From Judaism to Jesus Christ — Part Seven
God Revealed the Truth to Me
by Nancy Goldberg Hilton
Months passed as I continued learning the gospel. I was asked if I wanted to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I still had questions about baptism myself. I read over and over in the scriptures about the need for baptism as a gate to enter the kingdom of heaven, but what did this really mean? What would I feel like if I decided to be baptized into this church? How could I feel any more certain than I did at Rainbow Bridge? I knew I would need a confirmation from God.
My conclusion was that baptism was required of every accountable person to enter the kingdom of God and that it must be performed by someone with priesthood authority given to him from God — an ordinance that would last beyond death. There was a promise in The Book of Mormon that I decided to put to the test. The introduction invites “all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God the Eternal Father in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
I wanted an answer. I wanted the truth as confirmed by the Holy Ghost. I prayed:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for all Thy blessings, especially knowledge of Thee and Thy gospel. Should I be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Is The Book of Mormon true? Is Joseph Smith a prophet of God? Are the teachings that I have learned from this church true?
(I asked many other questions and ended my prayer) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I was crying as I said my prayer. I waited for an answer, but none came. I was so tired that I went to sleep. I was awakened at three o’clock in the morning by a powerful spiritual presence and a connection to God. I heard a quiet voice inside my mind tell me that I was to be baptized immediately into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Book of Mormon was true, and Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I asked more questions and received answers. I was so happy — I knew I was on the right course. This time I knew the answer did not come from anyone on this earth but from my Father in Heaven.
© Nancy Hilton 2011
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