Mississippi Jackson: Moms, Mawms, Mahms

Goooooood morning, world! And Happy Mother's Day to all y'all who are blessed to be mothers. I had the opportunity to call home on Mother's Day! Neat, right?! I'm so grateful to have a family that loves and supports me. They're super awesome, not to brag or anything. :)

The Purvis ward celebrated mothers by commemorating their efforts with songs sung by Primary children and talks given by loving, devoted husbands and sons who have been greatly affected by their mothers' and wives' influences. As the sacrament was passed and we took solemn moments to remember our Savior, I was reminded of a talk Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave at the October 2015 General Conference on motherhood. One of my favorite quotes says:

"Today I declare from this pulpit what has been said here before: that no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child."

I would like to also bear my testimony on this statement. Motherhood is about sacrifice, love, patience, and unending encouragement. Nothing can come closer to the atoning sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ than the love of a mother; I've seen it in families I've visited, mothers in my own family, and mothers of others that I know. Mothers are given a vital responsibility when they are called to bring a life to this earth; they have a Father in Heaven who is there to help them and a Savior who truly understands their burdens, their frustrations, and their sadness.

Over the course of this week, Sister Barney and I have been rather busy with scheduling appointments, seeing members, visiting less-actives and investigators, trying to find those to teach, and sincerely trying to further the work in Purvis. We've learned that Mississippi truly has the cutest shape out of all the states (sorry, Colorado. You are but a square); donkeys like to bite sometimes; you don't bother a king snake; self-aware Furbies exist; and that few people truly understand the Book of Mormon.

Now, on that last subject, we come across this quite a bit! I have the privilege of serving in the Bible Belt. I am in a place where everyone is very aware of their Savior and what role He plays in their lives. But, they know of things Terrestrial -- we are here to give them something Celestial.

The Book of Mormon outlines the true Plan of Salvation and reaffirms the true doctrines taught by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. I, as a Latter-day Saint, love the Bible and esteem it as the word of God. From the Bible, we learn of ancient prophecies of Jesus Christ's birth and ministry; we learn of His kindness, His acts of love, His atonement, and the acts of His apostles. We learn of doctrines such as the Godhead, the correct mode of baptism, and the importance of the laying on of hands for ordinances such as receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, as well as receiving the Priesthood authority.

The Book of Mormon completes these doctrines. You cannot tell me the Bible fills in all the gaps in your questions -- it doesn't do that for me. The Bible has been translated many, many, many times. It is a very ancient record; things have been changed and/or lost, and our Heavenly Father knew that would happen. So, while the Bible was being written, He was also allowing the Book of Mormon to be written. Prophets who had sailed to the American continent were preserving the pure doctrine of Christ on plates that would eventually be hidden so that those doctrines would not be tainted by the teachings of men.

To give you an example, in the third chapter of the book of Matthew, John the Baptist is about to baptize Jesus Christ when he asks why on earth Christ would need to be baptized. He even tells Christ that he has need to be baptized of Him. But, Christ replies, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."

Right after, John the Baptist baptizes Him, fully understanding what He meant. But, for the rest of us -- what does that mean, "to fulfill all righteousness"? Neither the New nor the Old Testaments answer this question. However, this doctrine has been explained in the Book of Mormon when Nephi, a prophet, is preaching about the doctrine of Christ. In the second book of Nephi, chapter 31, Nephi says:

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"

Baptism is a commandment, and it was even a commandment for Christ, the only person in the whole world who would not need to be baptized. Christ fulfilled part of His mission by being baptized; He was sent here to be an example and a sacrifice -- and we must follow the commandments He followed as well.

The Book of Mormon fills in the gaps we are missing. It is a second witness of Christ's divine Sonship, of His teachings and love, of our Heavenly Father's love for all of His children, not just a select few.

This book changes lives. It offers a peace that nothing else in this world can compare to. It is the word of God, just like the Bible. Hand in hand, these sacred texts come together to bring a fullness of joy to all of God's children. I know it. I have felt it, if only a little in this mortal life. I know what I do because of this book; I have felt what I have because of it. I know that the Book of Mormon was written for our day; it is for those of us straying. It is for those of us who need peace, to know that our Heavenly Father is there for us.

I love this book. I am so excited to be able to share it with families, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children of all kinds. Because we are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and you can continue to know this, and continue to grow toward your divine potential if you simply read this simple, wonderful book.

And as Moroni promises, if you pray with "real intent" with "full purpose of heart" and with faith and ask your Heavenly Father if these things are true, then you will know it for yourself (Moroni 10:3-5). I know it. I have felt it.

You should feel it, too, regardless of whether or not you are a member of the Church. Ask, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Be sure you ask, brothers and sisters. He's waiting for you!

I love y'all! Have a good week!

Godspeed!

Sincerely,

Sister Rose