User:BenRasmussen/Moroni 10:1-5

In response to the question about sign-seeking and Moroni's promise, I think that there is definitely a difference between asking the Lord for confirmation of truth and asking the Lord for a sign. In a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the quorum of the twelve apostles, he quotes President George Q. Cannon, former member of the First Presidency, as saying,

"It has been a matter of remark among those who have had experience in this Church that where men have been brought into the Church by such manifestations, it has required a constant succession of them to keep them in the Church; their faith has had to be constantly strengthened by witnessing some such manifestations; but where they have been convinced by the outpouring of the spirit of God, … they have been more likely to stand, more likely to endure persecution and trial than those who have been convinced through some supernatural manifestation,” with "manifestations" referring to signs and wonders ("Miracles," Ensign, June 2001, 6).

This quote, and others like it, seems to imply that there are physical, supernatural type of signs as well as spiritually confirming signs. The former is a sign that we witness with our physical senses, and the latter is a sign that we witness more so with our hearts. Physical signs will last for but a moment and can be easily distorted over time by Satan. Spiritual "signs" however, leave a lasting impression upon us and cannot be duplicated by Satan or his servants. Only by seeking these spiritual "signs" can a person truly become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.