Coming to know God

This verse is the clearest I know of that helps us understand the need to know about God in order to follow Him. This also helps explain why some prophets and apostles have seen him. D.C. 93:

19I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and ^aknow what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.

Without having experiences with God, it's very difficult to trust Him or believe in Him enough to change behavior in a meaningful, lasting way. As missionaries and members we teach people to ask God themselves if the church is true and if the Book of Mormon is true. I have often thought because this is the best evidence, to hear/feel it from God himself. However, that's definitely only a part of the reason to turn to God to ask this question. In asking Him, people will have an experience with Him. That is what helps them then make decisions to change life. As we come to know Him, we will choose to live better because we'll want to be with Him and like Him.

The apostles' explanations of Christ and God help us have better ideas of who they are and help us believe in them. Our own experiences solidify that fledgling faith, and God wants us to have our own experiences.

Have a great day.