A Response to FARMS Critique of Questions to ask your Mormon Friends

Testimony

Jacobson claims that we failed to point out how Mormons believe a "burning in the bosom" is an indication "of a confirmation given by the Holy Spirit" (pg. 158). She criticizes us because we emphasized the good feelings of assurance that a Mormon receives upon praying and accepting the Book of Mormon as words from God. Perhaps we should have been clearer in this example, but we still feel that this idea of God being involved in the Moroni 10:4-5 prayer process was more than just inferred in our writing. Interestingly enough, LDS authorities such as John A. Widtsoe and George Q. Cannon were quoted in chapter 6, and they did not mention any "confirmation of the Holy Spirit" in the context of their quotes either; they too insinuate the belief that the answer is confirmed by the Holy Spirit through good feelings. Despite condemning our definition, Jacobson herself talks about the Spirit being manifest via prayer through "feelings of peace and joy" two pages later (pg. 161). So apparently our definition must not have been far off the mark!