There is a living God, Jesus Christ was and is His literal Son, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is Christ’s church. I received this testimony by studying the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, practicing the teachings found therein, fasting, and sincerely praying to know the truth. I have witnessed first-hand dozens of others gain a testimony by following these simple steps and echo the promises made by prophets throughout the ages, that all who study the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, practice the teachings therein, fast and pray to know the truth with sincerity of heart will receive the same witness.
I was born a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, for a while, believed because of my parents’ teachings. As a teenager I became more serious about life and the prospects of serving as a missionary. In good conscience I could not declare The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the only true church on the earth unless I knew it for myself. I focused my study on the Book of Mormon and prayed sincerely to have a witness from God if the Book of Mormon and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were true. Several times during those few months I fasted and, finally, the answer came as a calm, but strong, reassuring feeling that I could not deny. Since that time I have received many answers to prayers and witnessed many miracles performed in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of His priesthood. In addition, I have seen miracles in the lives of others through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ and the administration of His priesthood. Miracles abound among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just as they were recorded during our Savior’s mortal ministry. They are not publicly broadcast because they are sacred gifts from God to those who have faith and are willing to accept His will.
As a doctoral student at the University of Illinois at Urbana, I met professors who held the view that religion was for those of weak minds. Their opinion was that religion was a crutch used by people with little understanding of science. I pondered those ideas in light of my personal experiences and concluded that such arrogance was not becoming a true scientist. A true scientist would search for the truth regardless where the search may lead. A true scientist would acknowledge that there are discoveries yet to be made and would have an open and inquiring mind. Just as foolish people of centuries past denied the existence of bacteria they could not see with their naked eye, foolish people today deny the existence of a God they cannot capture within their limited grasp. As a microscope can reveal the existence of bacteria, faith and prayer can reveal the existence of a supreme being. Yet many today, as in times of old, deny the power of things they cannot see and do not understand. I concluded that the truly wise scientist readily accepts the existence of a God and acknowledges that no necessary conflict exists between science and true religion. To reject a supreme being is the pinnacle of arrogance.
In summary, I know that God, our Heavenly Father, created this earth through His Son, Jesus Christ. He has a marvelous plan for us, his children, to return to Him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s church, restored to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. It is the only true church on the earth with the power of the holy priesthood. The same organization, faith, and miracles exist in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as existed in the church Christ established two thousand years ago. The Book of Mormon is a book of scripture recorded by prophets to teach us of our Savior and to invite all to come unto Christ. I add my invitation to all who read this testimony to read the Book of Mormon and sincerely pray to know if it is true, and I leave my promise, in the name of Jesus Christ, that the truth of this book will be manifest by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Posted June 2010 on FairMormon.org
Stanley Earl Jenne, Ph.D., CPA, CFE, was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, the son of a zoology professor and the second of eight children. He has been married thirty-six years, and has four children and six grandchildren. His hobbies and interests include photography, snow skiing, and fishing. Professor Jenne received a Ph.D. in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana (1982) after earning an M.S. from Colorado State University (1977) and a B.S. from Weber State University (1976). He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Currently he is employed as a professor of accounting at Utah Valley University, where he previously held the position of Dean of the Woodbury School of Business. Professor Jenne has held tenured faculty positions and served a term as department chair at each of the following universities: The University of Montana, Illinois State University, and Weber State University. His research has been published in many respected accounting journals including the Journal of Accounting Literature, Accounting Horizons, Issues in Accounting Education, Journal of Accountancy, Internal Auditor, National Public Accountant, and The Practicing CPA. His accounting experience includes independent auditing with Grant Thornton as a faculty fellow, internal auditing at the Internal Revenue Service, and private consulting. Professor Jenne was one of the organizers of a community bank in Montana, where he continues to serve as a member of the board of directors and chair of the audit committee.