I received this thoughtful answer to a video I posted on YouTube. It was intended to tell me I was interpreting the scriptures wrong. And one of my biggest errors was being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The individual said that a “burning in your bosom” was false and you could be deceived by such. Then they went on to use the bible along with other LDS scriptures to make the claim that my testimony was false or misguided.
He made the argument that LDS scriptures conflict with the bible. D&C Section 9:8-9 & Moroni 10:4 both tell us that we can feel truth. Proverbs 28:26 tells us we can not.
D&C 9:8-9
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.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9?lang=eng
Moroni 10:4
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Moroni 10 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Proverbs 28:26
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Proverbs 28 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Well, those are two opposing views. But honestly, Proverbs? I get the feeling when reading that verse that it is more about trusting the “flesh” or “arm of flesh” than the Holy Ghost. I think the argument he is making is weak. God the Holy Ghost is:
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
PERSONALLY – When I gained my testimony and ever sense then, almost every deeply spiritual expereince I have had has involved some type of feeling. They seem to be the experienecs that touch every part of my body. They feel the most personal. It’s almost as though when I kneel and pray, the Lord knees beside me and puts his art around me. And I feel it, across my back and it radiats up and down my back feeling the deepest part of my sould with peace and love. Much like hte scripture in galations says. Often in those moments I am fileed with charity and compassion. I find myself willing to be humble an suffer the will of God in my life and I beleive all those feelings are the same as those mentioned in Galations 5:22-23.
His argument goes on to say that we must study and test truth. I don’t dispute that. That goes back to D&C 9:8-9 where were are told to study it out in our mind. I’ve done that and there are times things have not made sense. That is when I have relied upon the spirit to tell me what is true. I have had many instances when I have brought something before the Lord. In my prayers I have looked at all the perifrial issues. Then I have asked for the Lords help in knowing what is true. This has included questions about life as well as gospel teachings.
My friend said that we should test truth and study it out. He shared the following scriptures: 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:12-2:3; 1 Thes. 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
2 Peter 1:12
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
2 Peter 1 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
I’m sorry, but as I read those, I didn’t see anything that conflicted with “feeling the holy ghost.” Why would we not study? Why would we not seek truth. Though we speak of our feelings and we speak of being filled with the Holy Ghost, that does not mean we blindly follow.
The bible tells us that on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4 4 “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,” and likewise in Acts 4:31 they were likewise filled with the Holy Ghost and what did it do? It caused them to speak with boldness. I beleive they would have spoken with boldness becauses of the burning in thier bosom. The fire and testimony of truth was bringing with in them.
He went on to make a number of claims against the church and his own testimony that it is not true. I’m not going to get into that. But, I appreciate him sharing.
@brettpinion4233 went on to make a number of claims agains the church and share his own testimony that it is not true. I appreciate him sharing, but I’m not going to get into that. It is the first response I have ever had on any of my content (blog, facebook, instagram, reddit, youtube) So yes, thanks. He started by calling me “freind.” That is a great place to start.
The argument, that you can not gain testimony because of your feelings, I would argue is just simply wrong.
Luke 24:32
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Luke 24 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
D&C 8:2-3
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
Doctrine and Covenants 8 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Ezekiel 40:4
4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 40 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
As I read that last one, Ezekiel 40:4; there will be a day that we each behold him with our eyes and we will see and know that all the workmanship of his hands were before is. We will see his hand, and see the nail prints in his hands. At that point what will you do? Will you be past feeling that God cannot touch your heart?
I have a feeling that your bosom will burn and your heart and soul will be filled with a few emotions. One is the complete nothingness that you are before him. Two is the understanding that you are completely reliant upon him for redemption. And Third, the complete and pure love that he has for you. And when you feel that it will be so deep and wide that you will feel your soul cannot contain it all.
I beleive in a loving God. One that desires his children to be happy. That is why he sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for us. He did, what we could not do for ourselves. He atoned for our sins.
I remember the day I felt I had been forgiven of my sins. As a young man I made many mistakes. By the grace of God I found my way back. I turned to him and changed my life. One day, I was sitting in an institute class (religous class at the University). I was listening to the instructor (Doug Brenchley) talk about forgiveness. As he talked the Holy Ghost spoke to me. It was completely unexpected. It said, “I have forgive you.” then it went on to say: “You need to forgive yourself.” The experience was accompanied by the most amazing feeling I have ever felt in my life. My body and soul was filled in a way I almost can’t explain. I started crying in class. It was like flood gates had been opened and the water just poored out of my eyes. I can still hear and feel the experience today it was that impactful of an experience.
I do not doubt that one of the strongest conduits to God is through our feelings. It is that testimony of the spirit. That confirmation to our soul that testifies of the greatest eternal truth, Jesus Christ. It is more powerful than witnessing miracles. It causes our fait to grow. It enlightens our minds and helps us decern what is true from what is false.
I hope that my friend @brettpinion4233 will come to know God the way I know him. And that he will feel the fire of faith and love of God burn in his bosom.