Do I have a testimony?

[NeuroTypical]

I am happy with believeing the church is true for now. I really doubt that I or anyone can KNOW as like another poster said, every member of other religions can claim to know too.

I spent most of my college years taking philosophy classes, hoping for a resolution to this exact same issue, SS. My advice, be patient, study, and pray. I sucesfully resolved this issue, by learning what it actually means to "know" something. (It was something the philosophy classes helped with, but couldn't put to rest.)

LM

[Gargantuan]

Please ponder some of the good experiences you've had with Church Members or a time when you felt a closeness to God. It’s almost too easy or mundane to urge another person to pray about something they may have no desire to pray about. Please try it. But, first please read about times when some of your greatest heroes prayed and how prayer helped them. This could be anyone and if you'd like maybe Joseph Smith. Please just ask God to help you with your unbelief and as you study and continue to pray, He'll give you an answer. Please ask Him to help you recognize that special answer that only you will be able to recognize. Please believe that God loves you enough to hear your humble words and you'll get it. Please try it.

Next, is a dictionary definition of prayer and its importance. After you read this please read from the Book of Mormon or any scripture concerning prayer. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to preach to you. Please forgive me for my lack of good wording, but my intent is sincere for you to come to a good personal understanding. Your answers may come to you after a special trial of your faith.

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7*11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. [bible Dictionary, s.v. "prayer," 752*53]

We pray in Christ's name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ--when his words abide in us (John 15:7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ's name at all; they in no way represent his mind, but spring out of the selfishness of man's heart. [bible Dictionary, s.v. "prayer," 753]

James 1:5, It works. Gar

[talisyn]

Belief in the BoM feels like part of my DNA, I've known (yes, known) since I was 13 about it's truthfulness. But don't think that gift has made life any easier for me than for anyone else who has to work at their belief. Sometimes I think I've been given this knowledge because if i didn't know, then my darkest hours would have broken me for sure.

[Hemidakota]

I have taught for many years that there are gifts as mentioned in Doctrine & Covenants. For some it is to know for others to believe on the testimony of those who know. This is a perfect example of why people should not stress if they do not know. Sure they can come to know but that may not be their first gift. For years I believed on the testimonies of those who knew until I came to have my own and my own confirmation of truth.

Ben Raines

I do believe we can obtain more than our fair share of gifts and talents if we desire it for the right reason.

[Hemidakota]

This post is very timely for me as I have been thinking a lot about this the past week or so. Im having huge problems with my lack of testimony, and I feel I have never had this spiritual witness or burning in the bosom that so many talk about. This is probably the basis for me struggling with my faith at the moment. I like your post Gargantuan, but my problem is that the scriptures actually tell us that we will feel this way if we pray and ask. So if you dont, does that mean that scripture is wrong, you are not doing it right, or the church isnt true???

I'm having to re-classify my definition of a 'testimony' in order to be able to stay in the church and make it work and be happy. I am happy with believeing the church is true for now. I really doubt that I or anyone can KNOW as like another poster said, every member of other religions can claim to know too. I like the churches plan for life. It is good in theory although I think there are holes in some situations that the plan of salvation doesn't account for. However, I think that if any church is true, ours is the closest thing to a 'true' religion and I'm happy to believe it. But I don't think I can, or will ever, know.

We should never be content with the state of our testimony but seek to add or increase our presence before GOD and the world. What is the end state of every testimony? Physically witnessing the Godhead.

[Gargantuan]

Belief in the BoM feels like part of my DNA, I've known (yes, known) since I was 13 about it's truthfulness. But don't think that gift has made life any easier for me than for anyone else who has to work at their belief. Sometimes I think I've been given this knowledge because if i didn't know, then my darkest hours would have broken me for sure.

This is a great gift (Holy Ghost) you have. Please continue to treasure it and you'll gain increased understanding, day by day. Gar

"Next to life itself, the power [Holy Ghost increasing your understanding] to choose is your greatest gift." —Dr. Steven R. Covey

[Gargantuan]

You're definitely on the right life track. You'll have plenty of challenges in your short life time. Some of these can weaken your faith if you aren't spiritually prepared. Reading the Scriptures and praying about what enters your heart as you read will add great power and strength to your convictions.

[ztodd]

We should never be content with the state of our testimony but seek to add or increase our presence before GOD and the world. What is the end state of every testimony? Physically witnessing the Godhead.

More than that, the end state is becoming one with the Godhead. The gospel is all about becoming something- not just knowing something.

I guess you could say, it's knowing all truth by experience, not just by being told. Of course having God tell us what is true is definitely what we need, but we have to be ready to act on what He tells us.