Why We Write

When we came to the startling realization that we must be redeemed from the fall in this lifetime D&C 132:21-25, we began to call upon the Lord.  We saw our need to hearken unto the voice of the Lord, lest the summer pass, the harvest end, and our souls be not saved D&C 45:2.  Neither of us have a rebellious disposition and lived what we thought was a good life. Yet, when we look at what it takes to be redeemed from the fall Ether 3:13, it is obvious we fall short.

We put our complete trust in these words: “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;” D&C 93:1

Our vision is becoming clearer, but we still lack essential knowledge.  God has given us many evidences, and we continually look for messengers from Father to teach us. 

We make this record for our posterity, friends, family, and others who seek the face of God.  Even though we each experience unique challenges designed to purify our souls, we share a lot in common. We are encouraged as we read the accounts of those who have the testimony of Jesus and have heard his voice testify they are clean before Him. Enos 1:5-8  

It is our desire to receive the testimony of Jesus and be able to say, “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father” D&C 76:22-23 

We are a Mormon family, and we intend to stay a Mormon family.  We can see the hypocrisy, error, and apostasy among us, but we do not plan to abandon the Church. We love the Mormons.  They are our family; they are our friends.  Like most Christians, they seek to live good and honorable lives. 

We are grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for preserving and printing the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We are also grateful for the Bible, which has come to us through the sacrifice of many. We will be judged out of the records, which are kept on the earth, and the record, which is kept in heaven D&C 129:6-8.

At times it can be frustrating, confusing, and very troublesome when we discover teachings and traditions promoted in the current Church to be false, incomplete, or lacking.  These are my traditions; these are my errors. Sorting out the truth of God is my responsibility. I can turn away and blame the organization for my abominations and sins, or I can prayerfully examine our mistakes and repent.

As we continue to plead and beg for forgiveness, God unveils our false notions.  Sorting through the hypocrisy and history is an important part of our spiritual growth.  To throw the baby out with the bathwater would bring a heartbreaking outcome.

As we move forward, it is helpful to look back and see where we’ve been.

Our understanding is increased as we search the scriptures and seek to explain our thoughts and impressions. Making this record enlarges our memory and assists us in seeing the error of our ways. The records of prophets preserve the truth among a people who are apt to promote the philosophies of men.

“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.” Alma 37:7-8 

So we make a record. As God calls us to repentance, we write our thoughts and experiences.  We struggle, we laugh, and we cry.  We’ve experienced challenges and failures in almost every area of our life, yet we trust we can be made clean through the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

It is our prayer that like Nephi we may say, “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”  2 Nephi 25:26