Posted by It was one of those too long Sunday afternoons, the kind that only a parent of young toddlers can understand. I had loaded my two little boys into the car to make the drive up to visit my parents, hoping to break up the monotony of the day.
After spending a few hours visiting and enjoying the much needed change of scenery we were ready to head home. As I was leaving, the Sister Missionaries stopped by for a little visit. This was quite common since my parents were both pretty involved with the stake missionary work and were always good to offer advice and a listening ear to the missionaries. My mom settled into the couch and began to chat with the Sisters about the Book of Mormon, as I gathered my boys and prepared to leave. When I reached the door my Mom looked up from her company and asked “Do you remember the first time you knew the Book of Mormon was true?” I smiled and nodded, not wanting to further the conversation and quickly said my goodbyes.
Over the next hour as I navigated my way back home her question echoed over and over in my head. “Do you remember…?” and all I could genuinly say back to that echo was, “No, I don’t know and I’ve never even asked.” It was an unsettling realization, since I had believed and studied the Book of Mormon my entire life. I looked at my sons in the back seat and thought, how can I teach them about something I don’t even know myself?
The question consumed me for the next several months. I prayed and searched to get an answer, but it didn’t come. I began to feel frustrated at my lack of faith and inability to connect with God about something so important.
One day in desperation, I drove to visit my sister who had recently returned from a mission. I poured out my feelings, my fears and my questions. She carefully listened and gave some heartfelt advice, but I left still feeling unanswered. As I got into my car and began to wind my way through the familiar streets I had an overpowering warmth wash over me. So undeniable that I felt it to my very core. I felt a perfect peace and love that is indescribably. There were no words, just a pure feeling that Heavenly Father was aware that I needed an answer and that He loved me completely.
The interesting thing is that I didn’t get my answer that day, or the next, or even the next week. But that gave me what I needed to be patient and keep seeking. Several weeks later, I was sitting on my couch with the Book of Mormon open in my lap. I hadn’t been particularly pondering on any deep topic, but just simply reading. In that unsuspecting moment, I had the most clear answer fill my mind, “You have always known it was true.” I felt the power of the words sink into my soul and they have never left me.
I have come to appreciate that God’s answers are intensely personal and perfectly timed. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I feel it’s truth fill me with light & power every day.
“Thy power, and goodness and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth.” 1Nephi 1:14
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