This blog comes from one of my former mission companion's blogs
The Hineman Factor by Elder Hineman. This is his story of how he came to know the Book of Mormon is true. It's a story that I've heard often from him but every time I have it brings the spirit in and is a testimony to me that Elder Hineman truly knows the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Check it out:
Who was George Herman Ruth Jr. ?
The Sultan of Swat. . .
The King of Crash. . .
The Colossus of Clout. . .
The Great Bambino !!!!
BABE RUTH !!!!!!!
Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player that ever lived. He started his career as a pitcher but ended it as a full time right fielder hitting 714 home runs. He was the face of baseball in the 1920's. Still today he is regarded as one of the greatest athletes period.
Each time Babe hit a home run, he would notch his bat. Needless to say, he had a lot of bats with a lot of notches! The only other baseball player in history to truly pass the Babe's long ball record was Hank Aaron in 1974.
When I was in my younger days, there was a challenge in my priest quorum. That challenge was that whoever could read the entire Book Of Mormon as a priest, would get a louisville slugger baseball bat with their name and favorite scripture on it. The bats were so sweet! I had played baseball most of my childhood so I knew exactly what they were. I wanted one so bad, and as I watched each of my close friends get theirs, my yearning for one increased.
So I decided one day that I was going to finish reading the Book Of Mormon before it was too late. I was stuck in the book of Alma for a while, but with effort and patience I made it through and continued reading until one Sunday in sacrament meeting I finally finished ! I couldn't believe it.
I was so excited to finally get that bat! But soon after I finished reading, I felt a different feeling come over me. I kept dwelling on the last few chapters I had read, the testimonies of Mormon and Moroni, and the promise that if I asked God with a sincere heart, I would know the book was true by the power of The Holy Ghost.
I already knew it was true. At least, I wanted it to be. I knew that it was the word of God and I knew that no man could have written a book like that unless he was inspired and instructed by God to do so. So I took up Moroni's challenge and decided to ask Heavenly Father.
I went out to the parking lot and got in my truck, hesitated for a little bit, but after I made up my mind what I was going to do I began to pray. I didn't get knocked to the ground, or struck by lightning. What I felt was a peaceful, burning feeling inside. As sweet assurance that I already knew the answer to my question. I knew The Book Of Mormon was true.
The next week in church I was handed my Louisville slugger, engraved with my name on it and my favorite scripture. It had a notch right near the label.
I don't remember hitting a lot of home runs when I played ball, but I remembered how it felt. It felt good, like I'd done something great. This felt the same, like I had accomplished something amazing.
The more and more I look back on the memory of finally achieving my goal, the more I begin to realize of what I really gained from it.
As awesome as my bat is, its just a piece of wood. It will hang on a wall or sit on a dresser somewhere someday where I can see it and reflect on what it means and what it took to get it. But the real prize was the testimony I gained from reading The Book Of Mormon. I know it is true and that it is the word of God. It is what it says it is right on the front cover: Another Testament Of Jesus Christ. I know this to be true, and I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet and instructed to translate ancient plates into what we know as The Book Of Mormon.
There are many ways to prove if the book is true or not, but it all comes down to the way that will truly testify for itself. Read it, and ask God. Out of any geological evidence, or theological thinking, this way will surely reveal the best answer. That of The Holy Ghost, which will bear witness to anyone who sincerely asks God in the name of Christ.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
- Moroni 10:4-5
Moroni's promise still stands true today, and always will.
I don't remember hitting a lot of home runs when I played ball, but I remembered how it felt. It felt good, like I'd done something great. This felt the same, like I had accomplished something amazing. 
Ezekiel 18:30 says we need to "(flip) turn ourselves from all our transgressions" In the Book of Mormon Ammon teaches us "if ye will (flip) turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage." Also Alma teaches us to "(flip) turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength" As we use the flip turn of repentance with all our mind, might, and strength we won't crash into the wall of sin. We will be able to quickly overcome it, push off of it, away from it, and move back down the swim lane of life. I know this is a key part of swimming and our lives. It's my prayer that we will use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repent to become a true gold medalist in the sight of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
