My Testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel

I have often been asked why I study the Signs of the Times.  Some faithful followers of the Savior and good valiant members of the Church have even suggested that it isn't important to include this topic within their studies and even think that it may be out of the mainstream of the Church to focus attention on this subject.  Marion G. Romney gave the following statement in General Conference concerning the Signs of the Times.

I hope we are all familiar with these words of the Lord and with his predictions concerning other coming events, such as the building of the new Jerusalem and the redemption of the old, the return of Enoch's Zion, and Christ's millennial reign.    Not only do I hope that we are familiar with these coming events; I hope also that we keep the vision of them continually before our minds. This I do because upon a knowledge of them, and an assurance of their reality and a witness that each of us may have part therein, rests the efficacy of Christ's admonition, "be not troubled."
(Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, p.52, October 1966)

I can truly say that I have peace in my life due to knowing that God is omniscient.   God knows all and has prepared a way of escape for those who keep His commandments and follow His prophets.  I am eternally grateful to the Lord for the peace that comes from prophecy and from scripture.  I more fully understand the meaning of, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  I believe that the more fully we know the character, nature and attributes of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ the more faith we can have in God so we can survive the tests of this life.  In the Wentworth Letter Joseph Smith said one of the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not just faith, but faith in Jesus Christ.   We must know the Savior in order to have faith in Him.

I can bear testimony of the impact this aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has had in my life.  I have experienced first hand that, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God."  I have always had faith in Jesus Christ but my faith is deeper as I gain more knowledge and witness the writings and prophesies of the prophets.  I testify that the words of the prophets are true.  I know of a surety that the words of the Savior will, "all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same."  I accept the words of the First Presidency as the words of the Savior (D&C 112: 20).  I thank my Heavenly Father daily that we have a Prophet today to lead and guide us.  I testify that Gordon B. Hinckley is that prophet and I sustain him and his counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators.

I know of a surety that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he rose from the tomb and that He lives today.  I look forward to His Return in Glory.  I pray that I may be ready for that return and that I will have oil in my lamp.

I am forever indebted to my Heavenly Father and my Savior.   The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  The scriptures are true.  I know that the Book of Mormon is in fact Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  I know the words within that book are directly inspired for us in our day. 

Some day I hope to actually be able to visit the Holy Land but my feelings for the events of the Last Days will not be any more vivid than they are today.

And finally, I have a deep love and appreciation for the Plan of Salvation.  I know the answer to the question that David posed when he wrote, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"  I know who I am.  I am a child of God.  I look forward to the day that I can see my Father again.  I look forward to the day when, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain...I will be his God, and he shall be my son."