And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart . . .

Every night before Davis goes to bed, we read a chapter from the Book of Mormon Reader, the one with the square pictures that tells the stories from the Book of Mormon.  Davis is the one that keeps us going on this - sometimes I am so tired and it is late and I try to hustle Davis to bed without reading scriptures and he always says, "But Mom, what about scriptures."  So we read them every night.

Last week, we read the last chapter, the one where Moroni tells us "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."  (Moroni 10:4).  So we talked about what that meant, that we could pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him if the scriptures were true and the Holy Ghost would help us know.  Then it was time for prayers and Davis said he wanted to say the prayer.  This was his prayer.

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Are the scriptures true or not?  (very matter-of-fact voice and pause)  Please send the Holy Ghost to tell us if the scriptures are true or not.  Please help us have a good time on Earth.  Please help us learn how to swim.  And thank you for the stars."  And then he closed the prayer.  Some random, some focused and to the point.

I am pretty sure that is what Moroni was talking about when he said to "ask with a sincere heart."  I was overcome with love for my sweet boy and for my Savior.  As he climbed back up onto the bed I tried to explain that after a prayer like that we can listen to our thoughts and how we feel and that is how the Holy Ghost would let us know.  With Davis's response I remembered that he is still just a little boy and someday he will understand the Holy Ghost.  But that day isn't now.  Davis said,

"Well, when I get a thought it bounces off my head (this explanation came complete with a finger swooping from the ceiling to his head, then showing how the thoughts bounce off) and I can see "yes" or "no" (finger points to a spot up in the corner)."

Me:  "What do you see?"
Davis:  "No."
Me:  pause "Maybe we can ask Heavenly Father again another time."
Davis:  "Well I think some of the scriptures are true.  And some are not."
Me:  Nothing.  I had no response to that. "Hmmm.  Ok.  Now let's get in bed."

Luckily, I am pretty sure he will have his answer someday (not one that bounces off his head and lights up in neon letters up on his wall - but wouldn't that make so many things so much easier!), because a few days later, he asked Heavenly Father again if the scriptures are true or not.  And I am pretty sure he is developing a testimony, just like mine, that they are true and can bless our lives.