Nephi ends his report concerning the magnificent vision granted him through his prayer of faith by bearing testimony of its truth. Likewise, when we record our personal histories, with reference to the blessings bestowed upon us by a loving and merciful Lord, should we not also add the words of confirming witness that we know our report about the blessings of God unto His children to be true? Should we not expressly bear witness to our families and our posterity that our record is in accordance with the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
“The Things Which I Have Written Are True - Concluding Thoughts”
How glorious was the vision granted to Nephi (1 Nephi 11–14)—to behold the divine plan of happiness as it unfolded for the blessing of God’s children in all dispensations of time. Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration, was the instrument through whom the Lord blessed mankind with the vast spiritual wealth contained in the Book of Mormon—plus the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the inspired translation of the Bible. The process of scriptural restoration was characterized by the Lord in this magnificent phrase: “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect” (D&C 35:20). Indeed, the sanctuary for the word of the Lord is no less than the bosom of the Lord Himself, and it is from this holy and perfect source that all scripture flows to mankind.
Think of the process of conversion and sanctification—what King Benjamin’s followers were to experience as “a mighty change” (Mosiah 5:2). What is this process if it is not to take into one’s own bosom that which has come directly from the bosom of the Lord—even His word, conveyed by the Spirit of truth—and then to allow this light to burn within as the power of faith unto repentance and righteous action? By taking this manifestation of truth into our bosom, we can personally experience the mighty change that will carry us forward toward the tree of life where the love of God is granted in its fulness to the obedient and faithful travelers on the pathway of salvation.