Testimony vs. Understanding

  Something absolutely essential to finding peace in this life is obtaining a testimony. A testimony, as defined in True to the Faith, is "a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost". It involves a belief in God and in Jesus Christ. When we have a testimony, we believe the Gospel as it has been given to us through the scriptures and the prophets.

(Taken from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Facebook Page)

  Understanding the Gospel is different from having a testimony of the Gospel. It is also essential to conversion, but understanding alone does not mean that somebody is converted to the Gospel or that they truly believe it. Somebody can read their scriptures all day every day and understand every nuance of doctrine but still not receive the joy that Christ offers us.

  That is because a testimony can only be received through the power of the Holy Ghost. The prophet Moroni gives a promise in the Book of Mormon:

" 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
 4 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.
 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." - Moroni 10:3-5

  According to these verses, we must honestly read the Book of Mormon and pray to ask God to know for ourselves of its truth. Once we do, the Holy Ghost will witness to us that the book is true. We will feel the peace of the restored Gospel enter into our lives.

  The peace brought from that testimony is irreplaceable.