The Joseph Smith Experience

All people have a problem of some sort, each of these problems can be solved through the gospel of Jesus Christ. One must take the steps necessary to receive the help they are looking for. What is that step that we should take to find the solutions to our problems? The very first thing we must do to find the solution to our problems is to come to know that the gospel is true for ourselves.

How does one come to know that it is true? There are the simples answers that we always hear, like read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. This statement is true, and it is probably the most important thing that someone can do to know if the Gospel is true. But there are further steps that we can do to find an answer.

Let’s take Joseph Smith’s experience, and his quest to know what church was right. In Joseph Smith History, it talks about what things Joseph did to find an answer to his questions. These are some of things that my mission president pointed out in which Joseph Smith did to find an answer:

1.      He had a question. Like I said before everyone has a question or problem they would like solved, Joseph Smith’s case was not different. His question was which church is true? (Joseph Smith- History: 10)

2.      He went to many different sources, and looked at all the different beliefs of other religions. Joseph Smith attended many different churches often, and he listened to what they had to say. (Joseph Smith- History: 8-9)

3.      He studied the scriptures. He searched for an answer in them, and he ended up finding what he needed to do next, as he read James 1:5. ( Joseph Smith- History: 11)

4.      He took everything that he had learned and he reflected on it, as he put it, “again and again.” ( Joseph Smith- History: 12)

5.      He then decided to act on what he read in James 1:5, so he prayed and asked God what church was right. ( Joseph Smith- History: 13)

Everyone must take these same steps to find the truth for themselves. We read in the scriptures, “Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). I know that as we search, ponder and pray that we can find the answer to our questions, and we can know that this is Christ’s Church on the earth, and that it can bless our lives, bring peace to our hearts, and joy to lives! If we humble ourselves and search for truth as Joseph Smith did, we will find an answer. Our answer may not come in the same form that Joseph Smith’s did, but we will get an answer.

To read more about the experiences of Joseph Smith and his experience to know the truth please read, Joseph Smith- History.