Below are some great quotes that will inspire you to stand up for your faith. Yes, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and in my opinion, it is also important to know the location of the specific “Promised Land” the Lord describes in the Book of Mormon. I believe that location is the United States of America.
Why it’s ok to error in doctrine.
“I did not like the old man being called up for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodist, and not like the Latter-day Saints. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammeled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.”
— Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:340
Why I am passionate about Book of Mormon Geography!
“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.”
– President J. Reuben Clark
Why I feel a desire to share important information that I discover.
“I think you’d be as aware as I am that we have many people who are members of the church who do not have some burning conviction as to [the origins of the Book of Mormon], who have some other feeling about it that is not as committed to foundational statements and the premises of Mormonism. But we’re not going to invite somebody out of the church over that any more than we would anything else about degrees of belief or steps of hope or steps of conviction. … We would say: “This is the way I see it, and this is the faith I have; this is the foundation on which I’m going forward. If I can help you work toward that I’d be glad to, but I don’t love you less; I don’t distance you more; I don’t say you’re unacceptable to me as a person or even as a Latter-day Saint if you can’t make that step or move to the beat of that drum.” … We really don’t want to sound smug. We don’t want to seem uncompromising and insensitive.”
– Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
I want to live decently and not worry about being laughed at or ridiculed.
“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but as the determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.”
– Thomas S. Monson, “Courage Counts,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 41.
The danger of acquiescing doctrinal and historical authority to scholars:
“As a means of coming to truth, people in the Church are encouraged by their leaders to think and find out for themselves. They are encouraged to ponder, to search, to evaluate, and thereby to come to such knowledge of the truth as their own consciences, assisted by the Spirit of God, lead them to discover. Brigham Young said: ‘I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security. … Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not’ In this manner no one need be deceived.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 135).
Why I keep an open mind about learning more about the Gospel..
– James E. Faust, “The Truth Shall Make You Free,” Ensign, September 1998“Brothers and sisters, as good as our previous experience may be, if we stop asking questions, stop thinking, stop pondering, we can thwart the revelations of the Spirit. Remember, it was the questions young Joseph asked that opened the door for the restoration of all things. We can block the growth and knowledge our Heavenly Father intends for us. How often has the Holy Spirit tried to tell us something we needed to know but couldn’t get past the massive iron gate of what we thought we already knew?”
Why we should not be closed minded about accepting various information on Book of Mormon geography.
– Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Acting on the Truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Worldwide Leadership Training, 2/11/12“In this Church there is an enormous amount of room—and scriptural commandment—for studying and learning, for comparing and considering, for discussion and awaiting further revelation. We all learn ‘line upon line, precept upon precept,’ with the goal being authentic religious faith informing genuine Christlike living. In this there is no place for coercion or manipulation, no place for intimidation or hypocrisy.”
Why I keep searching!
“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may the of all things.” Moroni 10:5
I may learn the truth of a thing to help in my daily life, You may learn something to assist you in your family. My Bishop may learn something for himself that has nothing to do with his Ward. The Prophet may learn a truth that he doesn’t feel appropriate to share. My neighbor may learn a truth that he says is true, but later on I find it isn’t. But one thing I do know is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, Joseph Smith is and was a Prophet, and President Russell M. Nelson is a living oracle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t stop asking questions, start listening to the answers and then study and pray to receive your own answer. The Lord will disclose things to you that are only meant for you.
Many people don’t need to share personal experiences and they don’t, and others feel they need to share everything they hear that may seem spiritual, and they do!
