“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
“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.” [1]
I have noticed a special power associated with the Book of Mormon. A quiet, yet convincing, witness of its truth is conveyed to those who delve into its pages with faith and a sincere intent.
Parley P. Pratt stated: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, while I read, and enlightened my mind, convinced my judgment, and riveted the truth upon my understanding, so that I knew that the book was true, just as well as a man knows the daylight from the dark night.” [2]
Paul teaches that, “the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” [3] The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is manifest to every sincere seeker by the power of the Holy Ghost. God will not allow our faith to go unrewarded. His promise to us is that “signs shall follow them that believe.” [4] These signs will serve as evidences of truth which confirm that our faith is not in vain.
Brigham Young experienced this marvelous blessing as he read the Book of Mormon: “I knew it was true, as well as I knew that I could see with my eyes, or feel by the touch of my fingers, or be sensible of the demonstration of any sense.” [5]
Moroni’s promise provides us an explicit procedure for gaining a testimony, not only of the Book of Mormon, but of all spiritual truth. The formula applies to those seeking a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and is also the process for hearing the voice of the Lord every time we read from its inspired pages.
We should ponder and pray with faith and real intent not only the first time we read the Book of Mormon and not only when we are seeking a spiritual witness of its truthfulness. We should ponder and pray every time we read it. Doing so will enable us to receive a greater testimony and a “more sure witness” from the Lord.
To ascertain truth in the spiritual realm we must ask God. “Ask, and it shall be given you,” [6] but “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” [7] If we will be humble and pray sincerely, with real intent, with faith in Christ, doubting nothing, He will manifest to us the truth we are seeking by the power of the Holy Ghost. He will tell us what we want to know. The Lord assures us a firm witness of the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.
“It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” [8]
Bill Wylson
[1] Moroni 10:3,4
[2] Journal of Discourses 5:194.
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:11.
[4] Mark 16:17.
[5] Journal of Discourses 3:91.
[6] Matthew 7:7.
[7] James 1:6.
[8] 1 John 5:6.
“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.” [1]
I have noticed a special power associated with the Book of Mormon. A quiet, yet convincing, witness of its truth is conveyed to those who delve into its pages with faith and a sincere intent.
Parley P. Pratt stated: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon me, while I read, and enlightened my mind, convinced my judgment, and riveted the truth upon my understanding, so that I knew that the book was true, just as well as a man knows the daylight from the dark night.” [2]
Paul teaches that, “the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” [3] The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is manifest to every sincere seeker by the power of the Holy Ghost. God will not allow our faith to go unrewarded. His promise to us is that “signs shall follow them that believe.” [4] These signs will serve as evidences of truth which confirm that our faith is not in vain.
Brigham Young experienced this marvelous blessing as he read the Book of Mormon: “I knew it was true, as well as I knew that I could see with my eyes, or feel by the touch of my fingers, or be sensible of the demonstration of any sense.” [5]
Moroni’s promise provides us an explicit procedure for gaining a testimony, not only of the Book of Mormon, but of all spiritual truth. The formula applies to those seeking a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and is also the process for hearing the voice of the Lord every time we read from its inspired pages.
We should ponder and pray with faith and real intent not only the first time we read the Book of Mormon and not only when we are seeking a spiritual witness of its truthfulness. We should ponder and pray every time we read it. Doing so will enable us to receive a greater testimony and a “more sure witness” from the Lord.
To ascertain truth in the spiritual realm we must ask God. “Ask, and it shall be given you,” [6] but “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” [7] If we will be humble and pray sincerely, with real intent, with faith in Christ, doubting nothing, He will manifest to us the truth we are seeking by the power of the Holy Ghost. He will tell us what we want to know. The Lord assures us a firm witness of the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.
“It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” [8]
Bill Wylson
[1] Moroni 10:3,4
[2] Journal of Discourses 5:194.
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:11.
[4] Mark 16:17.
[5] Journal of Discourses 3:91.
[6] Matthew 7:7.
[7] James 1:6.
[8] 1 John 5:6.
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