A testimony comes after private prayers, pleadings
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In an address in the October 1991 general conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said no message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than, "Ask, and ye shall receive." (Matt. 21:22; James 4:3; 1 John 3:22; 1 Ne. 15:11; Enos 1:15; Mosiah 4:21; D&C 4:7; and Moses 6:52 are examples.) "While we may invite this communication, it can never be forced! If we try to force it, we may be deceived," he said.
"Enos, who was `struggling in the spirit,' said, `Behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind.' (Enos 1:10; italics added.) While this spiritual communication comes into the mind, it comes more as a feeling, an impression, than simply as a thought. Unless you have experienced it, it is very difficult to describe that delicate process."Elder Packer explained that the witness is not communicated through the intellect alone, however bright the intellect may be.
" `The natural man,' Paul told us, `receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.' " (1 Cor. 2:13-14.)
Elder Packer said that personal testimony is confirmed to one initially and is reaffirmed and enlarged thereafter through a harmonious combining of both the intellect and the spirit.
"A testimony is profoundly personal, and occurs in response to very private prayers and pleadings. Nevertheless, the Lord has told us, `Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' " (Matt. 18:20; see also D&C 6:32.)
Further, Elder Packer said, "Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures: `Be still, and know that I am God.' (Ps. 46:10; italics added.) And the promise, `You shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.' " (D&C 36:2; italics added.)
