I have a strong testimony of God the Father and His plan of happiness, of His son Jesus the Christ as our Savior, of the Book of Mormon being the word of the Lord, of Joseph Smith and his divine mission in restoring the gospel in these latter days and of living prophets who guide and direct the Lord’s kingdom today. I know these things to be true. I have prayed and fasted to know of their truthfulness. I have strived to obey the all the commandments of the Lord to be worthy to receive divine confirmation of truth through the spirit.
My greatest joy is being with my family. I love my family beyond words can express. I have been blessed in the knowledge that my family is sealed together for all eternity - our association continuing beyond the grave should we remain faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. This knowledge comes to me by my faith and testimony.
I know that Jesus is the Christ and that His gospel in all its fullness and priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. He is my personal Savior and Redeemer and through him I know I will be saved if I live according to his will. I know that the Church that Christ established when he was upon the earth with all of its divine authority was changed and eventually lost through the intentional as well as unintentional designs of men. This apostasy required a restoration of the Lord's Church. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God who was an instrument in the hands of the Lord in restoring His gospel once again on the earth. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom upon the earth today and is guided today by true and living prophets and apostles. I testify that the authority of God, His Priesthood, has also been properly restored in these latter days so that men can once again perform saving ordinances such as baptism . I know the Bible and Book of Mormon to be the word of God. I know the Book of Mormon to be exactly what it purports to be – the sacred writings of ancient American prophets translated by the gift and power of God to stand as a second witness and companion to the Bible to proclaim that Jesus is the Christ.
I personally know these things to be true without any doubt through in-depth investigation and fervent prayer – not through the salesmanship of any man.
I hope my testimony strengthens the faith of others or their righteous desires to come unto Christ, be perfected in Him and know for themselves that these things are true. Because of my testimony I am willing to give him two years of dedicated service.
Please find the happiness my family and I have by investigating the Church but do so by talking to a missionary, reading the Book of Mormon, and praying to Heavenly Father. As it promises in the Book of Mormon:
"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 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."
I know these things are true and I am happy. I leave you with my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Spencer John Cawley
