Why I Will Continue To Say "I KNOW"

I decided to dedicate some study time to pondering and writing out my response to a recent trending blog post titled: Why I Don't Say "I Know" Anymore. In order to completely understand my points, I would click on the link to the post and quickly skim through. Don't worry, it's not long and definitely worth the read.

This article got me thinking. I grew up in the very center of Mormon culture. When someone is insulting a 'silly' Mormon tradition, they are insulting my way of life in a sense. I usually don't take too much offense, and honestly take each little jab seriously for a few moments in order to evaluate what I could have "mindlessly" been doing. I try to keep an open mind and am always looking for ways to improve in every way of life. While I agree that some customs in Mormon culture can seem ridiculous, most come from a sincere desire to do what is right. To me, it isn't a problem with the traditions, but a problem with how we portray the customs and don't always teach WHY (or how to seek the why) we do them, but only TO do them. Questioning and doubting is a good thing, and if done through the correct spiritual channels can lead to a 'knowledge' of why we do things. Because of this, I would like to thank this writer for allowing me to question and then come to a greater understanding of why I will continue to say that " I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true!"

The ideas in this piece are MY opinion. Please nobody take it as doctrine. I only want to spike thinking as the blog post I am responding to did. 

I agree with a lot of the points that this writer's opinion piece has brought to life. I believe that sometimes people (not just Mormons/ LDS) say things that they don't understand the meaning to. I also believe that a testimony is not a one time thing, but it is a life long journey with ups and downs. However, I also believe that the writer did not quite define the word 'know' in the way that I can claim that "I Know" something. It all comes down to that.... What does the word "know" mean? or What does it mean to have knowledge of something?

The writer brings up the scripture in Alma 32: 21

...Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

 The key words in this verse are 'perfect knowledge'. The post referred to these two words as inseparable. However, I can have knowledge, but it does not necessarily mean that it has to be perfect. To me, perfect knowledge means that I have experienced the truth in a spiritual sense as well as a physical sense. To me, getting this perfect knowledge would be a miracle from God. Our Heavenly Father is an absolutely perfect being with a perspective that 'us' mortals can only seek to understand. He is trying to reveal 'perfect' truth to his imperfect, and fallen children. He has promised that when we are resurrected and become truly united as body and spirit that we will come to have a 'perfect knowledge'. This is promised in 2 Nephi 9: 13 which says:

Oh how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible and immortal, and they are living souls, have a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

However, luckily, our Heavenly Father didn't leave us high and dry in our imperfect mortal state. He sent the Holy Ghost! The third member of the Godhead. At the close of our Savior's mortal life he promised his disciples that the Father [God] will give them another comforter. John 13:16 says:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Later the Comforter is made known as the Holy Ghost stating in a few verses later, John 13: 26:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. 

I believe that the author of the blog post I am discussing demeaned the power and purpose of the Holy Ghost. In the True to the Faith reference (which has the Church's stamp of approval = doctrine) it says:

He [Holy Ghost]  "witnesses of the Father and the Son" (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches "the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).  You can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to your spirit carries far more certainty then any communication you can receive through your natural senses.

Moroni 10:5 :

By the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may KNOW the truth of all things.

This above scripture is one of the most profound and ESSENTIAL promises that we are given to walk through this earth life. Notice it does not say perfect knowledge, but it does promise that you may KNOW the truth.
  
Please do not demean that purpose of the Holy Ghost. He can actually give us knowledge of truth and not just hope or belief of it.

Later the blog post says: "If we truly KNEW, in every sense of the word, why would we need to strengthen that knowledge?"        

Now she could be referring to knowing with a 'perfect knowledge,' but when I stand to the pulpit and say "I know" I am not claiming a perfect knowledge. (though some people could, and who are we to question that, or the witness they have perhaps received.)  I do believe that my next argument accounts for both. She gives an analogy of the sky being blue, I don't even think it is comparable to the type of 'deeply spiritual' truth we are talking about. I am going to give another analogy.

I am in love with my husband. I can honestly say that at this moment in time, I know that without a shadow of a doubt that I LOVE my husband. I don't see the love or even explain it very well, but I know it because I can feel it. I could get up before a large crowd today and confidently (not arrogantly!!!) say that I love my husband. Now.. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to say that in the future. I do believe that people can 'fall out of love' but if they do, it does not mean that the love wasn't absolutely real to begin with. It was a lack of action and work that caused the 'falling out of love'. Staying in love takes dedication and everyday purposeful efforts AS DOES OUR KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS TRUE! 

To me, saying "I Know" is not only a claim of true knowledge made known to you by the Holy Ghost, but also a commitment to keep working on that knowledge and progressing so we do not lose that knowledge that was revealed to us. Not saying "I Know" when the power of the Holy Ghost has made it known unto you is as simple as a commitment issue.



 For further excellent reference and reading refer to this broadcast by Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy.  This is an excellent article of how to receive this knowledge from the Holy Ghost. It even brings up some different points about "perfect knowledge". 

For more click:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints