I would say the test is in the mind and the heart. I have always been taught to study, ponder, and come to a decision, and then to pray for confirmation.
So, now, tell me what do you mean by “the personal witness of the Holy Ghost”?
I think you would find as many different answers to that question as there are Mormons. When it happens, you know.
And how is this to be distinguished from what was experienced by so many members of other denominations . . . ?
I have no doubt that God answers the prayers of all those who seek him in faith. Hence, if one asks to know by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Savior, God will answer.
. . . other denominations which Smith considered so much rubbish that he thought far more highly of Mohammed?
I don't recall reading that Joseph Smith ever described the other Christian churches as "rubbish," even though he considered the post-Biblical creeds abominable. He once said,
If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I shall lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them that my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way. Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation he revealed? So do I. Christians should cease wrangling and contending with each other, and cultivate the principles of union and friendship . . . . (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 313-314).
Although I am sure that Joseph Smith wanted to save Muslims, I do not know how he regarded Mohammed. Since Joseph Smith's time, various leaders of the Church have expressed the opinion that God used Mohammed to accomplish his purposes.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Muhammad was an inspired teacher raised up by God to teach His word. The Book of Mormon teaches: 'For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore, we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true' (Alma 29:8). In a letter written on February 15, 1978, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declared: “Based upon ancient and modern revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from common mortal progenitors but also as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father. The great religious leaders of the world such as Muhammad, Confucius, and the Reformers...received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.... Consistent with these truths, we believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come... Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father.”[1]
LDS Apostle George Q. Cannon stated: “I believe myself that Mahomed, whom the Christians deride and call a false prophet and stigmatize with a great many epithets --I believe that he was a man raised up by the Almighty, and inspired to a certain extent by Him to effect the reforms which he did in his land, and in the nations surrounding. He attacked idolatry, and restored the great and crowning idea that there is but one God. He taught that idea to his people, and reclaimed them from polytheism and from the heathenish practices into which they had fallen. I believe many men were inspired who lived after him and before him, who, nevertheless, did not have the Holy Priesthood, but were led by the Spirit of God to strive for a better condition of affairs and to live a purer and higher life than those by whom they were surrounded were living. But while this was the case, it was the Spirit of God that did it.”[2] Latter-day Saints accept all truth, wherever it may be found, as part of our religion -- whether in the Quran or in other good books.
>> I would say the test is in the mind and the heart. I have always been taught to study, ponder, and come to a decision, and then to pray for confirmation. <<
OK. But Mormonism seems to say, “suspend all credulity and reason and just take our word for it.” It seems more prepostrous than any other religions I’ve ever come across, except Scientology.
>> I think you would find as many different answers to that question as there are Mormons. When it happens, you know. <<
I’m not asking for something that specific. I’m asking you to define the terms used. I asked, “how is anyone to suppose that this is true?” and the answer I got is “the testimony of the Holy Ghost.” If you can’t begin to define that, you have refused to answer my question.