Truman Madsen

Ok, I finally found it. THE THING that solidifies my testimony that. Everything I wanted to believe is worth believing once and for all.

I was sort of casually listening to an audio cassette in my car and on it Truman Madsen was talking about the humor of Joseph Smith. Honestly, that was one of the most appealing things about the gospel Of Jesus Christ as taught in Mormonism. Just watching conference one sees and feels a great appreciation for any who can see humor in reality. I always watch thinking....now, That is my sort of thinking!

I used to think that I lived in what was quite possibly the most humorous ward and stake ever! And it meant something to me. I loved attending institute because I was sure I would appreciate the way I felt. But, that is not my life-changing testimony. Just a side track of many! -

So, on to what happened. A man came to Joseph Smith and told him that he had been visited by an angel... The man in his disclosure mentioned the wardrobe of the messenger to which Joseph told him it was all a hoax. The man was furious and called on God to rain fire down on Joseph and his family. It did not happen and Joseph Smith said the perfect thing...I am sure we are all thinking it. He told the man that his God probably didn't hear him... Maybe he worshiped Baal, etc. etc.

(that is one of my favorite old testament stories)

My testimony is that Joseph Smith was absolutely a prophet and thereby spoke for God and served Him (accordingly knew and loved Jesus Christ).

I thought wait a minute let me be skeptical. Suppose Joseph was a fraud and charleton. This man could expose him. But, Joseph firmly declared that this man was false which he could only do if he was certain for himself that he had spoken to God. This also removed any doubt that the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal was an actual thing that happened (cause if it was it is undeniable evidence that the tribes of Israel are a chosen people!)

I need to take care of Martha (sister of Lazareth) things like dinner and kids... Brb

Then I considered, perhaps Joseph knew for a surety there was no God and that was how he knew it was a hoax

Oh forget it! That was a pretty arogant assumption anyhow. We are supposed to believe without knowing. Walk by faith sort of thing...yeah, but why? I'm not done yet.

Just wanted to add this new thought. I realize others may think this is more likely evidence, undeniable, that Joseph Smith knew there was no God, but taking that assumption it snaps back to being a testimony for me because there would be no retaliation or need to fulfill any prophecies and he would be entirely free to do as he please allowing for any sort of behavior by means of a dogma. But, he didn't, infact he suffered all his life and was martyred. Let alone the proverb that unequivocally states that if you train a child in a certain way, he will return to it and from his childhood we learn of a great amount of religious/pious teaching was done by his mother and father who stand behind him 100% as well.

I was willing to consider the thing I learned from watching "The Prestige". I learned from the extremely unexpected Long-con of the Chinese man who faked others by creating an illusion of his everyday deformity merely so he could perform a trick where he hid a fishbowl in his gown. That it is possible for a hoax to be pulled off through a number of perfectly calculated moves as in a game of stratagem. But, he simply could not have even known what to prepare for throughout a whole life.

The conclusion I am both prone and forced (through consideration) to accept is that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And so this church he established must be the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattet-day Saints.