Over the past five years, I have been led on a journey which
took me totally by surprise. This
journey strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon more than anything else
in the world. I have read and studied this book from cover to cover countless
times from 1981 to present day, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that it
is another testament of Jesus Christ. What took me a step further in my
testimony was the journey as to where the Book of Mormon lands are
located.
Why is this so important to know where the Book of Mormon
lands are located? Why should I even waste my time? The answer lies within the book itself.
From Nephi speaking in the book of 2 Nephi in the Book of
Mormon chapter 10, verse 10 and 11 he says: “But behold, this land said God
shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon
the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles and there
shall be no kings upon the land who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.”
From the Brother of Jared in Ether chapter 2 verse 9 and 12
says “(9)And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it
is a land of promise…(12)Behold, this is a choice land and whatsoever nation
shall posses it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, from all other
nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land who is Jesus
Christ who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.”
From 3rd Nephi chapter 20 verse 22 it says:
“…this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the
covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem.
And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of these people; yea, even I
will be in the midst of you.”
I can go on with many more prophesies and scripture about
this Land of Promise. So where is it? How are we, who believe in the Book of
Mormon, able to follow this command of “serve the God of the land” if we don’t even
know where it is? It’s important for us
to know so we can protect it and be free from bondage and captivity.
The Heartland Research Group has spent years researching and
sharing the information of the Promise Land. There are incredible amounts of
physical evidence all over the United States of the early people of this
country called the Hopewell people and how they were the decedents of Lehi and
his family. Much of it is explained very
well on this website. This is the
covenant land promised by God. This is the Promised Land which we are enjoying
the freedoms and prosperity and as a people we need to pay attention to what
God wants us to do in His land.
Ezra Taft Benson once said, “The promises of security,
prosperity and freedom are directly connected to the chosen land by divine
decree and secured by worship and faith in Jesus Christ.” We are those people
who will secure the land by worship and faith in Jesus Christ.
The path I am following has deepened my love for the Book of
Mormon and love for the United States as well. I’ll be following along this path of the Book of Mormon lands
in Iowa, Ohio, Clay County, Missouri and more and I invite you to come along
with me. I add my testimony to the many who know the same as Joseph Smith. That “The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our (The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Church) religion, and a man would get
nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than any other book.” Not only do I have a testimony of the
spiritual significance in our lives of the Book of Mormon but also the physical
significance of the places of the The Book of Mormon in this promised land of
the United States of America.
For more information see: Finding Zarahemla
No comments:
Post a Comment