Who Should We Trust?

by Robert Rosskopf

Ever since Joseph Smith first told people about the vision that he had received, there has been two separate and opposing views on Latter-Day Saint historical events. When apprised of Joseph's experience, a Methodist preacher told him that "it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them. " (Joseph Smith - History 1:21) Never has it been more important to distinguish the credibility of witness testimony. How can we determine who to trust? Whose testimony is most credible?

There are many voices in the world, each promoting their own viewpoints. These viewpoints are often completely at odds with the viewpoints of others. The Atheists proclaim there is no God, and put their trust in science and reason. The Agnostics claim that there is no way to know whether or not there is a God. The Catholics believe in God, and rely on their traditions to support their belief. The Protestants trust the word of the Holy Bible more than they trust the Catholic traditions.
Latter-Day Saints trust in modern prophecy through living prophets, and in the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Which of these positions has the firmest foundation, and is most apt to be trustworthy?

Science and reason have certainly brought us a great deal of understanding about the world around us. Is it trustworthy? Can we rely on its theories and postulates to reveal the truth of our environment? Science does not recognize the realm of the spiritual or supernatural. Although many scientists believe in the supernatural, science itself does not confirm its existence. The scientific method requires that a person propose a theory to explain the workings of the world and universe around us. The simplest theory that explains the known facts is the preferred theory.
When the popular theory is proven false, new theories are postulated. This evolution of scientific belief has been going on for many years. Most theories are eventually proven false, leaving a core of theories that seem to withstand the test of time, much like holy writ. How can we know that the theories currently favored by science won’t also be proven false? It is better to trust the process, than the outcome, since science is continually evolving. It is a fallacy to assume that the easiest explanation is always going to be correct.

Can a person know whether or not there is a God? If a supernatural being appears to a person, they might have a certain level of confidence in their senses, and believe the evidence before their eyes. Although someone could define God as unknowable, this circular logic presents us with no meaningful information about God. The observance of a supernatural being is strong evidence of a supernatural world, but does not necessary give one confidence in what ever message such a being might deliver. We find it hard to trust other people that have mortal bodies – why should we trust someone who doesn’t? The fallacy of the agnostic is their belief that we shouldn’t rely on our senses. In fact, there is nothing else we can rely on. Only through our senses can we perceive the world.

How reliable are traditions? Research has shown that traditions evolve over time, and are a very unreliable source of information. The ride of Paul Revere, made famous by a poem, has found its way into many history books. The only trouble is that it never actually happened. Rumors and legends passed down through time by word of mouth are the least reliable of all sources of information. Can truth be identified by its popularity? If enough people believe in a lie, does it become true? If enough people disbelieve a truth, does it become false? I have no confidence at all that popular vote should determine what is true, and yet that is exactly what happened at the council of Nicea and the council of Athanacious. Doctrines were given the official seal of the universal or Catholic church by vote.

What about the Bible? Many people believe the scriptural canon to be inerrant, and therefore a reliable source of knowledge. If so, then why are there so many conflicting Christian churches – all claiming to follow the scriptures? Although bibles are printed today as a single book, they are actually collections of books believed to be inspired. At different times in history, different sects of Christianity have believed in different canons of scripture. Many books which are not found in today’s bible were once found in ancient collections of inspired writing. The Book of Enoch, for example, was very popular among both Jews and Christians at the time of Christ. The books in the modern Bible themselves refer to other sacred books, long lost to history. Where are the books of Nathan the Prophet or Iddo the Seer? Our modern Bible was assembled by Catholic priests, who left out the more controversial books, like Enoch. Protestant faiths have further narrowed the number of books which they consider inspired. In each case, the same question arises... How do we know which books are inspired of God? An equally valid question is How can we know if a book is authentic and unchanged?

That leaves us with prophets and revelation. Most of the books in the modern canons of scripture claim their authority from the authors, who were considered to be prophets or apostles. Of course not every book that claims to be written by a prophet is in fact written by a prophet. Sometimes books were written by other people, and then ascribed to some prophet or apostle. Some people also claimed to be prophets who were not. How can we determine whether someone was in fact a prophet sent from God? Are we back to popularity, or is there a more reliable source of knowledge? The Mexicas were a tribe of people who worshiped the God of war. They also believed and followed prophets. A prophet led them to establish themselves in what is now known as Mexico City. Should we accept the authority of their prophets too? On what then shall we put our trust?

I believe that with matters of the supernatural, that we should believe our own experience above all else. If our own personal history lacks any experience with the supernatural, then we should cautiously listen to the testimony of those who do claim such experience, expecting to put their observations to the test. Once we believe in the supernatural, and have experiences of our own, can we then trust which ever spirits present themselves to us? Should we follow any supernatural
being that appears to us, just because they are supernatural? My experience has taught me to believe that not every spirit is of God, and not every spirit which answers our prayers to God is actually good. Anyone can claim to be God. In the end, we must decide whether a supernatural being who presents themselves to us is worthy of our confidence. According to one ancient record, Moses was given two choices. Two supernatural beings appeared to him, claiming to be God When the second supernatural being appeared to him, and demanded to be worshiped, Moses asked him, “Where is thy glory?”

” 12 And it came to pass that when Moses had said these words, behold, Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.
13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
14 For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?
15 Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve.” (Moses 1)

Few of us are likely to have a spiritual experience so dramatic. The most common type of spiritual experience is when a spirit communicates with us without being seen. This includes the temptations of Satan and his angels as well as the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Which of us has not been tempted? Which of us can trust the author of temptation? Yet some people do trust the author of temptation, and latch on to this, the most basic of all spiritual experiences. One of the basic tenants of Christianity is that the Holy Ghost bears witness to the truth, and that through the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things. The presence of the Holy Ghost can be distinguished by its positive attitude and by the physical manifestations that accompany it. Its attitude is an attitude of love, and often conveys the message that we are loveable, and capable of goodness. The physical sensations that accompany the spirit are described as a burning bosom, or a powerful sense of peace. It takes an exercise of faith, on our part, before we can receive the witness of the Spirit. It takes another exercise of faith to follow the council that it gives us. Any relationship is built upon the keeping of promises. Inherent in the testimony of the Holy Ghost is the promise that by following its message, we will grow spiritually. It is my conclusion, based on my own experiences, that If we do as we are asked, then we will be blessed, and know that the advice from the Holy Ghost was good. Over time, a person can have hundreds and even thousands of spiritual experiences involving the Holy Ghost. I have had more than I care to count, and have found the Holy Ghost to be trustworthy and consistent.

We grow spiritually by exercising faith in the testimony born of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. We are then rewarded with insight, and knowledge, as well as many physical blessings. Those who are steeped in skepticism and cultured in intellectualism will likely not appreciate this humble testimony, as skepticism strangles the pursuit of knowledge, and intellectualism disdains the witness of spiritual events. But some will find that this message resonates on a basic level, and will acknowledge that they have had spiritual experiences, and wish to develop a better relationship with God. To those who would like to know for themselves of the truth of the existence of God, I give this advice: Read the Book of Mormon, and then ask God, in the name of Jesus Christ, if it is true. Then listen with your heart for an answer. It could change your life for the better. It did mine. In the end only one voice has consistantly kept its promises in my life. It is the voice of the Holy Ghost, and I believe that my experiences are not unique; there are millions who have felt its presence and listened to its promptings. It isn't emotion or imagination or hypnotism: it is has intelligence, and it is as real as anything in this life. No mortal man has all the answers, but it would be silly to wait until you know everything about a person, before saying hello. The same is true about God. Don't be afraid to learn how to give an effective prayer, and start building a relationship with God.