A phrase taken from Doctrine and Covenants 9:8, where Joseph Smith taught that a “burning in the bosom” is a sign from the Holy Ghost confirming that something is true. In Latter-day Saint experience, this feeling—often described as warmth, peace, or strong emotion—is considered personal evidence that the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, or the LDS Church is true.
Mormons are encouraged to pray about truth and expect this inner feeling as God’s answer. Because of this, emotional experience often serves as the ultimate test of truth, even above Scripture or historical evidence.
Biblical Christianity teaches that while the Holy Spirit does bring peace and assurance (Romans 8:16), truth is not confirmed by emotion but by the Word of God (John 17:17). Feelings can be misleading (Jeremiah 17:9), so Christians rely on the promises of God’s Word rather than on subjective spiritual impressions.
