1. Discerning the Wind: responding to the “trump card” of Mormon personal religious experience

4. Who can argue with a testimony? Unbelievers may argue about our doctrine. They may wrest the scriptures to their destruction. They may explain away this or that from a purely intellectual standpoint, but they cannot overpower a testimony.” - Bruce R. McConkie (Ensign, April 1979, 24)

5. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.“ - John 3:8

6. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. - Romans 8:15-16

11. The Nature of “Testimony” in Mormonism 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. 7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

12. We are not required to prove the Book of Mormon is true or is an authentic record through external evidences—though there are many. It never has been the case, nor is it so now, that the studies of the learned will prove the Book of Mormon true or false. The origin, preparation, translation and verification of the truth of the Book of Mormon have all been retained in the hands of the Lord, and the Lord makes no mistakes. You can be assured of that. - Ezra Taft Benson (A Witness and a Warning) We do not have to prove that the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it.” - Ezra Taft Benson (A Witness and a Warning)

15. April 19, 1934: Colonel Robert Wilson, a surgeon, was driving along the north shore of the Loch early in the morning when he noticed something large moving in the water, so he stopped and took a picture of it. At least, that was his story. For the next sixty years this picture was regarded as one of the best pieces of evidence of Nessie’s existence. It wasn’t until 1994 that the full truth came out. What Wilson had taken a picture of was not the Loch Ness Monster. It was a toy submarine outfitted with a sea-serpent head. Moreover, Wilson himself hadn’t even taken the picture. He had simply been the frontman for an elaborate hoax.

17. “ The truth of it all can be known, they believe, by inspiration sought through prayer. Mormon missionaries want more than anything else for their prospective converts to pray for a testimony of the missionaries’ teachings. - Richard L. Bushman (Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction) “ Mormon parents hope and pray their children will gain testimonies that the ‘gospel is true.’ If they do, all else will fall into place. Growing children may ask questions and have doubts about particulars, just as Joseph Smith did, but if they pray and receive their own revelations, all will be well.” - Richard L. Bushman (Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction)

19. Survey Personal Testimony Questionnaire Age ______ Gender: M F 1. Do you have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true? (circle one) YES NO 2. From 0% to 100%, how certain are you that Joseph Smith brought the restoration of the Gospel and that the book of Mormon is true? ________ 3. From 0% to 100%, how much of this certainty is attributable to your testimony? __________ 4. Which one of the following best describes the nature of your testimony: (circle one) a) Knowledge through a warm feeling of peace and confidence from the Holy Ghost b) Knowledge through study, prayer and changes that the Holy Ghost has brought in your life c) Knowledge through the acceptance of authoritative teaching d) Other: _____________________________________________________________

24. "It is morally as bad not to care whether a thing is true or not, so long as it makes you feel good, as it is not to care how you got your money as long as you have got it." - Edwin Way Teale (1889-1980), Circle Of The Seasons, 1953