R ecognize the Holy Ghost. To be able to know something spiritual, I have to feel of the spirit. The promptings of the Holy Ghost are usually quiet and gentle. An answer to my questions most often comes not as a flash of lightning, as an earthquake, or huge vision, but over time through the still small voice( the Holy Ghost). It speaks to my heart feelings of peace, of joy, of hope, teaching and testifying of truth as I diligently seek it. In an answer to how to recognize when we are feeling the spirit of God, Moroni said anything that invites to do good.
E xpect an answer. In order to find something lost, we need to trust that it can be found, or else the search is in vain. Once I recognized how the answer would come, I went to God in prayer with faith. When I prayed with faith, my prayers were heard, I felt Gods influence in my life. Faith always precedes the miracle. As we have faith in Christ, pray to know that the things we are learing are true, He will visit us with the spirit, which will let us know the things we are learning are true. So the answer comes over time through continued prayer with faith.
S incerly search. As prayer without faith is dead, so is expecting an answer and not doing anything about it. The Lord has worked the same since the beginning of time, rewarding those who diligently search with answers. When we are sincere, we are genuine, real, do all we can to seach for an answer.
P ray. In order to get answer to a question, one must first ask the question. In order to address God in prayer, one says Dear Heavenly Father (or Dear God). Thank him for blessings, then speak from the heart (Desires to know weather or not the Book of Mormon is true, for help with trials, as long as its sincere, by the spirit, we can know what to pray for). Then we close in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
E valulate. As I started to read from the Book of Mormon, my testimony grew of Chirst, of Joseph Smith being a true prophet. My days went smoother, I was full of peace and joy, something inside me grew. Its very importaint to take a step back after we have searched, pondered, prayed for answers. Then we can know if what we were doing was good or false. As we exercise our faith, are then touched by the spirit, we can know of a surety that the things we are learnig are true. Alma compared the word to a seed, that, if planted, will grow, which will enlighten our minds with knew knowledge, fill our spirit with the Holy Ghost.
C ontinue in the light. A testimony, or sure knowlede of the truth, needs constant feeding, sort of like a fire. Without bringing would to the fire, it will eventually die out. The spirit does not always strive with man, but as often as we humbly seek it, follow Christ, it will come. Jesus taught us that many will recieve the word, but fall due to tribulation, persacution, cares of the world. Olny those that hear, seek for understanding, will bring forth continued fruit.
T estimony. In conclusion, as we dilligently search in faith, pary sincerley for answers, listen to the Holy Ghost which speaks to our mind and to our heart, we will feel of his spirit, have a sure knowledge of gospel truth. I know by that same power that Jesus is the Christ. I know that he calls men to work in this day and age. Jospeh Smith opened up the window to revelation from heaven againg, restored the gospel of Jesus Christ back on the earth. Here are some testimonys of my good friends.
"For a very long time I had absolutely no faith that there was a god. In seventh grade I was going through a lot of family problems and my brother Michael was always getting into a lot of trouble. In 8th grade him and our mom(grandma) got into this really big fight and he ended up punching her. I knew that Michael was in a bad mood so when I found out that he was coming home I got all scared and left the house leaving my mom to be the only one that was home at the time. I now feel that if I had stayed I would have stopped him from punching her. And I started to blame myself for what had happened.. My parents kicked him out of our house and sent him away to California. When this happened I became really depressed and stopped caring about everything. I lost all faith that there was a god and my entire personality changed. For a very long time I wouldn't act myself because I felt if I became attached to something it would just dissapear. Even though I didn't believe in God I still found myself praying every single night, just hoping that maybe there was someone up there that is watching me. I always said 'If there is a god up there, will you please give me an answer that you do exist. Show me a sign, or a feeling that you are there.' For many years I never saw or heard anything. But I did know a couple kids from school who just seemed so happy with their lives. Julie, Sara, and Jeanne are all part of the L.D.S. church and everday I saw how happy and blessed they were. They were always willing to give out a hand to anyone in need of it. I wanted to be more like them. Less selfish and not so uptight all the time. Then one day I met two people that would help change everything in my life. Elder Todd Hamblin and Elder Kenneth Knudson. I met them at the playground playing basketball. I went up to them and started talking and after a little while we left the playground and started walking and talking about many things. We learned a lot of things about each other and I felt really comfortable around them. We agreed to start having lessons with each other. After the first lesson I was handed the Book of Mormon and they asked to read a little bit of it every night and to pray about it and see how I felt about it. That night I told Julie, Jeanne and Sara about this and they all seemed to be really excited for me. And I also told a friend from West Yellowstone and her enthusiasm was really awesome also. Anyways, I read a little that night and I wasn't really sure what I thought about it. I kept reading a chapter a night and I started to get more into it the farther I got in. I kept having lessons with the missionaries learning more and more every time. And then one night I read this story when Nephi is to go grab the brass plates from Laaman. After reading this story something inside told me that what I was reading is true. And I started to feel more comfortable about joining the church and the missionaries and I agreed on a baptism date. Julie had me read a story on the "Tree of Life." After reading it the first time I wasn't really sure what was going on. But after reading it a couple more times I started to understand the story. It made me want to get closer to god and to life a happy and pure life. On July 2nd, 2011 I got baptized. The feeling was intense. It was as if my entire body was saying "This is what you should be doing". There was no doubt in my mind that I was doing the right thing. The next day I received the Holy Ghost. While that was happening I felt something that is nearly impossible to explain. But I do know that what I did was the best thing for me. And I couldn't have done it without Elder Knudson and Elder Hamblin. Also my friends Jeanne , Julie , Sara and Kaitlyn had a huge impact on my decision. I do know that the L.D.S. church is true and that it has helped bless my life and all those who are also a part of the church. I am very grateful for my peers and all those who were willling to help me..."(Marcus, a recent convert)
"through reading the B.O.M, my life was changed- i knew it had changed me for the better- its magic!"
(Marin, member of LDS church)
"The Book of Mormon is true, i know because I've taken Mormon's advice and prayed about the message. It's true and invites Christ's presence" (Dain, member of LDS Church)
check out http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-testimony/ to learn more
"The Book of Mormon is true, i know because I've taken Mormon's advice and prayed about the message. It's true and invites Christ's presence" (Dain, member of LDS Church)
check out http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-testimony/ to learn more
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