Recently a friend contacted me and expressed her deep concern for a family member who was struggling with her testimony. The family member’s husband had recently left the Church after reading some anti-mormon literature and was now trying to convince his young wife to do the same. My friend asked me to help in any way I could. I wrote her this letter:
Years ago I had a very close friend who suddenly began bombarding me with anti-Mormon literature. At the time I thought it was an opportunity for me to convert my friend. I now know that it was an opportunity for God to convert me. After years of discussing with this friend, questioning my beliefs and searching for answers, I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned.
God restored the keys of the priesthood through Joseph Smith. This was a unique responsibility and role for him alone. For this reason he is unlike any other modern day Prophet. The Restoration restored the gift of the Holy Ghost, which enables us to receive inspiration and Revelation for ourselves. God’s children have not always had this gift. They didn’t have it before the Restoration and they needed more direction and revelation through a prophet. We now have a “direct line” to God and are able to receive inspiration directly from Him.
Once that gift was restored through Joseph Smith, and people began to receive it ( and it took time to have that gift bestowed on the entire membership, and for them to learn how to use it), the people became able and expected to tap into that power of the Holy Ghost and receive learning and revelation from the Spirit directly. It is a greater personal responsibility and it takes a lot of work.
We don’t need some kind of formula or for someone to tell us when a Prophet is speaking by revelation and when he isn’t. We can find out for ourselves what is and isn’t inspiration, directly from God by using the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Our prophets today are “watchmen in the tower”. They receive warnings and counsel from the Lord for the specific time that we live in. We are free to act on or disregard their counsel.
We are not asked to follow blindly without question. We are encouraged and even counseled to use our minds and that Gift of the Holy Ghost to find out for ourselves if “these things are true” (D&C 9:8). Asking questions is a wonderful thing. It broadens our understanding when we look to God, not man, for the answers.
My advice is, when learning about the history of the church, try not to judge, but try to understand the people; their level of understanding, their circumstances, their needs and the world around them. They were all very different from what we experience today. There was only one perfect man who ever walked on this earth.
Don’t hold it against them if the Prophets and the members of Christ’s church are not perfect. Who are we to judge? They struggle in mortality just like all of us. Even prophets of old, like Jonah, were merely men answering a call to serve. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.”
As Latter Day Saints, do not have a monopoly on truth. There are many different sources, people, religions and books that have truth, and we can learn from them. What we do have, that no other church has, is the Priesthood and all the ordinances and blessings that come from it. I believe it was Joseph Smith jr. who said “the Church is to gather in all Truth no matter where it is to be found.” The invite is to all, "come join with us and bring your truths and share them with us, and we will share our truths with you.” I believe this is an admonishment from the Prophet to have an open heart and mind, and to not be closed to truth found in other sources. Do not be misled into thinking that because truth can be found in other places that this is not Christ’s Church restored. I learned a lot from my anti-Mormon friend about Christ that I hadn’t understood before, and I am so appreciative to her. I took it as a blessing from God, not as a condemnation of our Church.
The opposition you are experiencing is a blessing from your Heavenly Father. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but I assure you it is. He desires something greater for you, a greater knowledge and understanding of his Gospel. And he will see you through this journey, and give you the knowledge you desire if you will ask for his help. Your faith and obedience has brought you to this point, and while it has been a comfortable place for a time, it’s no longer enough and it is now time to grow and gain knowledge. Much like in the preexistence we came to a point where we could not progress any further and needed to embark on this risky, difficult mortal journey in order to grow and gain knowledge. But we have not been left to struggle through this experience without help. You have been given the Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost to guide you. Use them. Call on God in prayer morning and night, study your scriptures and you will find the answers you are looking for.
Pray for guidance while you search for answers. While you are researching, if something doesn’t feel right or fills your spirit with darkness, pull back. Listen to those feelings. If it is true, then it’s of God, and it will fill your spirit with light. Wait to feel that light of truth in your spirit and then follow it. Trust those prompting. The path to find your answer will open up to you, and then the answer will come to you. Usually in a way you do not expect. Be patient and trust in God’s timing. Write what you are learning. Pray to not be blinded by the “craftiness of men”, and use the scriptures in your research.
Your desire for more understanding is a good thing. It was a life changing journey for me and I know it can be for you as well. It will not be easy, just as Lehi’s and the Jaredite’s journey across the great sea was not easy, full of storms, waves and great beasts who would have set them off course. But just as the Lord gave Lehi the Liahona and the Jaredites the two pure stones full of light in their vessels, which provided light and guidance on their journeys, He has also given you the Light of Christ and The Holy Ghost within your “vessel” to guide you. Use them in the same way Lehi and the Jaredites were directed to, by continually calling upon the Lord for direction and help.
