Elder Smith
We were discussing the need to pray when seeking confirmation from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true.
And, that confirmation is manifested with feelings of a burning in the bosom.
Ava
And I was making the point that the Holy Spirit doesn’t operate that way.
God’s truth is revealed in His Word to our mind – not through our subjective feelings.
Elder Young
You don’t believe we can trust our hearts to know truth?
Ava
Let’s read what God says about trusting our hearts.
Please read Deuteronomy 11:16.
Elder Smith
“Take head to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them.”
Ava
Now read Proverbs 14:12.
Elder Smith
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Elder Young
In other words, what seems right – what feels right – isn’t always right?
Ava
That’s right! Sometimes we convince ourselves that things are a certain way, only to find out later they are not. Please read Jeremiah 17:9.
Elder Young
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Ava
And Proverbs 28:26.
Elder Young
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”
Ava
That is what the Bible warns about trusting our hearts. Our heart is the seed of our emotions. And our feelings can fool us into believing something is right or true. Only to find out later we shouldn’t have listened to our heart.
Elder Smith
I’ve learned that lesson a time or two in my life. (Insert past episode)
Ava
That’s the danger in relying on emotions – like a burning in the bosom – to guide us to truth.
Elder Smith
Jesus told us in John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
Ava
Yes, and He said nothing about praying to know if something is true, but to search the scriptures. And when Jesus said “scriptures” He meant the Bible.
In fact, why just pray about the Book of Mormon? Why not pray about other religious writings – like the Quran, Bhagavad Gita [ buhg–uh-vuh d-gee-tah ], the Christian Science Monitor, and the Watchtower?
Elder Smith
Because in reading parts of those books and publications – I realized those teachings and doctrines are false.
Ava
You’ve read and studied them and found no need to go to God in prayer to ask for confirmation about their truth?
Elder Smith
That’s right.
Ava
There – you’ve made my point.
I, along with probably millions of people around the world, have read the Book of Mormon. And realizing the content is not in agreement with God’s Word found in the Bible – saw no point in offending God by asking in prayer for Him to confirm the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.
As missionaries, you are familiar with the passage in James chapter 1 verse 5. Will you read it for me?
Elder Young
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Ava
Asking for wisdom or understanding is the recommended approach to reading any religious book – including the Book of Mormon. Remember, part of Doctrine and Covenants Section 9 verse 8 said to “study it out in your mind.” If you read the Book of Mormon and discover false teachings, it wouldn’t make sense to pray and ask God if “it’s not true.” Your rational mind tells you it’s not.
Elder Smith
What you’re saying, is that we don’t pray about truth – we search for wisdom in understanding truth.
Ava
That’s right, Elder.
