I was listening to a podcast about the incommensurability of Joseph Smith being able to describe what the translation process for the Book of Mormon was like.
Incommensurable is like indescribable, without relation to anything, unquantifiable.
Joseph Smith had many experiences, including the First Vision, that were incommensurable and therefore difficult for him to describe.
I’ve written 330+ posts at this point. In many of them, I’m trying to describe incommensurable things. I’m trying to describe my testimony. I’m trying to describe my experiences. I’m trying to describe a change that has happened inside me. I’m trying to describe things I know to be true. These things, without the reader feeling my emotions, my heart, my chest, my mind, without being in my skin, words can’t describe many of the things I try to write and share.
I wish I could hand the testimony I have of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for me into the heart of every person I ever meet, if only for a moment (I want it back!). But I can’t. I wish I could give to someone how I know the Book of Mormon is true. I’ve tried before. I can’t.
I wish I could describe so that you, the reader, could understand what I felt when I left the Bishop’s office and knew, just knew with all my heart, that Christ was going to forgive me for everything I had done. I wish I could describe the feeling that washed over me. I wish you could feel my tears. I wish you could feel that experience.
Many of you have in your own way. Some of you haven’t.
Tears come to my eyes just thinking back on some of these moments in my life.
Incommensurable.
I want to state something clearly, since I can’t use words to properly describe my testimony and knowledge of my Savior. Here are facts to review.
I have changed.
I am a father.
I am a different person than I was 5, 10, or 15 years ago. I am far, far, far from perfect. Embarassingly far from perfect. Shamefully far from perfect. I recognize that. But –
If you see anything good in me, it’s because of Jesus Christ.
If you think I have any admirable qualities, it’s because of Jesus Christ.
If you think I’m any sort of decent father, it’s because of Jesus Christ.
If you think I’m any sort of decent person, it’s because of Jesus Christ.
Everything good I am and everything good I can be is because of Him.
I am not a father without Him. I am not a son without Him. I am not a friend without Him.
Everything good I am, is because of Him.
For those that haven’t had revelatory experience of knowing that Christ is your Savior, and feeling what He has done for you, I invite you to sit and ponder all your mistakes. Ponder the pain you’ve caused others. Ponder all the bad. Realize He forgives you because He loves you. Then ponder all the good you’ve ever done. All the help you’ve ever provided. All the smiles you’ve caused. Consider all that is good about you, and thank Him. Whether you realize it or not, it’s because of Him.
No Coincidences 