As of right now I have not had any questions posted, so I am going to start with one that is as general, and as important as they come. Is there a God? Let's answer this using the Book of Mormon.
There is a passage of scripture in the Book of Mormon, where this very topic is presented to a missionary teaching the people of Nephi in their capitol city of Zarahemla. The missionary's name is Alma. He was talking with a man named Korihor. Korihor had been going around teaching the people that there was no God, no Christ to come, no Atonement for mankind's' sins, and no life after this one. In response to Korihor's teaching of false doctrines, Alma poses a question to him.
" 37 And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?" - (Alma 30:37)
Alma asks the same question that we have to a man who was preaching against the Lord. What happens next in the scriptures helps Korihor come to know the truth, and the reality of the existence of God.
39 Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.
40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true?
42 Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you...
43 And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words.
44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
45 ...And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign.
46 And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him: Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed.
47 ...therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
48 Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe.
49 Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.
50 Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma." - ( Alma 30:38-50)
Now today I hope that many of us do not need a sign just as Korihor demanded. I believe that as we earnestly seek in our hearts for the truth , then the testimony of one who knows of God's existence, just as Alma knew, and the confirming feeling of the Spirit within us, should be enough for us to know this for ourselves. Korihor's refusal to acknowledge the truth of God's existence eventually cost him his life. We later read in this same passage of scripture about Korihor's desperate attempt to be relieved of his "sign". He wrote is script to the people about how he knew that God existed, but that he had been deceived by the devil. His pleads to have his voice restored to him were not heard by the Lord. He eventually was killed by some of the people in a neighboring city who believed as he once did.
I know that there is a God. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He knows personally, and cares for each one of His children. I know this because I have read of His works in the Book of Mormon. I have prayed to know if these things are true. My prayers have been answered time and time again by that very God whom I know to be real. I hope that all of us can come to a knowledge of the truth and the divinity of God for ourselves. That is my prayer. In the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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