Eugene England on Recognizing a Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Posted on by Jared

Members of the church are counseled to obtain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. How does one know when they have a testimony?

The best way to answer this question is to ask those who’ve received a testimony, to describe it.

Eugene England wrote a book titled Converted to Christ Through the Book of Mormon. Following are five examples from his book that will help us recognize what a testimony of the Book of Mormon is like.

Example 1

Throughout my life I had said my prayers regularly and I believed in God. But I guess I had just said my prayers without expecting answers, especially not tangible answers, because I couldn’t imagine how my prayer would be answered. I was afraid I wouldn’t recognize it. One evening when I was home alone, I went to my room to read the Book of Mormon. I knelt down by my bed and asked our Father in Heaven to please let me know, in a way that I would understand, if the Book of Mormon is true, and if so, I would also know the Church is true, and I would be baptized. I promised Him that I would change my life and be obedient to the teachings of the gospel. And if it wasn’t true, I also wanted to know, because the opposition was very obvious to me. I could see only black and white-there was no gray. I knew the answer would change my life. Continue reading →

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Writing and Commenting in the Bloggernacle

Posted on by Jared

Good, better, and best are terms that can be used to describe the relative worth of competing choices. The one thing they have in common is the fact that a favorable outcome can be expected from each. However, the outcomes are not of equal value. All of us come to forks in the road of life where we have choices to make. Often, the most difficult part is deciding what is good, better, or best as we consider the choices before us.

Elder Dallin Oaks has taught:

“As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best.” Ensign, Nov 2007, 104-8.

Sometimes it is difficult to know the “best” choice to make at a fork in the road while traveling the path of life. Who, and when to marry, which career path to choose, what educational path to pursue, which college to attend, can be such choices. Continue reading →

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It’s Not Wise to Think of Heavenly Father as a Mortal, Fallen Man, Like We Are

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I read something from my journal this morning that I thought some readers might relate to. It’s very personal, but I decided to share it.

In June 2011, I was driving to the book store to see what new books were available. On the way, I reflected on the many blessings the Lord has granted to me. As I did, I felt sorrow enter into my heart. I felt bad about my lack of progress in becoming the man I would like to be in the eyes of the Lord. As I drove, I said to Heavenly Father, I’m sorry that I haven’t been more useful to your work. You must have many followers who are a lot more intelligent and capable than I am. I wish I could be like them, you must derive a great deal more pleasure from them than an anxious and annoying person like me.

When I arrived at the bookstore, I browsed through the latest LDS selections. As I picked up a book titled, Walking on Water, by Michael Wilcox, I asked Heavenly Father if there was a message in this book He would like me to see. I randomly opened to page 164 and read the following.

 “Sometimes I say to God—as I strive for perfection—…’Father, don’t give up on me. I’m trying. Don’t let me fail. Please don’t get discouraged.’ I’m always directed by the Spirit to the words of Isaiah when he wrote, ‘[God] shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth’ (Isaiah 42:4). Then I hear the Lord say, ‘Michael, if I’m not going to be discouraged until the whole world is a place of righteousness and judgment, do you think I’m going to be discouraged with you, when you want so badly to please me and to conquer yourself? I don’t get discouraged, Discouragement is not part of my character, I am not impatient. I am never anxious. I do not give up. Keep trying.'”

 It meant a lot to me. It was like a note from Heavenly Father in answer to my prayer. It taught me not to think of Heavenly Father as a mortal, fallen man. He doesn’t get discouraged or give up like a fallen, mortal man or woman. Continue reading →

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Ministering Angels In the Flesh—Do You Know One?

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I think the following account is a powerful reminder of the choices that some valiant spirits took upon themselves in pre-mortality—by taking on hard life assignments.

Look around your circle of friends and extended family. Is there someone you know that is like the lady described by her Stake President in the following story? Maybe it even describes you.

Carlfred Broderick, One Flesh, One Heart: Putting Celestial Love into Your Temple Marriage, 50-53.

Saviors on Mount Zion

“The term ‘savior on Mount Zion’ is ordinarily reserved for those engaged in vicarious work for the dead. Truly, Saints who selflessly devote themselves to genealogical and temple work deserve the title. They perform Christlike service in lovingly opening the gates of exaltation to others who without their work would not have that opportunity. Continue reading →

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Signs and Wonders In Answer to Our Prayers

Posted on by Jared

Building faith is why I blog. Today’s blog is about answers to prayer.

Heavenly Father is how I like to think of God as well as the name I use when I call upon Him in prayer.

My experience with prayer has taught me that answers come in many ways. We’re taught that prayers are answered by feelings in our heart and mind. We are also taught about burning in the bosom. I have experience with these forms of prayer. I’ve written about them in other post. See my category listing for prayer.

In today’s post, I would like to draw attention to another important way prayers are answered—by signs.

“…he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost…working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:13) Continue reading →

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Seeking the Holy Ghost in Times of Peace, and Trouble

Posted on by Jared

The apostles and prophets teach that acquiring the gift of the Holy Ghost is the most important thing we can do in life.[1] Some readers might not agree with this statement, saying that coming to Christ is more important.

If that is true, how would you answer this question: “How can we come to Christ without the Holy Ghost?”

One purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify or reveal to men that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Eternal Father (Matt. 16:16, 1 Corinthians 12:3). Without the Holy Ghost we cannot receive the necessary spiritual experiences to have a relationship with Christ.

We can study the scriptures, listen to the words of the living prophets, and thereby intellectually learn of Christ, but we won’t be able to experience Christ until we qualify for the Holy Ghost. Intellectual conversion to Christ is fragile, Spiritual conversion to Christ will ground and root us. Continue reading →

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“Begging for a Remission of Your Sins”

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First, a definition of the word “beg” may be helpful to set aside any emotional response we may have to the word. Some among us may feel offended by this word thinking that God would never require His sons and daughters, the elect, those holding the priesthood, those who have made sacred covenants in the temples, to beg.

Beg: To ask earnestly; to beseech; to entreat or supplicate with humility. From American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828

The title of this post, Begging for a Remission of Your Sins, is taken from the account of King Benjamin teaching his people the message delivered to him by an angel from God .

Before going any further, I think it’s important to have an idea of just who King Benjamin and his people were. King Benjamin’s people are described as being “highly favored people of the Lord” because they were “diligent in keeping the commandments” (Mosiah 1:11 & 13).  Continue reading →

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Are God’s Promises Being Realized in Your Life?

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The scriptures contain many promises to followers of Christ. Consider the following short list:

1.  The Lord answers our prayers—3 Nephi 18:20

2.  Keeping the commandments brings happiness—Mosiah 2:41

3.  We will be supported in our trials and troubles—Alma 36:3

4.  We can be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost—2 Nephi 31:13 Continue reading →

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Receiving Answer to Prayer—Hindered by Over Reliance on “Experts”?

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To begin, I feel it is important to underscore a fact that we experience everyday. People differ in talent and abilities. To illustrate, consider two dissimilar activities, running a 5K race and taking an algebra class. Suppose there are 100 people participating in each endeavor. What would you expect to happen as the race and the algebra class progressed?

Typically, there would be a range of human talent and ability manifest: fast and slow runners, fast and slow algebra students, with the majority being average.

I think it is safe to say the same is true when it comes to spirituality. Individuals differ in spiritual talent and ability, but the important thing is that we understand and believe that we all have access to Heavenly Father via prayer. The question we need to ask is: “What can I do to improve my spirituality.”

If you’re not happy with your ability to receive answer to prayer, then you know if you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results. Continue reading →

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Receiving Answers to Our Prayers—A Matter of Desire

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There is nothing in life quite as sublime as receiving an answer to prayer! This is especially true if we have been seeking the Lord with all our heart on a matter of deepest import for a prolonged period of time. To experience an answer to prayer gives a boost to our faith. In the language of scripture, “then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of the God” (D&C 121:45).

I hope that all who read this have had this sublime experience, or will have a desire to have such an experience.Wherever we’re at in receiving answers to our prayers, the fact remains that we can increase our sensitivity to the things of the spirit—if we desire to. The word “desire” is very important when it comes to the topic of prayer. The scripture teach we “receive according to our desires (Ether 3:2).”

Our desires are one key to receiving answer to prayer. There are many things that can be classified as either barriers or facilitators to receiving answer to prayer. In my opinion, the primary barrier to receiving answer to prayer is anemic desire. 

Followers of Christ who live in prosperous circumstances can be challenged by the lack of desire to obtain answers to their prayers. I’m not referring to just those who are wealthy in dollars, whatever we may be “wealthy” in, be it intellect, personality, athleticism, social status, good works, church callings, and etc. They already feel blessed. They may not need anything. They feel they know all they need to know. So day by day they may be offering up prayers that are routine.  I wonder if it would be better not to pray at all, as to offer up routine, hasty, superficial prayers to our Father in Heaven (Moroni 7:9). Continue reading →

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