Posted by I was raised in a strong family with pioneer heritage on both sides — generations of faithful Saints who sacrificed everything to follow what they knew to be right and true. There was never any hesitation in our home about the Gospel, a living prophet, the Book of Mormon — anything. Those truths were woven into our everyday life. Every morning we’d wake up early for family scripture study. We gathered for Family Home Evening every week. We never missed a session of General Conference. We attended Church meetings whether we were home or on vacation, and whether the chapel was 5 minutes away or 45.
However, as a teenager I developed serious doubts, and they were difficult for me to process. The story of Joseph Smith suddenly seemed ridiculous to me. Why and how would he have received a literal, personal visit from The Father and The Son? And angels too?? The Book of Mormon’s origin and translation were crazy. I thought about it daily as I drove to and from work and school. What was I doing? Why was I wasting my time with the Church? I had many internal struggles, but I never shared them with anybody.
After many months of back and forth and beating myself up with concern after concern, I felt an unmistakable prompting to read my Patriarchal Blessing. I heeded the nudge, found some alone time in my bedroom, and studied it. It reminded me that Joseph, who was 14 years of age in the restoration, was nearly the same age as me at the time I had received my Patriarchal Blessing. It stressed the importance of listening to the subtle whispers of the Holy Ghost. It encouraged me to take at least 15 minutes every day to study the scriptures.
So I recommitted from that moment to live worthy of the Holy Ghost. It took months, but I read the Book of Mormon from beginning to end. I prayed more often, and more fervently than I ever had, that God would somehow reveal the truth to me. I had full faith that my mind and heart would gain clarity.
I don’t remember having had a miraculous, testimony-building moment wherein the Spirit stopped me in my tracks to tell me the Book of Mormon was the real deal or that Joseph Smith’s claims were right. I can’t pinpoint a solitary experience or time during that process when I gained a testimony of those things. I do remember often feeling warmth, joy, and fulfillment as I studied and prayed. Little by little, my doubts subsided and were replaced by faith, knowledge, and confidence.
I learned to tune my spiritual ears to the Holy Ghost, and that He can do nothing but testify of truth. I have felt His guidance and warm influence many times since then, and I can never deny those experiences. I’m grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me, and who spoke to me through my Patriarchal Blessing. What I found there was what I needed to jump start my personal journey of faith, and to find my own light.
I know the Book of Mormon is God’s word. I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration. I have no doubt.
Book of Mormon Testimonies 