I love this scripture passage from the Book of Mormon. Alma was speaking to a man named Korihor, who didn't believe in God and who was trying to disway others from believing in God. Korihor told him that he'd only believe if Alma could show him a sign. Here's Alma's response (Alma 30:39-41,44):
"Save" here means 'except'
"Yea" is kind of like 'yes'
"Ye" means 'you'
"Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come. And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true . . . . Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."
Alma does show Korihor a sign, but not the kind of sign that Korihor had anticipated. (Click the reference link above to find out what happens.)
I heard on NPR a few weeks ago that renowned atheist, Christopher Hitchens, died. They discussed some of his lifestyle and philosophies. It was intriguing, and I'm sure he had plenty to say about Mormons and our beliefs, but what I wondered was, What things does he have as a witness that there isn't a God? Like Alma, I have EVERYthing as a witness that there IS a God. Don't worry, I know the arguments against the existence of God. But it just doesn't add up for me. Anyone who's actually felt his nearness, his love, his peace and joy can't deny his existence. And once you've felt it, you begin to see all the things around you that are His witnesses. And they are everywhere.
