Make a decision and then ask God.

The past couple days my new companions and I have been working with an awesome guy named Mario. He is so ready and willing to accept the Gospel and follow Jesus Christ. As we've talked with him about the doctrine of Christ, he has let us know his desire to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings and asks us a lot how can he truly know these and be prepared to be baptized. He has so much faith, and really wants to know the truth.
He's been praying for the past week or so to know this is true, he's told us of the peace, the comfort, the happiness that he feels as he reads and prays, and at the same time, tells us that he's not sure if this is his answer...this is the problem...He's not sure he's recieved his answer. Problem, b/c without the true sure feeling of the truth of this Gospel, no one can truly come unto Christ. As we've pondered and prayed and prayed and pondered to find out how he can recognize his answer, one of my favorite scriptures came to mind.

 "8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

 9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong..." Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9

Sometimes, God doesn't tell us right away the answer, many times, he wants us to make a decision for ourselves, Study, Ponder, Think, then Ask. It's simple, but I know it works.

God, just like any parent, can't make all your decisions for you, he gave you agency from the very beginning, so that you can learn and grow. He let's you choose, and then you ask him after you have truly studied it for yourself, and tell him what You think, tell him what you feel, and like this scripture says, he will let you know, you'll feel it. And if it's not what he wants, he'll let you know too. You won't feel it, you'll forget it.

So if you're struggling to know the truth, to find an answer, try this, make a decision, study, think, ponder and THEN let God know. He is the source of all truth and light, and he won't lead you astray. He loves you and will lead you in the right path and you study and seek his guidance. But the most important part is that you act on the answer you recieve.

I know this works, it's a process that sometimes will take a while, hours, days, months, but if you put forth the effort he'll tell you. He's done it to me about 4,563 times, and everytime as I've acted on the answer from God it's turned out to be the best.

So again, maybe you're just like Mario, wanting to know the Book of Mormon is true, if this Church is truly the Chruch of Jesus Christ, or whatever decision you're trying to make. study it out, make the decision, ask, and the act.

JUST MAKE A DECISION AND THEN ASK GOD.