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[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. lii-liii. MORMONISM: Series Introduction. All rights reserved.]
The best way to know the Truth
Anyone who wishes to know the truth concerning the Book of Mormon or any other spiritual matter has at their disposal a simple and easy way of finding that truth. This approach is so easy that anyone, regardless of their education, knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, or status in life can find out if it’s really from God. Bible dictionaries, commentaries and lexicons aren’t needed. Even those who can’t read can easily find out spiritual Truth. This method of arriving at the Truth is so simple and easy, that because it is so obvious, many feel it can’t be right. However, this method is validated by the Bible as being the “official” methodology of finding the truth.
In logic, Ockham’s Razor states that the simplest and most credible solution is the correct one. Likewise with this method of arriving at the truth.
What is this great and simple methodology? Sincere prayer.
This is ultimately the only sure way to determine if the Book of Mormon is authentic. If it is, Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church and all of the other doctrines of the church have to be true as well.
It’s easy to demonstrate the strength of receiving an answer by honest study and prayer. This is succinctly summed up by a cute little sticker available at LDS bookstores:
God said it.
I believe it.
That settles it.
This has always been my spiritual motto. I don’t have any doubts God answered my sincere prayer to him concerning the Book of Mormon. It was this answer that made me join the church.
Despite the denial of our critics, there really is only one incontrovertible way to find out if the Book of Mormon is true: We have to read it, study it and go directly to our Father in Heaven and ask him in sincere prayer if it is true. If we ask him with a sincere heart, with real intent having faith in Christ, we will get an answer! (Jas 1:5; Eth 4:11; Moro 10:3-5). God’s witness is always greater than man’s (1 Jn 5:9-10) since spiritual truths need spiritual discernment, not intellectual rationality (1 Cor 2:14). Don’t ask a Mormon or anti-Mormon; ask God and believe him.
No matter what the problem may be, by bringing everything back to the Book of Mormon shows that the only real problem is whether or not that book is true.
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