Harry Potter and the Individual Testimony

It's very possible (likely, even) that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is my favorite book of the series. Why? Cause I'm weird. It all starts coming together: the mysteries behind Voldemort's seeming immortality is explained, details that seemed weird and even unimportant from previous books suddenly are tied in to the bigger picture, the Horcruxes are introduced, things really start to go down, and it ends on kind of a downer (that's why I'm weird, I like that part... much like the end of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back). Dumbledore is dead, Snape is a traitor, Harry breaks up with Ginny, Hogwarts and the Ministry (though that was earlier) have been taken over by Voldemort and his goons, and Harry has to leave Hogwarts a year early to start hunting down Horcruxes and save... well, the world.
As for a brief rundown of the plot: Harry is back in the public eye, and things are getting pretty dang crazy. Cornelius Fudge was sacked as Minister of Magic because of his lack of action at the warnings of Voldemort's return (he claimed Harry was making up stories and it wasn't true). Now, Rufus Scrimgeour is the new Minister, and Voldemort and his Death Eaters have no problem making their presence known, as it's already out in the open. Destruction and chaos have gotten of hold of not only Wizarding England, but Muggle England as well. Harry is taken on a trip with Dumbledore shortly before school begins to find a Horace Slughorn, former potions master. Horace is enticed by Harry, being quite fond of getting in with well-known, high-ranking people, and agrees to return to Hogwarts... to once again be potions master. This means that Snape gets to finally get his dream position of professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Snape's had a busy summer as well, making an unbreakable vow with Narcissa Malfoy, Draco Malfoy's mother, that he would do everything he could to help Draco with whatever task Voldemort had assigned him.
Harry returns to school and finds himself able to continue with potions due to Professor Slughorn's less strict requirements. He borrows a used book, which has lots of notes in the margin that help Harry not only do much better at Potions than usual, but actually excel in the class. The year seems pretty typical, except for one extra "class" Harry has: he meets with Dumbledore and, through his Pensieve, and using memories that he's collected, they're able to see some of Tom Riddle's history. Harry is able to get an untampered memory from Professor Slughorn which solidifies Dumbledore's guess that Voldemort has been using Horcruxes, a very dark magic where one rips their soul, and places it in an object, allowing them to survive even after death. They have enough evidence to know several key points: He made 7, they've destroyed 2, and Tom would use artifacts from the founders of Hogwarts. Dumbledore was able to locate one, and they take off to get it. The protection that Dumbledore has to go through to get it leaves him very weakened, and when they return to Hogwarts and find it overrun with Death Eaters, things don't look good. Upon landing in one of the towers, Dumbledore quickly stuns Harry, making it impossible for him to move. Out of sight, Harry can only listen and watch as Draco comes to try and kill Dumbledore. When he realizes he can't do it, Snape suddenly barges in and kills him. Harry is now free, because a spell can't continue once the caster is dead. He chases after Snape and tries to get revenge, but to no avail. Harry is now without Dumbledore, his mentor and greatest form of protection, and he now has to go out and accomplish what Dumbledore had started, with little knowledge of what to do, little idea of where to go, and little preparation for what he was going to face.
Harry had relied on Dumbledore these past 5 years for just about everything. He felt comfortable and safe with Dumbledore around, and knew that nothing bad could happen to him. He learned a lot from him, and discovered things about himself, his family, his past, present, and future. Dumbledore was his guiding light; but after that night, Harry was alone. Harry never considered the event of Dumbledore's death, or what that would mean. He always assumed he'd be there to help him. But the end came for him, and Harry was left to face this great adventure without him. Now, he could no longer rely on Dumbledore, he had to do it all on his own.  
As we grow up, we lean a lot on our parents and leaders for lots of things. We gain opinions and tastes, likes and dislikes, morals and beliefs from the people who raise us. This is common, it's hard for a young child to make a well formed view of a serious issue. So, they simply take from their parents or their teachers of their church leaders those things. The same is true of a testimony. We often see small children go and bare their testimony: "I know the church is true, I love my mom and dad, I know Heavenly Father loves me, name of Jesus Christ amen." Classic. But, their testimony is simply an appendage of their parents'. They know the church is true cause mom and dad do, and they told them so. Because their Bishop does, and he told them so. Because their Primary teachers do, and they told them so. They don't truly have their own testimony. They don't have a rock solid foundation. They can't, they're simply too young. It's when we grow up and start to learn things for ourselves that we can come to certain important conclusions. At some point everyone, everyone, must decide for themselves if this church is true. Everyone from you to President Monson. We need to read the Book of Mormon and pray, to truly and sincerely ask if it is true, and the Lord will tell us. It's only when He tells us that we will truly know that it is true. We're just like Harry: eventually, we're expected to do things on our own. We can't just ride on the coattails of others, we need to be able to stand on our own. Just as Harry took on Voldemort and his army, even without Dumbledore, we can all take on Satan and his army, even on our own. As we develop and strengthen our individual testimonies, and nourish the seed (Alma 32), we'll be able to face whatever opposition comes our way.

More Than Meets the Eye

So, what are Transformers? Well, if you're a child of the '80s or '90s, you're going to have a different answer than if you work for the Electric Company. And, if you're a child of the '80s, Electric Company is going to have a different meaning, also. Well, for the truly knowledgeable, a transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors- the transformer's coil. But, of course, you know me and that I'm a nerd, and will obviously be talking about another kind of Transformer... The robot in disguise kind. I about kicked myself the other day when I realized that I have not written a blog about Transformers... and as far as I know, neither has anyone else, so I had to write this ASAP to make sure I get it done first. Go me! So, we all know the classic line explaining Transformers: "Transformers, more than meets the eye." When people look and see a big ol' semi-truck, or a regular car, or an airplane, or whatever they may be, they don't think anything of it. Same old stuff, nothing weird about it. It's when that airplane suddenly turns into a giant robot and attacks that semi-truck, then that truck is suddenly standing 40 feet tall and fighting back that you realize something is a little off here... The joys of Transformers. From their cools names (Optimus Prime, Megatron, Star Scream) to the cool noises they make when they transform, you can't ask for much more. Drive around in a sweet car that transforms at will into a robot to fight other robots and defend you? Um, yeah, pretty much the American dream, right there!
Well, the main thing that Transformers are known for is their nonchalant appearance. Most people don't even expect much of them in their vehicle form, until they're fighting and protecting them. The same can be said of us as members of the church. We're just like everyone else: we go to school, work, concerts, movies, we hang out with friends, we do everything normal. But, there's so much more to us than meets the eye! We are members of Christ's true church, and have the fullness of the Gospel. We are aware of what is truth, and live a higher standard of living because we're given specific commandments, and have prophets to guide us to know how we should dress, act, talk, what we should and should not do and partake of, and how we should present ourselves to others. While that guy may seem like a typical, run-of-the-mill Joe, he's really a disciple of Jesus Christ, and will stand firm in his convictions. We need to be examples, candles, lights to the world. We don't have to sequester ourselves, or be awkward about anything. We can still be normal people, and do things that everyone else does. It's when those around us start doing things that we know to be wrong that we need to draw the line. Be an example of the believer "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). The best way we can help those around us is to be an example. If we live the commandments, and stay true to our testimony, we can rub off on all those around us. We may appear to be just regular vehicles (metaphor), but really, there's more to us than meets the eye. We're actually giant robots who defend the human race! (Again, a metaphor).

Practice Makes Perfect

Each and everyday, we learn more and more. If we don't, it was kind of a waste of a day. Think about your main hobby or skill. Odds are, you're probably pretty good at it. And why is that? Because you practice. Now, think back to the first day you ever tried that: the first time you picked up your instrument, or sat down with some crayons and a piece of paper, or the first time you tried kicking a ball. You probably weren't very good, were you? I remember the first time I picked up a bass. I didn't know how to tune it, how to hold it, what the strings were, or anything... Flash forward about 10 years, I'm pretty good. The first time we come into contact with something that requires talent or any effort whatsoever, we're not going to instantly be champions. I'm sure Shaun White wasn't throwing down 1260 McTwists his first day, just like Clapton was shredding when he first grabbed a guitar, or Clint Dempsey rocking the field when he first started soccer. The point is, we all need to go through a learning process before we can reach our desired level.
The same can be said about the Gospel: You're not going to get everything all at once. You can't just assume to pick up the Book of Mormon, read it all, go to Church, and in a week be a scriptorian and know all the ins and outs of the Church, its history, and doctrines. That's just not going to happen. Understanding, comprehension, and testimony come over time, but they come as you exert effort. As you do the things you need to do, these things will come. It's good to read the Book of Mormon and go to Church, just realize that it's not going to be an instantaneous thing. All things come with time, and, as we've all heard, practice makes perfect. And no one is at the epitome, probably not even the Prophet. He still needs guidance from the Lord to help him, so why should we think that we're anywhere near the top? Everyone needs to keep growing and learning, and need to work hard to do so. As we exercise our spiritual muscles, they grow and become stronger. So let's keep pushing along, practicing our religion, and growing in strength, knowledge, and testimony! Practice, practice, practice!

Testimony

In John chapter 4, we read of an experience Jesus had with a woman of Samaria. He meets her at the well, and asks her for a drink. She then questions why He, a Jew, would ask a Samaritan for a drink, when Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. He then explains of living water, water that He has that if she would partake, she would never thirst again. She misunderstands the metaphor, and wants actual water that will forever quench her thirst. She then comes to the realization that He is no ordinary man, first claiming Him a prophet, then realizing his full divinity as the Messiah. She goes and spreads the word, and many people hear her words and come to see for themselves. Verses 41 and 42 read: "And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." It was after they had seen for themselves, witnessed the Man Himself, that they knew who He was. They had to learn it, to experience it, rather than just rely on the words of others. The woman gave them reason to believe, but it was interactions with Christ that made them truly believe, and know who He was.

This is what we do. We aren't out here to convince anyone, or to make them believe what we say. We give people a reason to believe, and a desire to know, and then it's up to them. They have to go straight to the source: Just as the people of Samaria knew it was the Messiah when they heard His words, people of Montana (or wherever you may be serving) can know the truthfulness of our message by hearing and reading the Word in the Book of Mormon. We can testify until we're blue in the face, but that's not what is going to convert them. My testimony is my own. I can't loan it to someone, and someone else can't take it for their own; they need to develop their testimony just as I have, and as countless others before me have: Through studying the scriptures and praying to know if it's true. It is through the Holy Ghost that people will know truth. "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." (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). We invite all to come and see. We give them a reason to believe, and the Lord makes them believe. That's why we're here, that's what we do. Our words aren't enough. The Spirit is.

A Special Witness of the Book of Mormon

Elder Holland is one of my favorite speakers. He is so passionate, wise, and just plain amazing. This talk he gives on the Book of Mormon gets me every time. He is so sure of its truth and divinity. I am too. It's when I see men like this, intelligent, well spoken men bear such strong testimony, that it must be true. There are people that you can just listen to as they talk about these things, expound the scripture, and assure you they know it's true, and it must be true. There's just no way men like them could be duped, tricked, or scammed. This is real; I know it is. I've tried it for myself. I've prayed, I've fasted, I've asked my Heavenly Father "with a sincere heart, will real intent, having faith in Christ". Because of this, I know it is true, and I will tell that to anyone. I will not ever waver on this. I will never doubt. I have made my decision, and I'm sticking to it, come whatever forces of evil may try to tear me down, make me flinch, or chip away. I have built my foundation on the Lord, and He is a rock. The Book of Mormon is scripture; it is the word of God; it is true, and I defy any man to listen to watch this video and still think that a man such as this, who has been ordained an Apostle, a special witness of Christ, is deceived.

The Prophet of the Restoration

I was going to post a video of Joseph Smith's story, and how he was called to restore the Gospel, and be the Prophet of this dispensation, but it wasn't working, so I'd just like to bear my testimony on the Restoration:
It seems hard to accept, at first, hearing the story of a young boy praying in a grove of trees, and being visited by God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, especially when you're pretty convinced there is no God. But, through reading, pondering, and praying, I found out that that really did happen. When Joseph Smith was just a boy, he was confused by the war of religions going on around him. He saw how many different sects there were, and was confused by that. He wondered which of these churches was true. There had to be one true church, because as it says in Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism", and he wanted to be part of that one. After talking with the local ministers and weighing everything, he was leaning towards the Methodists, but every time he came close to choosing one, another minister would come and convince him otherwise. Finally, one night, while reading the scriptures, he came across James 1:5 which reads "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He took the advice laid out in that scripture, and approached his Heavenly Father in earnest prayer, seeking truth and knowledge. And truth and knowledge he got. He was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and they told him, in answer to his question, that none of the churches were true; that they drew near to Him with their mouths, but there hearts were far from Him. He was then informed that he would be responsible for restoring the fullness of the gospel, and ushering in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, the final dispensation before the Second Coming.
I know this is true. I am sure of it. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, the Prophet of this Dispensation. I know that through his work, and through the Power of God, we have the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which is divine and inspired writings that testify of Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church, the one true Church on the earth today, and that Jesus Christ is the head of it. I know we are guided and led by Prophets and Apostles who are called of God and receive revelation from God to help us in these trying times. I am so thankful for these men, for Joseph Smith, and am eternally grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his Atoning sacrifice. I am thankful for my testimony, and my knowledge of the truthfulness of this Gospel. We are in the Latter-days, the last days as prophesied by prophets of old, and the fact that we have a prophet, just as in biblical times, is so reassuring, and has blessed my life immensely. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that Christ's church has been restored again to the earth, by him.