The Mormonizing of America (BOOK EXCERPT, PT 4)

---

The presidential race of Mitt Romney and the success of the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon have generated new interest in Mormonism. Stephen Mansfield's book The Mormonizing of America provides a careful study of this growing religion. The Book Stop blog is posting excerpts from the first two chapters of this book.

In Search of True Religion

Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.

—Joseph F. Smith, LDS President

It is a bright first Sunday in April and Jenny Mills cannot wait for this morning’s meeting to start. It is Testimony Sunday. She has been fasting. The Spirit has given her an impression. Now, finally, on Testimony Sunday, she will declare her faith.

She has watched these special days come and go through the years but never has she felt that special prompting. She knows what it is, though. She visited Temple Square years ago with her parents and the missionary tour guides asked if anyone in her group felt anything—a strong emotion, a particular thought, even a “burning in their bosom.” Jenny did. It was very strong and had begun just as she stepped onto the Temple grounds. When she returned home from vacation, she talked to some Mormon friends about what to do next. Sometime later, she was baptized. It was the best decision of her life.

Still, it has been more than a year and a half and she has yet to share in a meeting. The older women told her that it is not enough to want to share. It must be something more, a prompting or stirring from the Spirit. This time she has already felt it—a testimony from Heavenly Father. Perhaps it is strong this time because she is fasting, doing without food and water for a day just like all the other Saints. One of her friends made her laugh when she joked that it is a law of physics that time slows down in proportion to how long you go without food. It seemed that way this time. But then she felt that special knowing and was glad she had obeyed.

Every time she has sat in the chapel with her brothers and sisters, all doing without food and water and giving the money they save to the poor, she has felt a sense of belonging that nearly makes her weep. She knows she is part of something holy and eternal. She never knew anything like it outside in the sectarian church.

Now the testimonies are beginning. All throughout the chapel mothers keep their children in check and fathers listen carefully to what is said. They are the priesthood and must discern the hearts of everyone who shares. Jenny listens to that sweet Miss Garfield, nearly eighty, and to eight-year-old Tommy Dane, and to those two handsome missionaries just back from the field. What miracles they’ve seen! Heavenly Father has proven himself once again.

It is her turn. She stands, walks to the appointed place, and looks fully into the faces she loves so much. She says something light and humorous to ease her nervousness, something about only being nineteen and about how everyone probably thought she had done something wrong since she has never shared. The kind faces and smattering of laughter settle her. Then she says what she has been eager to say, what she has heard so many hundreds before proclaim. It is what Heavenly Father has given her a certainty about: “I know that Joseph Smith is the true Prophet of God and that he restored the true gospel. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true Church. I believe the Book of Mormon to be the true word of God. I believe that President Robert S. Monson is the only true Prophet upon the earth. I have this testimony from Heavenly Father.”

Jenny sweeps her eyes around the room and sees the satisfaction in each face. She feels their acceptance. She wants to go further. Then a phrase comes to her. She’s not sure where she first heard it but she remembers that it felt so confident, so certain about spiritual things. The Spirit must be giving her the words: “In fact, I want to say that without a doubt, I know as Thomas knew.”

It was the strongest thing she knew to say. Just as the apostle Thomas had put his hands in the scars of Jesus to become certain that the Son of God was raised from the dead, Jenny is certain by the impression of the Spirit that what she has said is true: Joseph Smith was who he said he was. Everything he proclaimed was true. The Book of Mormon, the Church, and the true Prophet living today—Jenny has testimony of it all. And now she has given that testimony among the Saints. It is a holy thing. She isn’t sure what she sees on the faces of the people. Perhaps they are proud of her. She hopes so. But she has affirmed the greatest truth she knows to the people she loves the most: “Joseph Smith is the greatest man who ever lived.”

Leave a comment and / or appreciate the article!

CLICK HERE to read more:» http://www.radio-elshaday.de/

CLICK HERE to read more:» http://www.radio-megapower.de/

CLICK HERE to read more:» http://christliche-radiosender.blogspot.com/

CLICK HERE to read more:» http://radiomegapower-nonstop.blogspot.de/

Posted by: Daniel Ioan Notar *DJ_DANY*