Happy Birthday, Emma!

Today is Emma Smith's birthday.  The writer of a blog I follow challenged her readers to share their testimonies of the Book of Mormon today in Emma's honor.  She sacrificed so much to bring this book of scripture forth and I am very grateful for this.  The full title of this book is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  That is exactly what it is.  Some of my favorite scriptures about the Savior are in this book.
One of these is Helaman 5:12: "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  It gives me peace to know that if I try to follow Jesus Christ and build my life around what he taught I will be able to return to live with my Heavenly Father.  
My favorite part of the Book of Mormon is when Jesus came here to America to visit the Nephites and Lamanites after his death and resurrection.  They had just endured terrible storms and earthquakes.  They had gathered together at the temple and were talking about what had happened when they heard a voice.  They did not understand at first, but the third time they heard the voice they understood Heavenly Father as he introduced his Son.  Then the Savior descended.  He told them who he was and what he done for them.  The multitude fell at his feet and worshiped him.  Then he invited them, one by one, to come and touch his hands and feet and the wound in his side so that they would know it was really him.  The Savior stayed with them for several days and taught the gospel to them.  
I love the Book of Mormon.  I know that it truly is scripture given through the people who lived here in America anciently.  In the Book of Mormon we are promised that if we will read it and pray to ask Heavenly Father if it is true, our prayers will be answered and we will know that it is a true book.  I have done just that and I know that it is true.  The prophets who wrote the Book of Mormon saw our day and wrote what they thought we would need.  As I read this book, I find the answers to my questions and I gain the strength I need to do what is right.  Thank you, Emma and Joseph, for your sacrifice!