How do you know the Book of Mormon is true? I've heard Mormons say that they know it is true, but how? The told me the Holy Ghost can testify, but how do you recognize it? Do you feel it? I don't understand. Thanks.

Anonymous, 8/23/2010

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El Santo Gringo from La Jolla, California:




Hi friend. I'm happy you visited my site to try to find an answer to your question. People who know the Book of Mormon is true generally know it through personal revelation that they receive directly from God. Personal revelation has been one of the greatest blessings of my own life. It has been a constant guide and strength for me.

Personal revelation can be very difficult to describe. It's like trying to explain what salt tastes like to someone who has never tasted salt. It may be difficult to explain, but once you do taste salt, it's a very real and easily identifiable experience.

The process of receiving revelation is two fold. First, you need to study and ponder. To know if the Book of Mormon is true, for example, you need to read at least some passages from that book. I recommend that you start with 3 Nephi 11 and Alma 32. For most people, additional reading will also be necessary. Aside from reading, you can also discuss the Book of Mormon with the missionaries and, even better, with other members of your local Mormon congregation. Ask them how they feel about the book, and how they obtained their knowledge.

After studying and pondering the Book of Mormon, the second step is to ask God through prayer if the book if true. For some, the answer may come immediately. For others, the answer comes only after additional studying and participation in Church activities. The key is to be patient and to continue to prepare yourself for your own personal revelation by reading the scriptures, praying daily, attending church, and perhaps even fasting for guidance. If you're patient and diligent, God will answer you in His own due time.

Feeling God's spirit is a lot like a feeling, but it's not exactly the same thing. For me, at least, it often has an intellectual component as well. For some people, the spirit is compared to a "burning in the bosom." (Incidentally that is not how I usually feel the spirit.) For others, the spirit is so overwhelming that it can evoke tears of joy.

I recently wrote a brief article about feeling God's spirit that might help you. Please let me know if you have any more questions. May God bless you with perseverance and patience. If you keep seeking after God's truth, He'll answer your prayers in His own due time.

There's a far better way to learn about Mormons! If you have questions, consider inviting Mormons that live in your area to visit with you in your home!

Grandpa Chet from Brownsville:


The reason why it's difficult to describe personal revelation from God, is because it tends to be personal revelation. Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit almost always communicate in the method and fashion which will be meaningful to the individual. To me, for instance, the Holy Spirit testified of Christ and of the Book of Mormon via boolean equations. To one of my daughters, it was as a "peaceful feeling." How might they best communicate to you?

El Santo Gringo: Never heard of the Holy Ghost using boolean equations before. :) Very interesting.
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