A few weeks ago, the Church announced that there are now more than 75,000 full time missionaries serving all over the world. Many people may wonder why so many young people would give up some of the best years of their lives to go to a foreign place, live by some very strict rules, and speak to strangers all day long. 

They must have something that is really important to share, and they do--we do. But who would really want to take the word of a very young and not very wise 19 year old-- probably no one. This is why God has given us tangible evidence that the message that I (and the other 75,000+ missionaries) share with the world is true. 

This evidence is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the proof that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. The introduction to the Book of Mormon explains the purpose of the Book of Mormon, where it came from, and perhaps most importantly how we can find out for ourselves if it is true. It states "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)"

I have recently finished reading the Book of Mormon and begun reading it once again. I followed these simple steps. I read it, I pondered in my heart the message it contains, and I asked God in the name of Christ if the Book is true. I know that it is! The Book of Mormon is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ. So I would add my own personal invitation to everyone to read it and to find out for themselves if it is true. I know that everyone can! 

The final paragraph of the introduction says:

"Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah."

The Book of Mormon is for everyone. The first thing that we will come to know by reading pondering and praying about the Book of Mormon is that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. So if you have ever wondered or questioned or doubted that He is-- you can know, and the way that you can know is by reading the Book of Mormon and asking God if it is true! I know that every individual who sincerely reads and prays about the Book of Mormon with intentions to act on the answer they receive will come to know that it is true. And if the Book of Mormon is true than the man who translated it was a prophet of God and the church that he restored is "the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth". 

So I would encourage each of you who read this to read the Book of Mormon. There is no way to credit or discredit the work that 75,000 of us are now participating in without reading the Book of Mormon and finding out for oneself if it is really from God. 

If you have already read it, read it again. Never take it for granted. There is no book more powerful, nor any with such a great impact as the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has changed my life, and I know that it can change yours too. 

-Sister Ernenwein

p.s. The best part is the book is free-- and always better :)