Life Responsibly

Reading the Book of Mormon has brought me closer to Christ and to my own Catholic faith. I have said it many times before, and I will continue to say it — because it is the truth. The past four months, this project has helped me to realize that one’s proximity to Christ is best measured by how you treat those whom you would consider “other.” It’s not about the doctrine you can recite or your understanding of Church history. No, it’s about whether you have lived up to the commandments: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Truly, the whole law and the prophets depend on these. The wonderful conversations that I have had and the spiritual family that I have found (which includes Catholics, Latter-day Saints and Protestants alike) have been a source of strength and inspiration during some very trying times. And, yes, I do consider them all members of my spiritual family. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ as Christ Himself proclaimed “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matt 12:48) Regardless of the fact that the Book of Mormon is not a part of the Catholic canon, it contains deep truths, a powerful narrative, and truly points to Christ and His Gospel. I do not know if it is archeologically true. I honestly don’t care. There are far deeper truths than that which can be unearthed with a spade. Anyone who knows the first thing about the Bible should know this — especially anyone who is historically literate and has read even the opening of Judith. So, yes, I will gladly stand before any tribunal and speak the truth as I have experienced it — and that truth is that the Book of Mormon has brought me closer to Christ.