I am a Mormon, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I consider myself Christian because I accept that Jesus is my Savior and I am trying to be like Him.

I believe there are at least three ways that the atonement of Jesus Christ saves and heals us:

1. The atonement cleanses us from sin. I believe that through the grace of Jesus, “though [our] sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) I can also relate to the experience of the Book of Mormon prophet Enos, who after praying for peace and forgiveness felt his guilt “swept away” and knew that “God could not lie” (Enos 1:4-8.)

2. The atonement helps us to forgive. When David was offended by Nabal, Nabal’s wife came to David with a peace offering and asked David to forgive her, though she had done nothing wrong (1 Samuel 25.) Because Jesus forgives those who have wronged us, how can we withhold our forgiveness from them? Jesus makes a peace offering to us, though He did nothing wrong, so we can forgive others.

3. The atonement brings peace. Sometimes life is just hard, even when we haven’t done anything wrong. The atonement of Jesus Christ can heal our pains and sicknesses.

I recognize that my definition of Christianity isn’t the same as the popular definition that comes from the Nicene Creed.

My understanding of the nature of God comes from the account of Joseph Smith, who said he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a vision. They were separate Beings, with bodies of flesh and bone, and they spoke to Joseph personally. I believe that what Joseph said happened actually happened.

Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. I’ve read the Book of Mormon several times and because of the way I’ve felt as I read it, I believe it is a true book. Some of the most satisfying insights and truths in my life have come or been reinforced while reading the Book of Mormon.

I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord Jesus Christ’s church on the earth, and that He guides the church through prophets. The President of the Church is Gordon B. Hinckley and I believe he is a prophet, in the same sense that Moses was a prophet. I believe that he speaks for Jesus, so I consider what he says to be crucial.

I know these things are true because I feel the Holy Spirit in a peaceful way, assuring me that they are true.

(This testimony was first posted on my blog at richardkmiller.com.)