Ive been a member nearly 8 years,, im having doubts about the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith, ive had spirital things happen to me in the past where I cant deny at all, its just that ive prayed about Joseph, and the Book of Mormon, and nothing at all, I feel as though I did once have a strong testimony, but its definately faded away, or fading away, I need help in restoring my faith,, I love the church, and its teachings, but when I start reading the Book of Mormon, im flooded with doubts, could you please help me? :)))
Anonymous,
/Questions/ive_member_8_im_doubts_ENG_488.php
3 Responses to “Ive Been a Member Nearly 8 Years,, im Having Doubts About…”
Mateo Duarte
2012-10-14 13:40:57
Hi friend. Thanks for posting your very interesting question. A lot of people have doubts like yours. I hope I can help.
Joseph Smith was the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received a message from God to restore Christ's ancient church in modern times.
First, let's start by doing some "thought experiments." Let's assume the worst-case scenario and suppose that Joseph Smith was not a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is not true. In this case, what would you do? You mentioned that you love the church. You love the teachings of the church. You doubtlessly recognize that Mormonism helps people live healthy lives and leads to strong families. Even if the church's unique truth claims were false, 90% of what the church teaches is identical to what is taught in other Christian denominations. Even if it's not God's one true church, it is at least just as true as any other denomination. If you love it, you'll want to stay in it, even if it isn't the only church with the Apostolic authority (priesthood).
Having established this baseline--this worst-case scenario that still wouldn't require you to leave the church--let's see if we can't build on that. What if the Book of Mormon is not literally true? Does that mean it isn't still allegorically true? Couldn't it still be a divinely inspired allegory? Most Christians recognize that much of the Bible (e.g., passages from Isaiah and Revelations) is allegorically but not literally true. Why couldn't the Book of Mormon be seen the same way? This isn't my personal view of the Book of Mormon, nor is it the view of the majority of members, but someone who sees the Book of Mormon as allegorically true can still assert that the book is true and that it was written under the influence of divine revelation.
The Book of Mormon has been translated into many languages.
Having established that the Book of Mormon can still be true without being literally true, where can you go from there? Should you close your mind and assume you've got it all figured out? No member of the church should think that way. We should always be open to new revelation. Perhaps in time you'll come to see the Book of Mormon as literally true. Perhaps studying secular evidences of the Book of Mormon will help, though secular evidences cannot be the basis of our faith. Perhaps your testimony of Joseph Smith will strengthen as a result of this study, or perhaps you'll come to appreciate the Book of Mormon more as you come to appreciate its allegorical beauty. Who knows. Just keep growing spiritually and heading in the right direction, even if it's a slow process. God cares most about our spiritual efforts and our dedication to following Him. None of us will obtain a perfect testimony of every aspect of the gospel in this life. None of us is perfect. We just have to keep trying.
How do we gain a testimony? Not just by praying. In D&C 9:7-9, we learn that we need to first study a question out in our mind and then ask God if it's right. The process of studying can take years and should be multi-faceted, involving church worship, gospel conversations with trusted friends, scripture study, etc. With our own personal efforts, our spiritual understanding will grow little by little, not necessarily all at once.
During this process of studying, we continue to pray to God, seeking His wisdom. Then, in His own due time, God will answer our prayers and help us understand His will. It might take days, weeks, or even years to get our answer from God, but as long as we keep trying, God will honor our efforts.
You have a desire to grow your testimony, brother, and that is a great start. With personal effort and a lot of patience, I'm certain you can recover your faith. Best of luck to you on your spiritual journey.
Ammon
2012-10-13 13:58:54
The story of Joseph Smith
Hi anonymous. You are not alone. Just about all of us have had points in our lives where we have needed questions answered about the church. This is part of building strong testimonies. I think that your questions may have originated from a website or somebody talking about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith (probably negative things). We should expect this, because Satan is trying his hardest to fight against God's true church. May I suggest that you continue praying. Never stop praying.
I would also like to suggest reading a few books that will help answer questions that you may have about the BOM and JS (1."Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited, The evidence for ancient origins", 2. "Of Faith and Reason: 80 evidences supporting the prophet Joseph Smith", and 3."Critiquing the Critics of Joseph Smith"). These are just 3 of many, many books that support the truthfulness of the church and its origins. You can get these books at the FAIR bookstore: http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=21 I hope that these will help you. Those books and many others have helped me strengthen my testimony. The church is true but we have to prayerfully and faithfully study it to keep our testimonies strong. This is a lifelong task, that takes diligence, that all members of the church must do. God bless you.
Anonymous
2012-10-20 11:28:35
We believe the Bible is the Word of God, His sacred revelation to ancient prophets and apostles.
Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God? If you do, let it lay the foundation for your faith. Do you believe there is a God? How do you prove it to yourself? Do you look for His signature in the creation, in the beauty of the earth, etc.?
The Bible points to more scripture coming in the last days. Isaiah 29:10-18 (a book will cure spiritual blindness?) A book is delivered to a learned man - who can't read it because it is sealed and then it is given to one that is unlearned. Compare that to Joseph Smith's history 1:63-65. Ezekiel 37:15-23 speaks of writings from the tribe of Joseph to come forward before Israel is returned to their promised land. Read Genesis 49:22-26 - Joseph's decedents are promised to be fruitful somewhere other than in Israel. There is no fulfillment of that prophesy anywhere... Except in the Book of Mormon. See: 1st Nephi 5:14. Revelation 14:6, 7 says that an Angel will bring something called the Everlasting Gospel and have it preached around the world just before Christ's return. Since Israel is back in the promised land we should be able to see the fulfillment of these prophesies somewhere on earth.
I testify that God's signature is all over the Book of Mormon. It has archeological, historical and scriptural evidence to support it. Investigate it, meditate on it, digest it and ask God again. Read Matthew 24:14 and Daniel 2:28, 35, 44&45. I bear testimony that you are seeing fulfillment of these prophesies. God bless you.
Having established this baseline--this worst-case scenario that still wouldn't require you to leave the church--let's see if we can't build on that. What if the Book of Mormon is not literally true? Does that mean it isn't still allegorically true? Couldn't it still be a divinely inspired allegory? Most Christians recognize that much of the Bible (e.g., passages from Isaiah and Revelations) is allegorically but not literally true. Why couldn't the Book of Mormon be seen the same way? This isn't my personal view of the Book of Mormon, nor is it the view of the majority of members, but someone who sees the Book of Mormon as allegorically true can still assert that the book is true and that it was written under the influence of divine revelation.
How do we gain a testimony? Not just by praying. In D&C 9:7-9, we learn that we need to first study a question out in our mind and then ask God if it's right. The process of studying can take years and should be multi-faceted, involving church worship, gospel conversations with trusted friends, scripture study, etc. With our own personal efforts, our spiritual understanding will grow little by little, not necessarily all at once.
During this process of studying, we continue to pray to God, seeking His wisdom. Then, in His own due time, God will answer our prayers and help us understand His will. It might take days, weeks, or even years to get our answer from God, but as long as we keep trying, God will honor our efforts.
You have a desire to grow your testimony, brother, and that is a great start. With personal effort and a lot of patience, I'm certain you can recover your faith. Best of luck to you on your spiritual journey.
I would also like to suggest reading a few books that will help answer questions that you may have about the BOM and JS (1."Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited, The evidence for ancient origins", 2. "Of Faith and Reason: 80 evidences supporting the prophet Joseph Smith", and 3."Critiquing the Critics of Joseph Smith"). These are just 3 of many, many books that support the truthfulness of the church and its origins. You can get these books at the FAIR bookstore: http://bookstore.fairlds.org/category.php?id_category=21 I hope that these will help you. Those books and many others have helped me strengthen my testimony. The church is true but we have to prayerfully and faithfully study it to keep our testimonies strong. This is a lifelong task, that takes diligence, that all members of the church must do. God bless you.
The Bible points to more scripture coming in the last days. Isaiah 29:10-18 (a book will cure spiritual blindness?) A book is delivered to a learned man - who can't read it because it is sealed and then it is given to one that is unlearned. Compare that to Joseph Smith's history 1:63-65. Ezekiel 37:15-23 speaks of writings from the tribe of Joseph to come forward before Israel is returned to their promised land. Read Genesis 49:22-26 - Joseph's decedents are promised to be fruitful somewhere other than in Israel. There is no fulfillment of that prophesy anywhere... Except in the Book of Mormon. See: 1st Nephi 5:14. Revelation 14:6, 7 says that an Angel will bring something called the Everlasting Gospel and have it preached around the world just before Christ's return. Since Israel is back in the promised land we should be able to see the fulfillment of these prophesies somewhere on earth.
I testify that God's signature is all over the Book of Mormon. It has archeological, historical and scriptural evidence to support it. Investigate it, meditate on it, digest it and ask God again. Read Matthew 24:14 and Daniel 2:28, 35, 44&45. I bear testimony that you are seeing fulfillment of these prophesies. God bless you.