Basic Beliefs of Mormons

There is a scripture toward the tail end of the Book of Mormon in the Book of Mormon (yes, I know that's confusing,) that has always given me great hope. The prophet Mormon, who is the one who abridged all the plates of the history of his people were written on, wrote something at the tail end of his own book:

Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been (Mormon 9:31.)

A prophet such as Mormon, as great as he was, recognized his own failings, such as they were, and asked us to look past his imperfections and recognize the truths written within these pages.

Even Nephi, also a prophet of God, cried unto the Father:

. . . O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have a trusted. (2 Nephi 4:17-19)

I am certain Nephi's worst sins were thoughts he had of his brothers as they attempted to kill him over and over and over. Nephi and Mormon were both great men of God, devoted prophets of the Lord, and surely their behaviors were above reproach. But still Mormon begs us "not to condemn him for his imperfections."

Within the pages of the Book of Mormon are the plain and precious truths withheld from the Bible. Together they will present you with the complete gospel, of this there is no question. But to me these scriptures tell me not to be so hard on myself about my own imperfections. Do I strive for perfection? Yes. Do I stumble and fall on occasion? Oh yeah. But I am reminded none of us, except the Savior, achieved perfection in this lifetime. So I'm going to keep trying, keeping working and keep striving for that ultimate goal: To be with my Savior and Father once again.