How Do You Know It's True?

How do you know it is true? How do you know anything is true? You pray and have faith that it will be answered.

Lately, I have been thinking much of my own testimony and the testimony of others for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think of the many people I taught on my mission that were able to take the challenge of testing whether the Book of Mormon were true or if Joseph Smith is a true prophet. Those that were honest and seeking for knowledge gained a witness mostly through prayer and manifestations of how they felt.

Because prayer is something that Heavenly Father has commanded us to do, Satan then tells us not to pray.
It reminds me of a photo I have seen in emails forwarded around as you can see yourself down below.

How silly people must think I am for encouraging them to speak to someone who knows all and is willing to tell you if you but only ask. A desire to know if the first step, that often takes a lot of humbling of yourself. Then the next step is to show faith and pray about the matter. And when you pray, you must pray with the intent to act upon that answer (Moroni 10:3-5). 

So how do you know you got an answer and that it is a from God? Often people describe it as a burning in the bosom or chest. Others describe it as a feeling of peace or calmness. Others say it is a feeling of understanding and knowledge. I have felt it in many different ways. I, too, like those I taught on my mission was challenged by missionaries to know if the gospel of Jesus Christ were true and if Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. I was almost 10 years old when the missionaries came over for dinner and shared a message and asked me to pray. After they left, I quickly went up to my room and knelt by my bedside and asked Father in Heaven if the Book of Mormon were true and and if Joseph Smith received a vision. After I asked the question, I waited a few seconds and then began to feel serene peace and a strong thought to my mind that the answer to my question was yes. 

I have used this prayer and answer as an anchor to my testimony and an example to anything else I may ask. I do know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith really did see our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church here on the earth. I know the priesthood that was restored is a manifestation of God's love for his children. Even in my weakest moments I cannot deny this answer to my prayer. Just as Joseph said when asked about his experience said, "For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it..", I too can say the same thing and have dedicated my life on the basis of this knowledge. 

Can We Really Make A Difference?

What difference can I make? What difference can you make? Well, I guess that all begins with what and why you are trying to make a difference in. For me I am constantly thinking of what I can do for the Middle East and trying to make a difference sure seems impossible. Sometimes it is so incredibly frustrating that I think why do I even think I can do anything. But then I had my first day of class in Political Science of the Middle East class with Professor Donna Lee Bowen. She started off in her dignified way that she does, probably 5' 2'' in mid 50's and striking confidence, saying,

"Today in the Middle East there is great turmoil all over the place. And after 9/11 I thought what can I do to help my students and the people of the Middle East? I realized there was nothing I could do more than pray. So I'd like to start class with prayer and do the thing I know that works."

It hit right then that I may be just one individual but I pray for that peace. Professor Bowen prayed for our enemies, our loved ones, for understanding of each other, for peace, for protection, and for our service men and women. The next class session, she asked me to pray and then asked me to make sure I included the servicemen and women in the Middle East and their families.

Here is a extremely well educated woman in the politics of the Middle East and she says the only thing she can really do to help solve the problems in the Middle East is through prayer struck me hard. She spoke of peace being possible over there. She spoke of the great calamities that can be overcome and I took from that class period that I have forgotten the possibility through faith and prayer.

I had a dream the other night I was Lawrence of Arabia, a British soldier that helped gained unity with the Arab tribes to help form tribes. He did a great work to help the current problems at the time. But I don't know if I will ever be in situation to help them like he did. So why not pray when you want to make a difference in this world?