How often does the Mormon challenge to "ask God if it's true" backfire?

Question

We don't hear the stories of the millions of people who have prayed about Joseph Smith and experienced either...

a) nothing (because no one answered the prayer)

or

b) a really bad feeling that was interpreted as an answer from God.

Do we?

Answer 1

Ask God if it's true generally comes with a predetermined answer.

Answer 2

What this actually means, is that how we think our prayers will be answered, is not always, how they are answered! A good friend and spiritual sister has had horrible problems with her husband. She has constantly prayed for help, but nothing seemed to change and then, amazingly just this week, her husband has done a complete change about! Basically, he was "marked" which means that he had been spoken to by our elders and warned to make changes and if he did not, they would have no choice but to discipline him, and so they did and our sister was saying that she can't believe the difference and for the first time in a long time, in their marriage, he is working very hard and she suddenly feels love again for him, because she feels for him. When she phoned and told me this, she said: I never imagined Jehovah would answer my prayers like this! Also, God's Help is not always obvious, but when we open our heart up, we realise that He has helped in some way. We are an imperfect lot and what we want to happen, is not always, how our Creator thinks, but for those who get to know a BIT of our Creator's Thoughts, we appreciate that He knows us better than we know ourselves and what ever happens, will always benefit us.

Answer 3

Here's one backfire right here.

I prayed about the truth of the Book of Mormon when I was 18 when I studied with the missionaries.
I got nothing. No burning in the bosom, no voice of God. Nada. Of course, I never received any answers to any prayer that I asked then because my life was so screwed up.
I ended up getting baptized LDS anyway because I liked a cute blonde who was Mormon and I loved her family.

I didn't go to church after I went in the Navy 3 months later, and lost all faith in God when my devoutly Baptist mother died in a house fire a few years later. I moved to Ohio, and I actively set out to tell my Mormon friends how the Book of Mormon was hokey crap and that there was no reason to hold yourself back in this life.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: If you keep reading, then I will have no chance at Best Answer if I interpret your beliefs correctly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In August of last year, my also atheist wife had a horrific accident overseas in which she was crushed under a car but lived. I questioned my existance and who I was... who I had become.

I remembered the scriptures saying that repentance comes when you pray with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. So, I thought for 2 days about what I would say to God if He existed... how I would pray for repentance.

So I did, but I asked for clarity. Specifically, I asked for a sign that He was there and that He loved me.. that I would do anything for His kingdom if He existed.

The next day, 3 LDS missionaries showed up at my door (I later found out that they were lost prior to an appointment) and told me specifically that God loved me and that He wants me to be close to him... again.

I then began to clean up my life and my body as a temple to the Holy Spirit, and I began to receive the answers I'd so desperately sought from both spiritual and academic means.
Now I am a ward missionary in Fairfield, OH, and I love my relationship with Christ.

If the Book of Mormon were not true and I was the member of a cult, I doubt that God wouild pour such great blessings out upon my life when I ask for things and blessings in His name.

Answer 4

One thing a person needs to remember is that God answers prayers in His own time and in HIs own way.

I remember the first time I read the Book of Mormon was in 9th grade...I read and re-read what the girl who gave it to me had told me to read...I waited and expected something to happen right then. but nothing happened to me at that time.

About 10 yrs. later I had some very powerful spiritual experiences...One of which was that God confirmed to me that the book of Mormon was true...in a very powerful way.
It was at that time (later in my life) that I really needed to know what was going on...So that is the time God chose to answer my sincere inquiry from so many years back...

It is God's promise...so I would have to answer that a person will ALWAYS get an answer...it is only a question of timing (The Lord's time).

Answer 5

Sir Network, I read the rest and I award you a best answer.

It never backfires. It works every time.

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Answer 6

I suspect it backfires at least as often as a T Model Ford.

Answer 7

For me it was a creepy feeling. It was the day I got baptized in 1969. I knew there was something wrong I just didnt know what it was until I was 40 years old. Its to bad the majority of the people that leave the church just become Atheists. They never realize that there is a true and living God and his name is Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

by backfire I assume you mean the "answer" they got was not what the member hoped they would get, it happens lots, not everybody can hear the Holy Ghost, and not everyone is sincere even when they say they are.

Answer 9

2telldat,

I have family that just got involved with Mormonism. If you are willing to discuss what lead you to leave, and how I might be constructive with my family, please email me. Click on my username and you can send me a message at my yahoo.com account.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

Answer 10

I just asked God if it's true and he didn't answer.
Odin got a chuckle out of it though.