” was just what we did and who we were. So, from my earliest memories, The Book of Mormon has been a major part of my life. I remember getting my first hard-bound copy when I turned 8 and decided to be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I literally learned to read by reading the words of The Book of Mormon out loud with my parents each night, and eventually on my own too. I remember the calm, peaceful feeling it gave me to learn about the faithful followers of Jesus Christ described in its pages, and His eventual visit and ministry. All of it seemed GOOD to me, but I couldn’t say with certainty that I knew it was true.
So, I kept doing the things I had been taught. I attended Church. I read the scriptures. I prayed. I served others. I tried to love and serve God. And even though those things were “done”, I didn’t feel like it was “perfect”.
Fast forward to the summer I turned 16. I was attending a week-long camp for youth, specifically focused on deepening our relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We were encouraged to study, ponder, and pray over the question of whether The Book of Mormon–and by extension, the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Gospel–was true…but despite my efforts, nothing came. By Thursday of that week, all I knew was that I had had a great time, made many new friends, and learned things I hadn’t known before. But I hadn’t experienced that “mighty change of heart” that The Book of Mormon itself promised for earnest seekers of truth.
Then one evening, as we sat in an auditorium and watched a film featuring the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming sensation of God’s love for me. My tears flowed freely and formed a puddle on the ground in front of my seat. I don’t remember what the film was about–but I remember the feeling when I saw a Prophet of God speaking about Jesus Christ, and the witness of the Spirit to me “It’s true! It’s ALL true! The Book of Mormon, a Living Prophet, Priesthood Authority restored to the Earth for our day–everything!”
Even now, as I type this with tears in my eyes, I think of that moment in July of 2001, and I can say I know The Book of Mormon is true. And while for me, that singular event stands out, the truth is that my testimony of its truth began much, much earlier. And my journey of faith isn’t over. Because that’s how God most often works. In the whispering of the Holy Spirit. In loving invitations. In gentle rebukes. Little by little, over the course of years–not minutes.
So, when I say “done is better than perfect”, what I mean is that sometimes it’s good enough to simply have a desire to know, and move forward in faith that an answer will eventually come. Because sometimes answers DON’T come in the time-frame we expect. But in the mean time, I ask you to please continue to put in the work by attending Church meetings, praying, and reading scriptures. Because I can’t promise you WHEN your answer will come, but I can promise you that it WILL come.
Then, some day you will realize that all of the things you did to get to that point WERE a witness all along. And because the New Testament definition of “perfect” means actually means “complete”, you will know that everything that you “complete” on your journey of faith is helping you to BECOME perfect. And as you continue on that journey throughout your life, you will feel whole. That’s what God wants for you and for all of us.
It worked for me. It has for millions around the world. And it will for you.
Book of Mormon Testimonies 