Why I know. . .

That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true!

Years ago my mission president something interesting:

“Either the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is truly the kingdom of god on the earth... or it is the greatest fraud ever in history “

It is audacious to claim to be the true Church of Jesus Christ—but let me explain exactly why I know that to be true.

I always BELIEVED that I was raised in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My parents taught me well and I felt good following the commandments and studying the scriptures. That led me to serve a mission in Brazil.

My turning point of testimony came when I was 20–at least 2/3rds through my mission.

We were invited into a house in the “fundos” of a property—a small structure built behind a larger house. The man was polite and allowed us to share our message.

As I had done hundreds of times, I shared the story of Joseph Smith, a boy who sought the truth through prayer.

I recited Joseph’s own words in response to his prayer:

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I felt the strongest feeling I had ever experienced—an undeniable confirmation that what I said was true. It hit me in a way I can never forget! I knew that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet, and therefore the Book of Mormon was the word of god.

What about the man were teaching? How had he responded to my life-affirming spiritual experience? He shrugged and politely thanked us for the message.

I was stunned. I felt like the windows of heaven opened on me—and he felt nothing. I learned that receiving answers to our prayers is like tuning a radio: not everyone is on the right frequency.

For some reason, the Lord decided to broadcast on my frequency that day. I received the undeniable confirmation that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

I have built on that foundation brick by brick since then. And every time someone has challenged me on Joseph Smith, I go back to that day in Brazil. I know that he was a prophet.

My life has been blessed in ridiculously good ways since then. As I have tried to follow Jesus Christ, great things have happened to be. Even my hardest and most frustrating times have turned out to have a purpose. God has upturned my best laid plans over and over. But I look back and realize that I could never have planned any better.

With the prophet Nephi I say

“I know that [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." (1 Nephi 11:17)

When I say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, that does not mean we have a monopoly on truth. I know Christians and Muslims who teach me to be better—and Mormons who are far from disciples of Christ.

We just have more truth: scriptures, living prophets, ordinances, personal revelation, and answers to many of life’s biggest questions!

That is pretty cool.

So, I am all in. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true—not a big fraud. And we are all trying to get closer to Christ.

Come and see.