"When Doubt Puts Truth On Trial"

In quiet contemplation. In the silence of thy thoughts.
Questions challenge from dark places. Testing as they taunt!

Truth and virtue put on trial! By faithless blinded souls.
God's works dismissed. They tell their lies. As prophets oft foretold.

The burning bosom aflame ignites! Driving out the doubt!
Reminders firm of blessings past! And miracles that shout!

The clouds they part! The sun it shines! The air so fresh enjoyed!
God's finger points! For all to see! His majesty employed!

When troubled words invade thy mind. Take heart! And do not fear!
God's grace will answer, "Peace to thee!" With answers spoken clear!

POET'S COMMENTS

As the Second Coming approaches, the fiery darts of Satan will unceasingly plague mankind. These fiery darts will come in the form of doubtful thoughts and temptations, all skillfully deployed by the Master of Deception. These doubts will lead astray and destroy many of God's children. But, God has provided a shield of righteousness to protect His children.

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Nephi 15:24)

The existence of God, the reality of a divine plan, the individual relationship of the Father to His children, the existence of His Church on the earth, with each living soul will all be "put on trial." Questions challenging truth will proliferate. "If God lives then why did this happen?" "If the Church is true, then why . . . . ?" "If the prophet is a prophet then why . . . ?

These fruitless efforts to question God and His kingdom, to discredit eternal truths that have been given, also demonstrates one's lack of understanding of the whole process to acquire truth. Surely it is much easier to dismiss the truth rather than to seek it. Many misguided souls attempt to disprove truth, rather than prove it. A witness of truth only comes as God has prescribed.

The formula is simple. It begins with repentance, followed by keeping all of His commandments, living sacred covenants, demonstrating humility, enduring with patience and long suffering, offering daily service, engaging in endless and earnest prayer. Then is when, the answers are granted by divine providence. A burning in the bosom will come. (D&C 9:8) And it will come with power and by authority.

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)

Acknowledging and remembering past witnesses, which created the initial burning testimony within, will give reassurance when temptation to disbelieve is introduced. Consider the miracles and blessings experienced when God revealed, "I am here. This is thy witness!"

There will always be those disturbing obsessions of others to prove what God has revealed is false. Ignore them for what they are, the fiery darts of Satan. The adversary does indeed attempt to use ignorance and lack of understanding to create doubt.

The Spirit will always answer with peace once we have returned to the prescribed formula. Then God feeds us the bread of life and nourishes our soul with answers of truth.. He will give us what we need after we have earned the right to receive it.

The whispers of truth will be heard. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
(John 14:27)