One thing that I have learned over the past 20 years is that faith in ANYTHING is gained slowly through multiple experiences. This Last experience seemed to hit the nail on the head for me.
The story begins In Spencer, Iowa during my 2 year full-time mission. I had only recently arrived in Iowa after spending some time training Utah. I soon realized that I was asking people to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask if it was true, but I had never done so. I took some time out of my morning study to do just that. I read the same scriptures I ask everyone else to read the Introduction, 3 Nephi 11, and Moroni 10:3-5 and then went into the bedroom to pray.
I got on my knees and began a very heartfelt prayer, or so I thought. I thanked God for what I had and asked with faith in God, a sincere heart, and real intent if the Book of Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Then I sat and waited for an answer, a feeling that it was true.
Then it happened, actually I guess it was nothing that happened. I felt like I didn't recognize my answer I confused and worried that I could not recognize the spirit. I was a missionary recognizing the spirit is an important part of every aspect of my day. Unfortunately it was time for me and my assigned missionary companion to plan for the day and study together.
We reviewed with each other what we both had studied. But to be honest I wasn't paying attention, I was thinking about my own worries and struggles. I then had a thought! As missionaries we are given a handbook called "Preach my Gospel" and in this handbook is a section about the spirit. There was a table in this section with scriptures on one side and things the spirit does for us on the other. I decided to go and start reading through these, maybe I could find an answer.
I started with the first one leading to a section of modern revelations called "Doctrine and Covenants". It continued with a few in the Book of Mormon, then I came to one that I almost skipped over. I already knew what this scripture in Alma 32:28 was, I didn't need to read it. But something told me that I should read it anyway.
As I read this scripture every line and every word was filled with new meaning and filled me with peace. I was so much as reading words on a page but being taught by an ancient volume of Holy script. No man could have written this and have had the same effect even with years of training, education, and all the resources in the world.
I end with my own personal witness that I now Know that the Book of Mormon is God's Word and Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.
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