BrntSeth

There is nothing, Nothing, NOTHING, wrong with asking God for clarity, guidance, truth, and discernment. Ever. The problem that most people have with the LDS church when they do it is because from our end it seems that this is all you require. If God gives you that burning bosom then that's it. I've had several people tell me that there is "nothing you can say or bring up that would make me question my faith" because they have felt this sensation. Solely relying on a feeling is where people may be misled, for as the bible tells us, our hearts are corrupt and cannot be trusted (Jer. 17:9). Me, I have prayed and asked God whether or not the Bible is the word of God. But I have also used my God-given brain and studied the dead sea scrolls, read about the hundreds of manuscripts that prove today's Bible contains the same content as the transcripts during Jesus' time. I have looked at the geography spoken of in the Bible and compared it to todays maps, seen the literal evidence of prophecy, Biblical historical account, and His holy hand at work in our world. I have pondered how Moses could know about anti-bacterial practices before modern medicine, how the Bible speaks of the world being round before Columbus, how the Bible knows that the stars are innumerable before astrology was invented, and many other scientific breakthroughs were even thought about. I've looked at the data that seems to support a literal 6 day creation as spoken of in Genesis. Yes, I have prayed to know of it's truth, but I didn't stop there. I have many friends who would not even listen to me talk about the bible until I could defend it with scientific evidence. Sadly, I have not been able to have such conversations with Mormons because, as I have come to understand, the majority of their faith is based on a feeling, rather than evidence.

So, for a while I have noticed that during fast and testimony meeting (the first Sunday of every month) most people do not mention Jesus until they close with "...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." When parents spoon feed their testimony to their kids, Jesus doesn't even make top billing. Adults seldom talk about His work on the cross, or His unwavering grace. Instead, they relate some funny story that happened to them at the mall. Others relate a sad story, where I find myself constantly praying that their tears are because of their passion and not because they are nervous public speakers. More often than not, it seems to me that these people see testimony meeting as an opportunity for their 15 min without ever giving God any credit for anything in their life. Isn't a testimony supposed to be just that, a testimony? I feel that every word spoken in that moment should be drenched in our Savior's love and only glorify Him? I mean, we are ending our words with His name...shouldn't He get some credit. I know I may sound cynical and calloused, but this truly bothers me. I love my Savior so very much and it bothers me that given the opportunity to shout this to the heavens in front of their church family some people would rather talk about so many other things. Jesus should always be our focus. Am I wrong? What do you think?