Replies

>> 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.

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.

It is your attitude that prevents you from receiving a witness!

“But Mormonism seems to say, “suspend all credulity and reason and just take our word for it.””

No, that is not what we say. We say read it yourself, give honest consideration to our side, and take whatever conclusion you reach to God and ask Him if your conclusion is correct and go with what God answers you.

The fact is that sometimes what is true is contrary to what man’s reason would dictate. How reasonable is it to believe that someone actually walked on water, contrary to all the laws of nature we know, or changed water to wine, or rose from the dead? Where can faith and conviction in those things come from? Not from man’s reasoning. Pick up the Bible with a skeptical eye and you can easily come away from it thinking it is full of a bunch of silly, impossible stories that no reasonable person would buy into.

Is that what you think of the Bible, or do you have in your heart a conviction that Jesus is the Christ and actually did all those things? If you have that conviction, where did it come from, how did you get it?

There needs to be faith that God is both willing and able to answer such prayers. Although we can’t give you some kind of checklist to use in identifying the answer God sends you, by acting on faith you can find out for yourself that the witness of the Holy Ghost is a real thing. Then you can have a shot at describing it if you want. :)

May I suggest reading this one chapter of the BoM as you consider what we are talking about: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/32

If you can’t begin to define that, you have refused to answer my question.

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

OK. But Mormonism seems to say, “suspend all credulity and reason and just take our word for it.”

Quite the contrary, Mormonism says study it out in your mind and ask God; don't take our word for it.

The asking must be done with "true intent," not with idle curiosity. That entails a willingness to act upon the answer you receive, to repent and to change your life as God directs. Jesus said much the same thing:

14 ¶ Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:14-17)

My Engineering students will tell you that buying the textbook and flipping through the pages is not enough. You must study it thoroughly and work the problems. Even that is not enough: to be an engineer, you must put into practice what you have learned.

It seems more prepostrous than any other religions I’ve ever come across, except Scientology.

Of course that is a matter of perspective. My atheist friends consider all of Christianity to be equally preposterous.

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.

Allow me to answer your question with a question: How does one know that anything is true?