Testimony
A testimony[1] consists of beliefs and convictions regarding the truth of the Gospel. President Dallin H. Oaks described a testimony:
- A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.
- A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended.[2]
President Oaks asked "How does one gain what we call a testimony?"
- The first step in gaining any kind of knowledge is to really desire to know. In the case of spiritual knowledge, the next step is to ask God in sincere prayer. As we read in modern revelation, “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal” (D&C 42:61).
- Here is what Alma wrote about what he did: “Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:46).
- As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something. Jesus taught, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).
- Another way to seek a testimony seems astonishing when compared with the methods of obtaining other knowledge. We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it. Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.[3]
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to "bear" their testimony, or, in other words, share their testimony, with others. There are frequent opportunities for members to bear their testimonies with friends, family, and others. One common opportunity is during Fast and Testimony Meeting, which is a meeting particularly dedicated to bearing testimonies and is usually the Sacrament Meeting held on the first Sunday of every month.
Teachers regularly include bearing their testimonies as they teach, as do speakers in regular sacrament meetings.
The youth of the Church often have opportunities to bear their testimonies at special gatherings such as EFY, FSY, girls' camp, or youth conferences.
The following is a video clip from the 178th General Conference of the Church, held in April, 2008. It includes testimonies from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles:
