The Latter-day Life

It’s been over ten years since I was introduced the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My first decade in the Church has been full of milestones – baptism, missionary service, temple marriage, children.

I’ve been reflecting a lot recently. We’ve just wrapped up a stake music production. A great deal of time and hard work went into this production from many members of the stake leadership and most especially, the one hundred plus youth that chose to participate.

During one of the rehearsals while we we singing, I noticed the director start to cry. After we finished, she told us that she recently had an experience where a close friend had challenged her beliefs. Hearing that song confirmed to her that her beliefs that she had held on to for so long were true.

As Christians, we believe in a rebirth, or in other words, being “born again.” This event is crucial to both convert and life-long [born in the faith] member. Not long after I was introduced to the Church, I had an experience, a moment. A moment in time where I knew the things I was learning about, namely, the validity of the Book of Mormon, the prophetic calling held by Joseph Smith, and most important, that Jesus Christ is my Savior, were true. No, I didn’t know everything then, but I knew those things were true. I felt it. It was real, and that was enough for me.

Many of us who have experienced these moments for ourselves, myself included until just recently, haven’t had the opportunity to actually witness someone else’s moment. During that rehearsal, I saw that very moment for our director. It was incredible.

Sure, she had already had her initial moment. This, however, was a reconfirmation of her beliefs, but the feelings were, no doubt, similar.

When we reach the concluding chapter of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni extends an invitation:

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 7:4-5)

After initially reading this promise and experiencing that moment, this verse doesn’t magically disappear for the book or become irrelevant. Moroni’s promise is always there, waiting for us. His invitation to have that special moment is always extended, because having a moment of reconfirmation is just as important as the first.

This moment is only the beginning. It’s the beginning of a wonderful process called conversion. As we strive to experience these special, sacred moments in our spiritual walks, we draw closer to our Savior and our Heavenly Father. We get to know them better, and consequently, develop an increase in our desire to be more like them. We want to serve more, try a little harder, and be a little better each day.

Time is well invested by seeking out these sacred moments. Each one of us are entitled to such experiences. These are the moments that help us remain on the straight and narrow path, and find joy in the journey.