Question: Will our manifestation of truth from the Holy Ghost be a "spectacular" witness?

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Questions

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" Sounds like if you don't get any real answer from the Holy Ghost that you should just keep on following the church and do everything you're suppose to do such as paying 10% of all your income to an organization that you do not know is true or not, and maybe you will slowly gain one and that may take many years or even a lifetime. It is suspicious when the leaders tell their members that the way to gain a testimony is to follow the leaders and some time in the future you may get a testimony but don't expect anything spectacular."
MormonThink

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Source(s) of the criticism

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

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• How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?

Ether 12:6 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Why should members expect to receive a spectacular revelation? Even if they see an angel, it wouldn't be that spectacular because he or she could question if it was really an angel, or just an illusion.

However, conversion is a process, Alma 32:33 states: "And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good"

Critics ignore that if members experience something really spectacular, then faith wouldn't be necessary, just like the brother of Jared didn't have faith anymore, Ether 3:19-20: "And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting. Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him"

• This church is about faith and growth

Receiving really spectacular experiences, is like skipping steps

Ether 12:6 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Spectacular experiences

Having spectacular experiences is something unusual and special, and should not be shared a lot, unless the person is indicated to do it

Preach My Gospel states:

"Revelation and spiritual experiences are sacred. They should be kept private and discussed only in appropriate situations. As a missionary, you may be more aware of spiritual experiences than you have been earlier in your life. Resist the temptation to talk freely about these experiences" ^[1]

President Boyd K. Packer said: “I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are called by proper authority to do so, they do not position us to counsel or to correct others. “I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of others” (Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53)

Foundation of testimony:

“Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly. This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. So does our claim to priesthood keys, and revelation, and the restored Church. But in like manner, if the Book of Mormon be true—and millions have now testified that they have the witness of the Spirit that it is indeed true—then one must accept the claims of the Restoration and all that accompanies it” (A Witness and a Warning [1988], 18–19)

Preach My Gospel states: "Rely on the promise in Moroni 10:3–5. Every person who sincerely reads and prays about this book can know with certainty of its truthfulness by the power of the Holy Ghost." ^[2]

For more information, see FAIR'S response

Book of Mormon/Moroni's promise

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Answer

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== Notes ==

1. [note]  Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), pg.99
2. [note]  Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (2004), pg.111

Further reading

FairMormon Answers articles

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Topics

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FairMormon web site

• FAIR Topical Guide:
• Blake T. Ostler, "Spiritual Experiences as the Basis for Belief and Commitment," (2007 FAIR Conference Presentation). FAIR link
• Wendy Ulrich, "'Believest thou...?': Faith, Cognitive Dissonance, and the Psychology of Religious Experience," FAIR link

External links

• Daniel C. Peterson, "Reflections on Secular Anti-Mormonism," FARMS Review 17/2 (2005): 423–450. off-site FAIR link
• How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?
• What Is the Role of the Book of Mormon?

Printed material

• PREACH MY GOSPEL, A GUIDE TO MISSIONARY SERVICE ISBN 9780402366171