The Book of Mormon, a record of holy scripture that gives an account of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the American continent, has helped me come to know that we lived with God before we were born. It teaches of all these truths, which have brought purpose and meaning to my life. The teachings of the Book of Mormon are the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God because of the Holy Spirit that has testified to me that they are the words of Jesus Christ.

A Book of Mormon prophet named Alma references clearly the Savior’s doctrine of a pre-mortal life where we lived as intelligent spirits and grew in the presence of God, before coming to mortality to further progress. Alma  explains the opportunities presented to the spirit children of God in the premortal existence in these words:

In the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling…on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren. Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the Atonement of the Only Begotten Son” (Alma 13:3-5; emphasis added ).

The “first place” here refers to one’s first estate or premortal existence. As a major part of our life before life here on earth, God gathered all His children together for a grand council called the council in heaven. During this council, He explained to us the Plan of Happiness. This plan included coming down to the earth to gain a physical body as He has. We came to this earth to learn to choose the good over the evil and to experience joy. Jesus Christ was called as the Savior and redeemer to save us all from sin and its effects. Without Jesus Christ, none of us could return back to Heavenly Father and live in joy and happiness. I know that Jesus Christ is the foundation for our happiness and redemption. Another Book of Mormon prophet rejoices over the Plan of Redemption saying:

O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

Additional Resources:

Obtain a free copy of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Learn more about God’s plan for us and our life before life on earth.

Learn more about God’s plan of happiness from an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Book of Mormon is a record of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It gives an account of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent and God’s dealings with them. There are many passages in The Book of Mormon that testify of the reality of God. In the book of Alma chapter 22, Alma was an ancient prophet of Jesus Christ, in The Book of Mormon, we read of an experience where a missionary named Aaron taught a king about God. We see a pattern for how we can come to know if God is real in this chapter. First we must have a desire to know if He is real.  We must desire to learn more about Him. In this scripture account, the king had recently come across a missionary who had converted his son to the gospel. The king was curious and wanted to learn more. This is what he said:

What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me. And also, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day? (Alma 22:5-6).

Coming to Know God Exists

This scripture then helps us see that we should seek to learn all that we can about God, what his words are, and what He asks us to do–then we can come to know Him more. This should be from a good source, such as the scriptures, an authorized minister of Jesus Christ, and through prayer. Aaron then expounds and teaches the king all about God and His plan of happiness for each of us. He teaches the king question by question, a little at a time. The king showed a desire and determination to believe in his words, and follow Jesus Christ:

And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.

And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.

And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king (Book of Mormon: Alma 22:12-14).

After Aaron taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to the king, the king felt a desire in his heart to be forgiven of his sins and to become clean through Jesus Christ. The king showed a willingness to do the Lord’s will. He had a humble heart, which I’ve learned is important when I want to come to know God and feel His love and guidance in our lives. He said:

What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy (Book of Mormon: Alma 22:15).

Knowing About God vs. Knowing God

Aaron then asked the king to pray and ask God for the hope that He desired. In order to know if God is real, I’ve found that it is so vital that we pray. We can study all the books about God in the whole world if we want to, but if we don’t pray, we will never really know if God is real. When we pray, God’s Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that He is real (Holy Bible: Romans 8:16). He communicates knowledge to our souls with a divine impression that helps us know He is real. This is what happened with the king in The Book of Mormon. He knelt down and prayed and asked to know if God was real, and he said that he would “give up all my sins” to know God (Alma 22:18). When the king said this, he had a glorious experience of being overwhelmed with the power and love of God.

This scriptural example helps us see how we can know God is real. It helps me see that we must seek after Him. God has told us:

Ask, and it shall be ^bgiven you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

Personal Witness that God Exists

I know that as we seek out God and the Lord Jesus Christ, they will make themselves manifest to us. Through the power of prayer, and through studying and living the words of Jesus Christ, I’ve come to feel the power of the God’s love within me. He has told my spirit that He lives and loves me. All of us can have this experience. God is waiting for us to seek after Him, and He will answer.

Additional Resources:

Is there a God? For more information visit the official site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).

Request your free copy of the Book of Mormon today.

Attend a local meetinghouse.