Dear Gramps: I have a friend who was “born” in the Mormon Church – having joined before he was 8 years. He fears that he does not have a testimony of the restored gospel but knows “through logic that it is true.” He is now keeping himself aloof from the Church and claims that he is not loved by the Godhead, since he does not receive a testimony after having struggled and fasted for one. I have tried my best to help but my endeavors are just not sufficient. Please help save a precious child of our Father. Sivuyile, from South Africa Dear Sivuyile, I have no idea how old your friend is, which would make a difference in how one would respond to his dilemma. One thing to consider, he may be expecting some grand manifestation in answer to his prayer, when the Father has already given him a testimony that he mistakenly attributes to logic. The fact is that no one can ever know by logic the Mormon Church is true. Paul tells us—
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:11).
We must look carefully at this scripture from 1 Corinthians. As it is stated no one may know the things of God. Only the Spirit of God may know them. However, that verse was rendered a little different in Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible In the JST version that verse reads as follows—
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.
Here it is clear and unequivocal that in order to know the things of God, one must have the Spirit of God. When your friend was baptized he received by the laying of hands of authorities possessing the holy Melchizedek Priesthood the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. It is by that gift, rather than by some supposed logic that he knows that the Church is true. But since that knowledge is given by the Holy Spirit, but if loses the companionship of that Spirit he may remember the facts, but he will no longer have any assurance that they are true. Your friend might also study very carefully Section 6 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here the Lord gives Oliver Cowdery to know that he had received a revelation from the Lord and was completely unaware of it Verses 15-17 are as follows—
Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth; Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee–that the words or the work which thou hast been writing are true.
Gramps