Study it Out
A friend told me the following that I will put into my own words:
My parents often told me the Church was true, but by the time I had reached adolescence, I still did not know for myself. One day, on a family camping excursion, my father told me of a way I could find out on my own. He told me to follow Joseph Smith's example and go into the woods and ask God in prayer, and I was to bring my scriptures with me.
I thought, 'oh sure, like God is going to appear to me as he did to Joseph.' I walked into the woods far enough that I was out of earshot but close enough to see camp. I then knelt down and began to ask God if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true.
After my lackadaisical prayer, I opened my eyes and nothing happened. I did not see or hear anything unusual and thought to myself, 'I knew nothing would happen.' As I got ready to return to camp, I suddenly pictured in my mind a scripture reference. I was to look up Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8. I had never read the Doctrine & Covenants but as I read these words, a burning sensation filled my soul.
7. Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
8. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
I was shocked. He had answered me. Even today, it brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. I have never doubted since that day and I will never forget the way it made me feel to know that despite the billions of souls on the earth, God was mindful of me.
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