C E

Just an LDS husband, dad, and grandpa trying his best to do the right thing. I select the quotes/statements and Grok does the pics.

[C E @Serf_45]

3. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

4. And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.

***

I love this scripture for a couple of reasons: it's easy to remember (1,2,3,4) and because it reminds me that sometimes we may have to leave what we think are comforts in order to follow God and Jesus Christ. We may be called to leave comfortable habits, thoughts, routines, etc., and journey into a private wilderness of new things. However, the reward in that wilderness is always worth it.

[C E @Serf_45]

14. And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

***

If we aren't careful, we can be led to the idea that God is vengeful, angry, cruel, capricious, and distant. Nothing could be further from the truth. Power, goodness, and mercy are for each of us! Because of this great mercy, we are offered salvation and happiness, redemption and peace- and all we need to do is come to Him and follow his commandments.

[C E @Serf_45]

@defense_of_fam Nope. It's a must. Day of rest and all. 😁

[C E @Serf_45]

Before we jump into the text & verses of The Book of Mormon this year on my socials, I wanted to take a moment and add my testimony to those whose are published in the intro pages. And to the testimonies of those who have read this powerful book across the years since 1830.

It is true. Every whit. The book is a record of ancient people here on the American continent. It adds to our understanding and testifies of Jesus Christ and affirms His role as Savior and Redeemer.

Joseph Smith translated this book by the gift and power of God, bringing it forward for our day. It was written for us! I know it is true, I know it contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know this because I have received my own witness. I love this book, and through it, feel my Savior’s love as well.

[C E @Serf_45]

“He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people..."

~Joseph Smith, Jr.
The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

When Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, they called Joseph by name. Again, as noted above, when the angel Moroni visited him, Joseph was called by name. He was known. Just as we are. We are known to God. We are each, personally, loved by Him.

[C E @Serf_45]

"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: ...the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and...we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness...for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety..."

~ Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hyrum Smith, & Samuel H. Smith

Testimony of Eight Witnesses 

In total, more than 11 other people either saw or handled the gold plated from which Joseph Smith translated The Book of Mormon.  None of those people have ever denied that testimony, despite several leaving The Church to varying degrees.  Those testimonies stand firm, just as bright today as they were on the days in which they were shown or felt those ancient records.

[C E @Serf_45]

OK, the date is wrong. Nearly 200 years. We have a few more to get to 200+.

[C E @Serf_45]

"...we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true."

~Oliver Cowdry, David Whitmer, & Martin Harris
Testimony of Three Witnesses

The Book of Mormon is true. The testimony of these three men adds their personal witness of its origin, power, and translation. These men and their testimonies have stood strong for over 200 years. To me, they are just as sure a witness as is my own.

[C E @Serf_45]

"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.)

~Introduction, The Book of Mormon

God loves us. He knows us personally. He has provided The Book of Mormon as an additional witness and has promised to answer our sincere and faithful prayer about its truth. It is a promise made to all who read it and earnestly, honestly, and sincerely- to ask Him in faith for a witness as to its truth. As we seek, indeed we will find.

[C E @Serf_45]

"Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations..."

~Title Page of The Book of Mormon

The entire purpose of The Book of Mormon is just that: to lead us to know that Jesus is the Christ.  Used with the Holy Bible to convice us as to the divinity of Jesus Christ.  To know that He desires all of humanity of all ages, times, places, and abilities to come unto Him, make covenants, and abide with Him and Heavenly Father forever.  God loves us so much, He will never stop reaching out to us by covenant to bind us to Him for eternity.

[C E @Serf_45]

@Monaangl_7m Good on you.

[C E @Serf_45]

On June 1st, 2025, I started something new on social media. I challenged myself to step back from the usual noise—stopping the replies, the daily rants, the political posts, and the constant back-and-forth. Instead, I wanted to focus on posting about family, the eternal nature of men and women, and our identity as children of a loving Heavenly Father. That was my starting point in June.

Soon, I began sharing meaningful quotes from Apostles, Prophets, and Church leaders—things that felt uplifting, hopeful, and full of Christ’s love. I kept it going because I genuinely enjoyed it. The more I read and studied, the more I discovered about God, Jesus Christ, and how deeply we are loved as His children. I started seeing how His plan is woven into everyday life, and I learned what I need to do better—and what I need to do more of. I’ve grown bit by bit, but I still have miles and miles to go.

One of the biggest surprises was how much I changed as a person. By stepping away from arguments and the need for likes or replies, I started seeing social media differently. I noticed how much pain, anger, rage-bait, and even bullying is out there. I saw things in friends and in the world that disappointed me, that made me evaluate things, made me think, and caused me some pain. And hope.

But I also started seeing more joy, more love, and more peace. I found more disciples of Jesus Christ—more givers, more witnesses of His love. My feed slowly changed as I entered new spaces and communities.

I’m still just posting, still watching, and still trying to share positivity and my testimony of Jesus Christ. I’m so grateful for this experiment. It’s changed my life in ways I didn’t expect, and it continues to do so.

Today, I want to renew my commitment: I’m going to keep using social media to share messages about Jesus Christ and His love for each of us. I’m still on a mission to change the algorithm—for myself, and hopefully for others who want the same.

For the next year, my plan is to post a Book of Mormon scripture every day, along with a short thought about why I chose it, what it means to me, and how it testifies of Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s love for us.

Here’s to 365 more days of growth. I’d love to have you along for the journey.

With love for each of you,

Clint

[C E @Serf_45]

The Family Proclamation

https://t.co/l9QWL1Kr25

[C E @Serf_45]

'The divine plan for us to become what we are destined to become requires us to make choices to reject the evil opposition that tempts mortals to act contrary to God’s commandments and His plan. It also requires that we be subject to other mortal opposition, such as from the sins of others or from some defects of birth. Sometimes our needed growth is achieved better by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility. And none of this mortal opposition could achieve its eternal purpose if divine intervention relieved us from all the adverse consequences of mortality."

~Dallin H. Oaks

[C E @Serf_45]

"I give thanks, my brothers and sisters, for all we have been given in this last and greatest of all dispensations, the dispensation of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The gifts and blessings that flow from that gospel mean everything to me—everything—so in an effort to thank my Father in Heaven for them, I have “promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” May we press forward with love in our hearts, walking in the “brightness of hope” that lights the path of holy anticipation we have been on now for 200 years. I testify that the future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been. We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence. I bear witness to all of these truths and so much more in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

~Jeffrey R. Holland

[C E @Serf_45]

"You and I have enough light to share right now. We can light the next step to help someone draw nearer to Jesus Christ, and then the next step, and the next.

Ask yourself, “Who needs the light you have to find the path they need but cannot see?”

My dear friends, why is shining our light so important? The Lord has told us that “there are many yet on the earth … who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.” We can help. We can intentionally shine our light so others may see."

~Bonnie H. Cordon

[C E @Serf_45]

"During the time between that marvelous beginning in the Garden of Eden and now, the adversary has been quite successful in his goal to divide men and women in his attempts to conquer our souls. Lucifer knows that if he can damage the unity men and women feel, if he can confuse us about our divine worth and covenant responsibilities, he will succeed in destroying families, which are the essential units of eternity."

~Jean B. Bingham

[C E @Serf_45]

"Because “God himself atoneth for the sins of the world,” the Lord’s Atonement can make whole not only what was but also what can be. Because He knows our pains, afflictions, sicknesses, our “temptations of every kind,” He can, with mercy, succor us according to our infirmities. Because God is “a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also,” the plan of mercy can “appease the demands of justice.” We repent and do all we can. He encircles us eternally “in the arms of his love.”

~Gerrit W. Gong

[C E @Serf_45]

"Jesus Christ is the Master Physician. Through His Atonement, He binds up our wounds, takes upon Himself our infirmities, and heals our broken hearts. Through His grace our weakness can become strong. He invites us to follow Him by learning of Him, listening to His words, and walking in the meekness of His Spirit. He has promised to help us in this lifelong process of conversion, which transforms us and brings everlasting joy."

~Benjamin M.Z. Tai

[C E @Serf_45]

"What does it take for you to be drawn to the Savior? Consider Jesus Christ’s submission to His Father’s will, His victory over death, His taking upon Himself your sins and mistakes, His receiving power from the Father to make intercession for you, and His ultimate redemption of you. Are these things not sufficient to draw you to Him? They are for me. Jesus Christ “stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify [you and me].”

These truths should give us a new heart and prompt us to choose to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Yet even new hearts may be “prone to wander, … prone to leave the God [we] love.” To fight this tendency, we need to reflect every day on the gifts we have received and on what they entailed."

~Dale G. Renlund