Weird Habit I Can’t Stop When Reading the Book of Mormon

[clbent04]

I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, but there’s this weird thing that often happens to me when I do.

As I’m reading certain passages, it’s almost as if I hear a voice in the back of my head say something like “Good one, Joseph Smith.” It’s as if my subconsciousness is suggesting to me Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon.

This doesn’t happen all the time. A lot of times I just feel positive from reading it.  It also doesn’t help I haven’t received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that Mormon scripture is true.

Take for instance the following Mormon scriptures that I’ve struggled with, and that pesky voice in the back of my head:

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

2.     Story of Alma the Younger

Reaction: Is this just the Book of Mormon version of Paul?

3.     The Olive Tree

Reaction: Mirroring the New Testament once more?

4.     Doctrine and Covenants 124:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

Reaction: Nice pat on the back

5.    Doctrine and Covenants 41:7

7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Reaction: Is this of the Lord or Joseph’s way of having his personal agenda fulfilled?

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true? Anyone else have thoughts like these subside or stop altogether after receiving confirmation from God that the Mormon church is the one and only true church of God?

Edited August 20, 2017 by clbent04

[Sunday21]

I have thoughts like this when I read the BOM. Often: Why did the prophet/Mormon think this was important? What is he trying to tell me? How would I react in this situation? 

Often when people pray to know if the BOM is true, they don't get 'Yes it is true!' Instead, they get a happy peaceful feeling. This is the situation for me.

Edited August 20, 2017 by Sunday21

[Suzie]

 

Quote

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

The word "Adieu" was a common word used in the early 19th century New England. There is a record of Smith's mother using  the word "adieu" in a letter as well.  So even though French gives a nice "touch" to the narrative isn't really controversial.

Edited August 20, 2017 by Suzie

[Grunt]

4 minutes ago, clbent04 said:

I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, but there’s this weird thing that often happens to me when I do.

As I’m reading certain passages, it’s almost as if I hear a voice in the back of my head say something like “Good one, Joseph Smith.” It’s as if my subconsciousness is suggesting to me Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon.

This doesn’t happen all the time. A lot of times I just feel positive from reading it.  It also doesn’t help I haven’t received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that Mormon scripture is true.

Take for instance the following Mormon scriptures that I’ve struggled with, and that pesky voice in the back of my head:

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

2.     Story of Alma the Younger

Reaction: Is this just the Book of Mormon version of Paul?

3.     The Olive Tree

Reaction: Mirroring the New Testament once more?

4.     Doctrine and Covenants 124:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

Reaction: Nice pat on the back

5.    Doctrine and Covenants 41:7

7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Reaction: Is this of the Lord or Joseph’s way of having his personal agenda fulfilled?

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true? Anyone else have thoughts like these subside or stop altogether after receiving confirmation from God that the Mormon church is the one and only true church of God?

Sure.  I've had similar thoughts, but I don't dwell on them.  I was discussing a few things with my wife tonight and she gave me an eye roll.  Not in a mean way, just a physical reaction that isn't unlike what I get sometimes.  This led to a very frank discussion between us where we talked about the Book of Mormon, The Holy Bible, and religion in general.  Her doubts are similar to my own, only she hasn't been doing the reading, studying, and answer seeking that I have so her criticisms bothered me a little because she didn't even understand what she was criticizing, nor had she put forth the effort.  

Here's my opinion.  It doesn't solve my issues with the BoM, but it keeps my playing the game.  Do you believe the Bible is a true testament?   Why?  What makes you believe the Bible and not the BoM?  Did you get a testimony that the Bible was true?  

Your questions are legitimate, but dwelling on them isn't going to bring you the answers you seek.  You're focusing on the negative.  You need to read the BoM with an open heart and not question these things.  That doesn't mean you have to accept the BoM as true, but if you are concerned that it is false you won't receive the testimony you want.  I'm convinced of that.  The more I read scripture, the more I associate with the faithful, the less concern I have for the issues I have with the scripture.  

That doesn't mean I accept it, only that I'm comfortable with it.  From comfort I hope I can achieve testimony.  If I can't, I can still decide from that point where my road takes me.  If you're tainted by a need to focus on doubt, I don't believe you'll have room for truth.

[Suzie]

I apologize in advance for the bad editing, the quote tags for some reason always give me trouble.

 

[Fether]

15 minutes ago, clbent04 said:

I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, but there’s this weird thing that often happens to me when I do.

As I’m reading certain passages, it’s almost as if I hear a voice in the back of my head say something like “Good one, Joseph Smith.” It’s as if my subconsciousness is suggesting to me Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon.

This doesn’t happen all the time. A lot of times I just feel positive from reading it.  It also doesn’t help I haven’t received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that Mormon scripture is true.

Take for instance the following Mormon scriptures that I’ve struggled with, and that pesky voice in the back of my head:

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

2.     Story of Alma the Younger

Reaction: Is this just the Book of Mormon version of Paul?

3.     The Olive Tree

Reaction: Mirroring the New Testament once more?

4.     Doctrine and Covenants 124:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

Reaction: Nice pat on the back

5.    Doctrine and Covenants 41:7

7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Reaction: Is this of the Lord or Joseph’s way of having his personal agenda fulfilled?

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true? Anyone else have thoughts like these subside or stop altogether after receiving confirmation from God that the Mormon church is the one and only true church of God?

Oh I do all the time x) mostly along the lines of "good job in covering all your bases" when doctrines that differ from Christen doctrines pop up in the BOM or D+C. Like Moroni 8 and baptizing infants.

I also think "good one, this will convince everyone" when I read about Joseph Smith being rebuked by God.

[clbent04]

31 minutes ago, Sunday21 said:

Often when people pray to know if the BOM is true, they don't get 'Yes it is true!' Instead, they get a happy peaceful feeling. This is the situation for me.

My only problem with that is I also get happy, peaceful feelings reading the words of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and this inspirational quotes calendar someone bought for me

[person0]

Being fluent in two languages I can testify that sometimes you have to translate something to the best fit, although it is not the exact word, it will convey the appropriate context.  Adieu literally means 'to God', while in English we might say 'God bless' as a closing remark, the word 'adieu' has been in common usage in the English language since before Joseph Smith's time.  He could also have used the Spanish word 'adios' which is literally exactly the same in meaning, however, that was not common to the vernacular of his time.  Remember, the Book of Mormon, while true, is still a translated document.

The only reason we don't say that we believe the Book of Mormon to be true as far as it is translated correctly is because we believe it was translated as correctly as possible.  We add that statement in reference to the Bible, because it is continuously being re-translated and re-interpreted, and the documents from which it is translated are copies of copies of copies.

I would encourage you to seek out patterns and truths in the Book of Mormon that clearly originate from God, at the minimum, as an opposition to the speculations you are having, if not as evidences of truth in themselves.

3 minutes ago, clbent04 said:

My only problem with that is I also get happy, peaceful feelings reading the words of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and this inspirational quotes calendar someone bought for me

Are they truth?  If so, then why couldn't you get those feelings? If it is helpful to you, you could feel the Spirit testify while reading a mathematics textbook, or even something someone posts on this forum.  The Spirit can and will testify of all truth, it doesn't only testify that the Book of Mormon is true.

Food for thought:  If we all critiqued the Bible to the same extent that the Book of Mormon is critiqued by its detractors, I presume most of us would become agnostic, or possibly even atheist.

[Grunt]

Just now, person0 said:

 

Food for thought:  If we all critiqued the Bible to the same extent that the Book of Mormon is critiqued by its detractors, I presume most of us would become agnostic, or possibly even atheist.

 

That's what I was trying to say, just not as eloquently.

[Sunday21]

11 minutes ago, clbent04 said:

My only problem with that is I also get happy, peaceful feelings reading the words of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and this inspirational quotes calendar someone bought for me

If I were in this situation, I would fast and pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I suspect that you will hear a talk or be part of a conversation that will answer your question. 

[clbent04]

1 hour ago, Grunt said:

Do you believe the Bible is a true testament?   Why?  What makes you believe the Bible and not the BoM?  Did you get a testimony that the Bible was true?  

While I'm not sure if I've ever prayed to God specifically asking if the Bible is true, the Atonement of Jesus Christ has been very real in my life. The Bible is the earliest record we have today of Jesus, and it's credibility is validated by multiple witnesses saying the same thing (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).  It's through their accounts I learned about the Savior's life and who he was.  

So even if I never get a solid "Yes" from the Lord upon specifically asking "Is the Bible true?", I already feel like I have an answer.  I never get that voice of doubt in the back of my head when I read the Bible, even when I read some of the crazier parts in the Old Testament or the later parts in the New Testament like Revelations

Edited August 21, 2017 by clbent04

[Sunday21]

@clbent04. Have faith. If you consistently pray to know that the Book of Mormon is true, something will happen.

[Snigmorder]

5 hours ago, clbent04 said:

I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, but there’s this weird thing that often happens to me when I do.

As I’m reading certain passages, it’s almost as if I hear a voice in the back of my head say something like “Good one, Joseph Smith.” It’s as if my subconsciousness is suggesting to me Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon.

This doesn’t happen all the time. A lot of times I just feel positive from reading it.  It also doesn’t help I haven’t received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that Mormon scripture is true.

Take for instance the following Mormon scriptures that I’ve struggled with, and that pesky voice in the back of my head:

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

2.     Story of Alma the Younger

Reaction: Is this just the Book of Mormon version of Paul?

3.     The Olive Tree

Reaction: Mirroring the New Testament once more?

4.     Doctrine and Covenants 124:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

Reaction: Nice pat on the back

5.    Doctrine and Covenants 41:7

7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Reaction: Is this of the Lord or Joseph’s way of having his personal agenda fulfilled?

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true? Anyone else have thoughts like these subside or stop altogether after receiving confirmation from God that the Mormon church is the one and only true church of God?

I do this exact same thing. I'll read the Book of Mormon and I'll read a passage, take Mosiah 8 as an example, (this was my first reaction upon reading it) "Joe's just trying to sell himself."

Then there are those things that I read and I think "what a profound thing to have just sprouted up in the American West." Me and my grandma, when we read the scriptures together, will sometimes ironically say something like "that was pretty good Sidney" or "what a strange thing to write Sidney." 

I can tell you one thing, Joseph Smith did not write that book. And I'll tell you another thing, those men suffered great and personal affliction and persecution for its sake.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Snigmorder

[CV75]

15 hours ago, clbent04 said:

Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true?

Yes, except it isn't just "just" -- real intent makes it a higher priority. I don't think a testimony prevents questions or critique, but I do think it facilitates good faith in questioning and critiquing. It don't think a testimony prevents doubts, since we can have a testimony and yet conduct ourselves in ways unrelated to studying the book that undermine faith and resolve. I also think we can be guided by the Holy Ghost even if we haven't yet obtained a spiritual witness of its truthfulness. I don't think everyone needs to study it from an academic standpoint, but the Holy Ghost can help with this too.

[anatess2]

17 hours ago, clbent04 said:

My only problem with that is I also get happy, peaceful feelings reading the words of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and this inspirational quotes calendar someone bought for me

Article of Faith 13:  ... If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Meaning - truth is not exclusive to the LDS Church.  Ghandi tells you - " I have no strength save what God gives me."  Does that make it false because Ghandi, a non-Christian, uttered it?

Now, if you get warm and peaceful feelings when a jihadist yells, "Kill all the infidels!" then that might be a problem.

[anatess2]

18 hours ago, clbent04 said:

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Do I just need to continue praying to God until I receive a confirmation from the Holy Spirit the Book of Mormon is true? Anyone else have thoughts like these subside or stop altogether after receiving confirmation from God that the Mormon church is the one and only true church of God?

My kids' favorite is Shem getting his head cut off then taking a breath.  They love reading it to their friends.

But then, they believe that the Book of Mormon is true.  So, it is easy for them to think - meh, maybe a person is like a cockroach, will still thrash after dead.  Maybe the observer just got the chronology of the event backwards.  Whatever.  Doesn't change what the observer wanted to say - that Shem got killed.

Edited August 21, 2017 by anatess2

[Guest]

19 hours ago, clbent04 said:

1.     Jacob 7:27 “And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.”

Reaction: Nice touch with the French word

2.     Story of Alma the Younger

Reaction: Is this just the Book of Mormon version of Paul?

3.     The Olive Tree

Reaction: Mirroring the New Testament once more?

4.     Doctrine and Covenants 124:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

Reaction: Nice pat on the back

5.    Doctrine and Covenants 41:7

7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Reaction: Is this of the Lord or Joseph’s way of having his personal agenda fulfilled?

1.  This is a common anti-Mormon criticism.  @Suzie pointed out the common usage.  And the full story is that "adieu" was/is actually an English word just as much as "yacht" or attache' " or "ballet" "mot juste" or a dozen other words that we still pronounce in the French manner.  But adieu has become less common in today's vernacular, so it seems more out of place to modern Americans.  It means not only a farewell, but it also implies a blessing.  Many languages have such a word.  English is lacking -- except for adieu.

2. Yes, it is.  And...?

3. That depends on which part you're talking about.

4. & 5. These comments are actually disturbing.  If that is your gut reaction, then you're saying that your gut reaction is that none of this is true. I could understand such a reaction from someone who is simply investigating.  But from someone who has said that you have at least some testimony that this is true, it really is not like one who has any degree of testimony.

Is it really from you?  Or is there a little devil that is whispering these things to you?  If it is you, you've really got to do some soul searching.  If it is a devil, then you need to shut that thing down.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Guest

[clbent04]

7 hours ago, Carborendum said:

Is it really from you?  Or is there a little devil that is whispering these things to you?  If it is you, you've really got to do some soul searching.  If it is a devil, then you need to shut that thing down.

I tend to think it comes from me and I need commit myself more to receive an answer directly from God to dissolve this doubt once and for all.  I just need to dig deep and find that extra bit of faith and perseverance to receive an answer I guess.  That's why earlier I was asking for examples of how prayer has worked for others.

I am the world's worst example when it comes to the power of prayer and receiving direct answers from God. But there must be plenty of other people in the Mormon religion who receive direct answers clear as night and day. I just want to hear more about what those experiences are like, what people did in order to obtain those answers, how they may have increased their dedication to the Lord to prove themselves worthy to receive such an answer. Maybe I am just not humble enough? Idk

[Guest]

9 hours ago, clbent04 said:

Maybe I am just not humble enough? Idk

I say the following, not because I'm judging you, but because I recognize what I once saw in myself.

You aren't humble enough.  That may sound strange to hear because you don't internalize the spiritual meaning of humility. We trust in God for all. We rely on His strength for all.  That also includes his means of answering you.  When the Lord speaks, you tend to expect one thing while He is answering in another.  So, you completely miss His message.

We don't simply expect Him to do it our way.  We need to accept things His way. That is how we seek the Lord. He is the rewarder of those that diligently see him.  We don't make fun of His words as if they are the words of man and the expect Him to bless us with a testimony.

[Sunday21]

Agree with Carb. You can spend a lot of time spinning your wheels until you humble yourself enough to hear the message.

[anatess2]

9 hours ago, clbent04 said:

I tend to think it comes from me and I need commit myself more to receive an answer directly from God to dissolve this doubt once and for all.  I just need to dig deep and find that extra bit of faith and perseverance to receive an answer I guess.  That's why earlier I was asking for examples of how prayer has worked for others.

I am the world's worst example when it comes to the power of prayer and receiving direct answers from God. But there must be plenty of other people in the Mormon religion who receive direct answers clear as night and day. I just want to hear more about what those experiences are like, what people did in order to obtain those answers, how they may have increased their dedication to the Lord to prove themselves worthy to receive such an answer. Maybe I am just not humble enough? Idk

I RARELY receive clear answers like night and day (without solar eclipse).  Usually, I pray and pray and pray and the answer eventually comes after I studied studied studied.  Took me 4 years of reading BOM to get a testimony of it.  The testimony came as a "settling" in my mind.  It's like the last piece of a puzzle gets put into place and my brain relaxes, sits back, and just goes Wow.  This has been my experience - a lot of times, the Spirit speaks to me through a settling of my brain.

But I did also receive very clear immediate answers to prayer, rare though as they are.  I'll give you 2 instances. 
1.)  This was very early on in my marriage - I was not investigating the Church but I was supportive of my husband's journey back to Church from being inactive going through some repentance process.  My husband and I were fighting, I was desperately hanging on to sanity (I have anger management issues) and in desperation, I locked myself in a room, knelt down, and begged God, "Please help me".  That's all I said in that prayer.  And almost immediately, the doorbell rings.  The missionaries came by and asked my husband if they can speak to me.  Now, the missionaries know they can't come to the house unless they set up an appointment, but that day they said they can't ignore the prompting to come by.  They felt they needed to come.  The room I was in was next to the front door so I can hear them.  I refused to come out of the room but at that very moment, I felt a kind of peace just wash over me and I felt energy leave me that I became so tired and fell asleep.

2.)  I was contemplating on buying this house I'm in now.  We had so much trouble with the process that my husband and I took our deposit back and walked away from the deal.  A few weeks later, the owner of the house called us back and told us he'll do everything we asked for in the contract.  I offered a quick prayer and I got a very clear No, don't do it.... I didn't listen.  I argued with God - Why not?  It's a great deal!  I love the house!  No answer.  I bought the house.  Regretted it.

[Guest]

On 8/20/2017 at 6:56 PM, clbent04 said:

My only problem with that is I also get happy, peaceful feelings reading the words of Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and this inspirational quotes calendar someone bought for me

 

Edited August 22, 2017 by Guest

[JohnsonJones]

On ‎8‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 6:06 PM, person0 said:

Food for thought:  If we all critiqued the Bible to the same extent that the Book of Mormon is critiqued by its detractors, I presume most of us would become agnostic, or possibly even atheist.

If you ever spend time in a Non-Judeo Christian (and Islamic to a smaller extent) nation, you'll find that the Bible is probably critiqued more than the Book of Mormon.

[JohnsonJones]

On ‎8‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 7:51 PM, clbent04 said:

I tend to think it comes from me and I need commit myself more to receive an answer directly from God to dissolve this doubt once and for all.  I just need to dig deep and find that extra bit of faith and perseverance to receive an answer I guess.  That's why earlier I was asking for examples of how prayer has worked for others.

I am the world's worst example when it comes to the power of prayer and receiving direct answers from God. But there must be plenty of other people in the Mormon religion who receive direct answers clear as night and day. I just want to hear more about what those experiences are like, what people did in order to obtain those answers, how they may have increased their dedication to the Lord to prove themselves worthy to receive such an answer. Maybe I am just not humble enough? Idk

This is difficult to do without knowing you personally, or relating to you personally.  This can apply to many, but not everyone, so when relating this, I'm not sure if you'll be able to use it or not.

Now...think about when you are in sacrament meeting.  You may not feel anything that you recognize when you sit there, but I want you to think harder on it.  Now, at times you may feel tired, or sleepy, or maybe even bored.  I'm not talking about that, but the feeling you have MAY somewhat incur that.  Think about the actual feeling you have.  It's not something that leaps out at you probably, but it's something slightly different.  A feeling there which is...well...just is.  It's something which is very calm and peaceful if you can even get that far. 

THAT's the feeling of the spirit.  It can be hard to identify...until you KNOW what you are feeling.  It is constantly present there at the meetings, especially sacrament...the key is recognizing what is different in how you feel there from your everyday life.  You can also feel it in the temple, if you've been there.  It's not necessarily something that leaps out at you, and in fact, many don't recognize it until they are older.. 

I recognized it most recently when I went camping with a bunch of non-LDS individuals.  I realized there was something very different in this camp, and it had to do with all the Priesthood brethren and the spirit they carry at an LDS scout camp vs. that of one without.  It's such a subtle feeling at times, it is VERY easy to miss.  The best I can say, is to notice what is, that very slight different between what it is at Sacrament meeting, and what it is in everyday life without the church.

Once you can recognize it, you'll notice it more often as you can then identify it. 

IT IS possible to feel the spirit when TRUTH and RIGHT are about.  If you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, it can be with you and you can feel it more strongly whenever good things or truth is spoken or read.  However, it will always verify the truth in the Book of Mormon.

I'm not sure if that will help you or not, but that's the best I can do without being in a situation where I can identify the spirit itself to you in person.

Edited August 24, 2017 by JohnsonJones

[person0]

8 minutes ago, JohnsonJones said:

If you ever spend time in a Non-Judeo Christian (and Islamic to a smaller extent) nation, you'll find that the Bible is probably critiqued more than the Book of Mormon.

I was referring to just the Christian community at large, but yes, being as I have a father who is Muslim, I have experienced and am aware that the Bible is generally criticized by the majority of the educated world.