Unveiling Mormonism Mormon Questions: What If I Felt a Burning in My Bosom?
One of the central experiences many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as Mormons, testify to is a feeling described as "a burning in the bosom." This phrase is derived from Doctrine and Covenants 9:8, where it speaks of a spiritual confirmation through an internal feeling of warmth or peace. Mormons often interpret this experience as the Holy Spirit confirming the truth of the Book of Mormon or other LDS teachings. But what should Christians make of this experience? How does it compare to the Bible's teaching on spiritual discernment and truth?
D&C 9:8 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.
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One of the central experiences many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as Mormons, testify to is a feeling described as "a burning in the bosom." This phrase is derived from Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9, where it speaks of a spiritual confirmation through an internal feeling of warmth or peace. Mormons often interpret this experience as the Holy Spirit confirming the truth of the Book of Mormon or other LDS teachings. But what should Christians make of this experience? How does it compare to the Bible's teaching on spiritual discernment and truth?
The Subjective Nature of Experience
The concept of a "burning in the bosom" is subjective and relies heavily on personal feelings as a way to confirm religious truth. Mormons are taught to seek personal confirmation of their beliefs through this emotional experience. While experiences are certainly part of a believer’s life, they are not the foundation of truth in Christianity.
The Bible warns against relying solely on feelings to determine truth. Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered." Jeremiah 17:9 echoes this by stating, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" In other words, while emotions and internal feelings may feel compelling, they can be misleading if not anchored in objective truth.
Truth According to the Bible
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He points to Himself as the embodiment of truth, not a subjective feeling. The Bible emphasizes knowing God through His revealed Word and by the Spirit’s illuminating work, not by relying on emotions or spiritual experiences alone.
When discerning truth, the Bible consistently points us back to Scripture. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." Scripture, not a subjective feeling, is the ultimate guide for truth.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Testing the Spirits
The Bible also commands Christians to test any spiritual experience against the truth of God's Word. 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." This command warns that not all spiritual experiences come from God. Some can come from deception, either self-induced or from false spirits.
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.
1 John 4:3 (NLT) 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.
A "burning in the bosom" as an emotional experience cannot be a reliable standard for truth because feelings can easily be manipulated. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:15-16 about "false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." The fruits in this context refer to doctrinal soundness and alignment with God's revealed Word, not to subjective emotions or personal experiences.
Matthew 7:15-16 (NLT) 15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.”
Galatians 1:8-9 (NLT) 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Confirming Truth
The Bible does teach that the Holy Spirit confirms the truth of God's Word and Christ’s work in a believer’s heart. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." However, this witness of the Holy Spirit is deeply connected with a proper understanding of Scripture and the truth about who Christ is, rather than based on feelings that can vary from person to person.
The Spirit leads believers into all truth (John 16:13), but this leading is rooted in the objective truth of God’s Word, not in subjective experiences. Any experience, whether it be peace, warmth, or even joy, must be weighed against Scripture. If an experience contradicts biblical doctrine, it cannot be from the Holy Spirit, for God does not contradict Himself.
John 16:13 (NLT) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
Takeaway: The Need for Biblical Truth
The "burning in the bosom" is a deeply emotional experience for many Mormons, but it is not a reliable test of truth. Biblical theology teaches that truth comes from God's Word and that experiences, while important, must be tested by Scripture. Relying on feelings alone can lead to confusion, error, and ultimately, spiritual deception.
Christians are called to base their faith on the clear, objective revelation of God found in the Bible, not on feelings or emotions. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The freedom and assurance we seek come not from a "burning in the bosom," but from trusting in the revealed Word of God and the finished work of Christ.
Related: What Is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral?
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, developed a theological framework that included four important sources for Christian understanding: Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. This approach is often referred to as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, though Wesley himself didn’t use this term. It is a helpful way to see how Wesley valued these elements as tools for interpreting and applying Christian faith. Below is an outline of how Wesley understood each of these sources:
1. Scripture (The Primary Source of Authority)
For Wesley, Scripture was the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. He referred to the Bible as the foundation of Christian belief, insisting that it is “the sufficient rule” for the knowledge of God and salvation. Wesley strongly believed in the inspiration of Scripture and maintained that the Bible was the primary means through which God reveals Himself.
Wesley emphasized the importance of reading Scripture with humility and prayer, expecting the Holy Spirit to guide believers into truth. He encouraged believers to "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39) diligently and to base their beliefs and lives on what God has revealed there. He did not, however, advocate for a literalistic reading but believed that Scripture should be interpreted in the context of the whole biblical narrative, always with the centrality of Christ in mind.
John 5:39-40 (NLT) 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
2. Tradition (The Wisdom of the Church)
Wesley valued tradition as the collective wisdom of the Christian church throughout history. While Scripture was primary, tradition helped interpret and apply biblical truths. Wesley drew from the writings of early church fathers, creeds, councils, and centuries of Christian thought and practice.
He did not view tradition as infallible but as a valuable resource to help guard against misinterpretation of the Bible. For Wesley, tradition provided continuity with the historic faith of the apostles and the early church. He understood it as a way to gain insight from those who had lived and wrestled with the Christian faith before, but it was always to be subordinated to Scripture.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3. Reason (The Role of Intellect and Logic)
Wesley had a high view of reason and saw it as a God-given gift to help humans understand and apply the truths of faith. He believed that while reason alone cannot lead someone to salvation, it is essential for interpreting Scripture, making moral judgments, and organizing Christian beliefs into a coherent system.
Wesley wrote that reason “is the faculty of discerning truth from falsehood." For him, faith and reason were not in conflict; rather, reason served as a tool for deepening one’s understanding of God and Christian doctrine. He warned against the misuse of reason when it becomes a source of pride or is used to override Scripture, but he also opposed anti-intellectualism, stressing the importance of thoughtful reflection on faith.
Acts 17:11 (NLT) 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
4. Experience (The Personal Knowledge of God)
Wesley placed a significant emphasis on experience, specifically the personal and transformative experience of God's grace. He believed that faith was not just an intellectual exercise but also a living, personal relationship with God through Christ, confirmed by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16).
Romans 8:15-16 (NLT) 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
Wesley’s own conversion experience in 1738, where he felt his heart "strangely warmed," underscored his belief in the necessity of experiential knowledge of God. This experience gave him assurance of his salvation and helped shape his understanding of Christian life. Wesley believed that this inward experience of God's love and grace should confirm and align with the teachings of Scripture.
However, Wesley was careful not to elevate personal experience above Scripture. Experience had to be tested and shaped by biblical truth, not the other way around. If an experience conflicted with Scripture, Wesley taught that the experience should be questioned, not the Bible.
Takeaway: The Wesleyan Balance
In Wesley’s framework, Scripture remained the ultimate authority, with tradition, reason, and experience serving as complementary resources to aid believers in their understanding of God. For Wesley:
- Scripture is primary and authoritative.
- Tradition provides historical and theological context.
- Reason helps interpret and apply biblical truths logically and consistently.
- Experience confirms the reality of faith in the believer’s life.
By balancing these four elements, Wesley offered a holistic approach to Christian theology and practice that emphasizes both heart and mind, both personal experience and communal wisdom. This balance has shaped not only Methodism but has also influenced wider Christian thinking on how to live out a faithful, thoughtful, and Spirit-led life in Christ.