My recent scripture reading has been in 3 Nephi.  This morning as I was reading about Christ's ministry to the Book of Mormon people I thought about some that question whether or not He actually did appear to them, or even if He lived at all and was who He said that He was.  I examined my testimony of those things.  I realize that my testimony is not necessarily about Him as an historical figure.  I certainly do accept that in all of its restored latter-day truth, but my testimony of Him is really a result of personal manifestation that I have been blessed with.  The peace and comfort He promises I have most certainly felt throughout my life.  But even more, I know that I have been touched by his love and received His forgiveness and mentoring and influence enough so that I can not, and do not doubt.  I know that as I have stumbled on throughout my life that I have been in crucial need of being washed clean and forgiven and He has done that for me.  I could not stand before Him now and feel the hope that I feel for my (our) future without that having happened many times in my life.  I, indeed, have been and at times still am a 'wretch', but this 'wretch' feels hopeful and has promises that are the result of that powerful influence from my Savior that have been and still are much a part of me and my life.  I could not look to my future the way that I do without His blessings to me in my past.  That is my testimony.  Not only is he real and lives;  He lives for and in me and has helped change me to whatever good that I am. I hesitate to use the words 'sanctified' and 'perfected' but to any extent that they apply to me it is because of Him.  And for that I am daily and continually grateful.