The presence of the Holy Spirit did indeed inspire Holy Scripture. But we are commanded to: do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [1 John 4:1]. The reasons are clearly stated in the passage; there are false prophets and false feelings of inspiration. Further, we are instructed to test the spirits against the Word of God (i.e. the Bible). A teaching is not true if it contradicts the Bible.
Turning to my original point that a person cannot know they are saved by praying to receive revelation ... something that Mormons refer to as a testimony ... I still maintain that this method is not valid. I base this on three reasons.
REASON #1: It can result in false answers.
As noted above, Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses believe they receive confirmation their faith is true through prayer and revelation. Are they not just as convinced they are right as you are? And as a Mormon, don't you reject their faiths? And doesn't this prove praying for revelation can result in false answers?REASON #2: Mormon Church Leaders instructed me to examine the evidence, and to do this before I pray for revelation.
I say to the whole world, receive the truth, no matter who presents it to you. Take up the Bible, compare the religion of the Latter-day Saints with it, and see if it will stand the test … I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him … let every man and woman know themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates or not. This has been my exhortation continually. (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 16:46, as cited by Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October 1950, pp. 129-130).We are not so much concerned whether your thoughts are orthodox or heterodox as we are that you shall have thoughts … while all members should respect, support, and heed the teaching of the Authorities of the Church, no one should accept a statement and base his testimony upon it, no matter who makes it, until he has, under mature examination found it to be true and worthwhile; then his logical deductions may be confirmed by the spirit of revelation to his spirit because real conversion must come from within." (President Hugh B. Brown, a member of the LDS First Presidency, Dialog, Summer 1984, p. 15).
REASON #3: Praying for revelation is not valid is when we already have reliable information that answers a question.
For example, do you need to pray to find out how tall Mt. Everest is, or discover St. Louis is not the capital of the United States?In consideration of the above, I maintain Mormon leaders have indeed given wise advice. I therefore prefer to examine evidence in lieu of praying in the hope of receiving a warm fuzzy feeling.What can be accomplished in these cases through prayer? Is it possible for prayer to somehow invalidate the facts?
Sorry Zakeet, I don’t have time to analyze/reply to every one of your items .... I’m alittle outnumbered here.
But .... I maintain that Christ didn’t promote the Holy Ghost for nothing .....
If you think the Holy Ghost is useless .... then how could Jesus Christ have been so wrong?
.... or could it be that maybe, Jesus Christ was right and that ..... your doing something wrong by missing it?