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Question #1 - Praying For Truth

Hello all:)

I have been told that here is the place to ask questions so I am hoping I will be able to without offending anyone. I am re-examining the LDS faith, after having been raised till the age of 14 as a Mormon. I am currently talking to a Mormon family, missionaries, my father and even a BYU professor to research the issues I have found. Do I need to have my questions answered here? No. But in a forum I am much more likely to get multiple answers quickly. Answers from people ranging from "just dabbling in Mormonism" to "highly educated and devout".

No "beyond a shadow of a doubt" answers. Just reasonable ones. I understand, realistically, that no faith can be proven true beyond a shadow of a doubt.

On top of that, I notice that the more people you ask the same question to, the more likely you are to get a bigger picture. Like interviewing 5 people from one event. Each one focuses on a different section of the entire truth. Talking to many people gives me a chance to see all the sections. I hope no one minds.

I am also basing my investingation off of a quote given by Orson Pratt:

"If, after rigid examination, it [the Book of Mormon] be found to be an imposition, it should be extensively published to the world as such; the evidences and arguments upon which the imposture was detected, should be clearly and logically stated, that those who have been sincerely yet unfortunately deceived, may perceive the nature of the deception, and be reclaimed..." Orson Pratt's works, Devine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, 1851, pp. 1-2

The definition of logic is: reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity. So, in the terms Pratt has designated, I must set forth to determine, logically, if the Book of Mormon is true based on clear evidence to establish validity.

With that being said, here is my first question:

James 1:5 states If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Where, in the bible, does it state that we must pray to recieve truth?

Truth Praying Question

Well, the simple answer to that question is to ask another question. What is wisdom? Doesn't wisdom essentially consist of knowledge of, and application of, TRUTH?

Many people have great knowledge of truth, whether it is medical, scientific, economic, or spiritual truth. However, we consider them either wise or foolish based upon how they deal with or use that truth.

Anyway, here are a couple of things you might want to consider.

Truth must be of some importance, as John specifically points out that Jesus brought it, along with grace.

Again, truth is linked directly to things that we are supposed to be seeking - mercy, righteousness, and peace.

Ooops. There is the smoking gun. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck.... Is it possible to get much clearer than that? True, the actual words - "seek out truth" is not there.

But, wait! There is more!

How can you have your loins girt about with truth, if you aren't seeking it? Do you just accept whatever your pastor, priest, imam, or rabbi tells you? Or, do you seek it out through fasting, prayer, and revelation?

I found several other clear discussions about truth in the Bible. Paul pointed out that he is considered an enemy of many - because he brought truth to them. One of the condemnations of men in the last days is that they are "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7)

One final scripture. I think it sums it ALL up.

Here Paul is pointing out that those who turn their ears away from truth will not endure sound doctrine. Since they are not seeking out and living by truth and sound doctrine, they follow fables - thus turning away from God.

I hope this helps in your search.

Question #1 - Praying For Truth Studies Doctrine Mormon

Here's the thing, though. And, please do not take offense to anything I am saying. I think of Mormons with great love and respect; for they truly do desire to serve the Lord. I, however, will be straight forward with my questions. I have found that trying to beat around the bush, for the sake of tact, leads to suspicion about my honesty.

So, my point: A person needs wisdom in order to find the truth. Take for instance, Jehovah's Witnesses. Many wonderful people with a great desire to help people find God. Problem is, without the wisdom needed to see through the lies of Watchtower, they are stuck in a vicious cycle of hearing the truth from others but not receiving it.

I agree, wholeheartedly, with every scripture you mentioned. Seeking out truth is extremely important. What I don't understand is why I am supposed to pray for truth? The testimony of the Holy Ghost, through a burning in the bosom, without actually putting forth effort to verify truth, seems very unbiblical. No offense. This is why I am asking for scripture which tells us the Holy Spirit will testify of the truth through sincere prayer.

Acts 17:11

The scriptures talk, many times, of knowledge. These people knew this because they saw it. They knew this because they knew the scriptures. They knew the truth because they had seen the evidence.

I am still not seeing anything which states we are supposed to trust a good feeling that we get by asking God if this or that is true.

This doesn't even take into consideration that every person feels something that tells them their faith is true. JW's, Mormons, Muslims, traditional Christians... All of us feel, from the bottom of our hearts, that our faith is the right one. I myself, when I speak to YHWH, get that warmth. But this is how it is for me. The warmth starts in my heart. An overwhelming feeling of joy and love. Then it swells... growing bigger and stronger, until it spreads throughout my whole body. All the way out to my fingers and down to my toes. This feeling, of joy and love, is so strong I want to shout praises to GOD ALMIGHTY!

So, if we are supposed to base our faith off of a warm feeling... who's warm feeling is right?

Luke 1

Luke did not instruct Theophilus to pray for the truth. Luke wrote down the eyewitness accounts so Theophilus could see the truth through the evidence. In Acts, we are told that the noble are ready in mind and search the scriptures daily.

Where is the biblical instruction to pray for a feeling that lets us know what is true?

Edited: 1ofhissheep on 12th Sep, 2006 - 7:26pm

Truth Praying Question

I have been a member for almost 20 years and I took a year to be baptised because I wanted to investigate the Church and study as much as I could. Pray was essential on my research but was not the only method that led me to the Truth and I never felt that the only thing that the missionaries were asking me was to "Pray for the Truth".

Then again, why should we prove something through the Bible since this is not the Bible Revealed board? The purpose of this board is to ask questions about the Latter-Day Saints, but you seem to know the answer of this question already based on your answers then I see no purpose for this thread.

Edited: LDS_forever on 12th Sep, 2006 - 9:00pm

Truth Praying Question

The purpose for this thread is because I am trying to connect the LDS doctrine with the biblical doctrine. I have been searching for the scriptures, I ask for, and cannot find them. However, the bible is also a big book and we are no longer in the age where people are known for memorizing the whole thing.

Just in case I missed a scripture, I needed to ask this question. My current conclusions, I have stated. However, if I am presented with a scripture, which says something different than my conclusion, I can concede the point and move to my next question.

Message Edited! Persephone: It is not necessary to quote the entire post of the user above you. See Constructive Posting Policy.

Question #1 - Praying For Truth

I think this answers your purpose here. I have warned you before in your Intro Thread, you are obviously not getting it, try it again and you will be deleted.

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