Although these five men did not believe (v. 2), they were still willing to find out for themselves. Too many people will take the word of others without personally testing them. As the Apostle John taught, “Try the Spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). When knowledge of the truth came to the five men, they fell to the earth in astonishment and fear (Helaman 9:4–5). Had they been in touch with the Spirit, they would have believed Nephi’s words. When truth comes by the Spirit, it testifies or brings light and a good feeling (see D&C 50:17–20). The Lord “will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore; you shall feel that it is right” (D&C 9:8). The story line in these chapters is self-explanatory, but the characteristics of a prophet are given so that we may decide for ourselves who qualifies as a prophet of the Lord.