My experience in the MTC regarding BoM.
When I was at the MTC, the first three days were the Hardest. They were made 10x harder because I had to learn a new language. On the Saturday before, I was feeling it the hardest. I mean, I never would have quit, but I was feeling close to it. It happened again when I was made DL a couple of weeks later, just an overwhelming feeling, so overwhelming. What got me through that first instance? My MTC teacher read some of Ether 3 to us. Even in Spanish, I could feel it penetrate my soul, speaking directly to me in that instance. What about it? The Brother of Jared's faith, Mahonri Moriancumer. He had so much faith, enough to see the Lord's finger. Because of this faith, so much opened up to him. His testimony was strengthened. He had knowledge. I bawled when this realization occurred to me that lonely night in the MTC. I knew that my faith was being tested, and that I could be as strong as the Brother of Jared. I miss those MTC days. As I have said before, RELISH this time. You will never have it again. YOLO.
3 Nephi 11:32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
Excerpt from letter to Jacob:
One of the regrets I have of my mission would have been being unprepared of showing the truthfulness of the book of mormon to investigators. Being the scriptorian I am, I was sorry about not thoughtfully choosing particular scriptures from the Book of Mormon that applied to the investigator. I mean, what are the most shared scriptures: 3 Nephi 11 and Moroni 10:3-5. why? Do you know why? Do you have a testimony of those particular scriptures? What about other scriptures? Are there specific scriptures that work better in other instances? OF COURSE THERE IS. That is why you need to be VERY familiar with the book of Mormon. The Book of the Mormon is the key to this Gospel, because if you don't believe in the Book of Mormon, we can't believe in Joseph Smith and the revelations he and all the successive prophets have received.
Excerpt from letter to Jacob:
I learned something that I thought could apply to you. In Quentin L Cooks talk entitled "Foundations of Faith" from last conference he said, "Every decision I would make for the rest of my life would be based on the answers to those three questions."
What are the questions, you might ask?
1. Was Jesus Christ divine?
2. Was the Book of Mormon true? and
3. Was Joseph Smith the prophet of the Restoration?
You will (and I know you) have to gain a testimony of these three things, and with the power of the Holy Ghost, your testimony will reach the hearts of the men and women you teach. If you read on in the talk at that point, Elder Cook talks about his brother deciding to go on a mission, despite having a less active dad. Good talk. Read it.
Excerpt from Elder Cook’s talk Foundation of Faith:
An experience I had when I was 15 years old was foundational for me. My faithful mother had valiantly tried to help me establish the foundations of faith in my life. I attended sacrament meeting, Primary, then Young Men and seminary. I had read the Book of Mormon and had always prayed individually. At that time a dramatic event occurred in our family when my beloved older brother was considering a potential mission call. My wonderful father, a less-active Church member, wanted him to continue his education and not serve a mission. This became a point of contention.
In a remarkable discussion with my brother, who was five years older and led the discussion, we concluded that his decision on whether to serve a mission depended on three issues: (1) Was Jesus Christ divine? (2) Was the Book of Mormon true? (3) Was Joseph Smith the prophet of the Restoration?
As I prayed sincerely that night, the Spirit confirmed to me the truth of all three questions. I also came to understand that almost every decision I would make for the rest of my life would be based on the answers to those three questions. I particularly realized that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was essential. In looking back, I recognize that, primarily because of my mother, the foundations were in place for me to receive the spiritual confirmation that evening. My brother, who already had a testimony, made the decision to serve a mission and ultimately won our father’s support.
Excerpt from President Monson’s conference talk The Power of the Book of Mormon:
This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.
We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Because the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church on the earth, and the holy priesthood of God has been restored for the benefit and blessing of His children.
If you do not have a firm testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony in these difficult times, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study.
My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.
Mormon 8:34 Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.
35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
Alma 5:45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.
47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.
48 I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.
D&C 76:22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
Jesus to Nicodemus:
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
On receiving a testimony:
For some, receiving a testimony is a very vivid experience. For others, it is less spectacular, but it is no less important or valuable. Elder Loren C. Dunn said, “It may not come like a flash of light (I don’t know how the Lord is going to communicate with you), more than likely it will be the reassurance and a feeling in your heart, a reaffirmation that will come in a rather calm, natural but real way from day to day until you come to a realization that you do know” (“Watch Therefore: For Ye Know Not What Hour,” University of Utah Institute devotional, 10 Nov. 1972, 5).
