Note: For those unfamiliar with the weekly worship service at a congregation (or Ward) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the service lasts roughly 70 minutes. It is referred to as Sacrament Meeting, because the main focus of the meeting is the ordinance of blessing and partaking of the Sacrament -- other denominations have a similar ceremony called communion. The Sacrament in our church is a sacred remembrance of The Savior's sacrifice and Atonement, as well as a renewal of sacred baptismal covenants members have made with The Savior. In addition to the ordinance, the meeting consists of congregational singing of hymns, perhaps solo or choir musical number, and usually, three to four speakers, lay members of the congregation who have been asked in advance to give talks -- or sermans, if you will -- on various Gospel topics and principles to provide instruction and spiritual edification to all in attendance. This opportunity to speak is regularly afforded to all members who so desire and are in good membership standing, or in other words who are striving to live the Gospel.
Sunday, February 18th was my most recent opportunity. I was the concluding speaker in the meeting. Upon taking my place at the podium, I quipped that today was a special day indeed, for I had finally made it to the point I was not recognized as a youth speaker by the meeting conductor -- in this case our Ward's Bishop -- to which the congregation chuckled, because the Bishop had referred to the first two speakers as Youth speakers when announcing the program after the Sacrament... yet they were also adults! I then commented on how I appreciated the fact there were boxes of tissue on either side of the podium, not that I felt that my talk was going to end up being a double-boxer, but that I appreciated the foresight of being prepared just in case, to which the audience again chuckled.
Below is the text of my talk. I hope that you may be spiritually strengthened by reading it and that you will take the words to heart.
Brothers and Sisters, I am grateful to also have been asked to share some thoughts and words concerning testimony, and I appreciate those words already shared. They and the music today have strengthened my testimony and me. I ask that your prayers be with me, that the Spirit will continue to be here over the next several minutes, that the things which I have prepared and say may be of value in edifying and strengthening you.
While Alma the Younger was entrusting the sacred records of the Nephites to his son Helaman, he provided this instruction “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (1)
When we think of the concept of a testimony, we should remember to not miss the mark. A personal testimony is perhaps one of the simplest of means by which the salvation of many souls is brought to pass.
The dictionary has several conceptual definitions for what the word testimony means. We often equate it in the Gospel to only that of a “public avowal, as of faith or of a religious experience.” But, some of the other definitions are wise for our consideration. I like this one in particular “a declaration or statement made under oath or affirmation by a witness in a court, often in response to questioning, to establish a fact.” Looking at the word testify, a similar definition exists “to make a serious declaration to substantiate a fact; bear witness or give evidence, esp. under oath in a court.” (2)
So, to testify and a testimony can be thought of as “a serious declaration under oath to substantiate a fact… often in response to questioning…” The language of the scriptures concerning testimony and witnesses is pretty clear. The Lord uses two or three or more witnesses to substantiate fact. The Lord takes the responsibility of providing witness very solemnly, yet it is also very simple, perhaps far simpler than in a courtroom situation. As Elder Robert D. Hales states, “A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10). It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.” (3) How close is your personal testimony of the Gospel and Savior to where you could “substantiate a fact under oath?”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf answered several questions concerning the simplicity of personal testimonies in last October’s General Conference. One is the question of what a personal testimony is. He states “A testimony is the sure knowledge or assurance from the Holy Ghost of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work in these latter days.”
He also answers how a personal testimony is important to have? “A testimony provides proper perspective, motivation, and a solid foundation on which to build a life of purpose and personal growth. It is a constant source of confidence, a true and faithful companion during good times and bad. A testimony provides us with a reason for hope and gladness. It helps us cultivate a spirit of optimism and happiness and enables us to rejoice in the beauties of nature. A testimony motivates us to choose the right at all times and in all circumstances. It motivates us to draw nearer to God, allowing Him to draw nearer to us (see James 4:8).
Our personal testimony is a protective shield, and like an iron rod it is guiding us safely through darkness and confusion.” (4)
When I taught Sunday School to the youth, the main objective of the classes was to encourage each youth to seek out the start of their own testimony. I would tell them they have their parent’s testimonies upon which they can have a support, but that eventually that would not be enough. Sooner or later, they had to stand on their own spiritually. And the sooner they started obtaining their own witness, the better. The same goes for us as adults. If our personal testimony is based on another person’s apparent spiritual strength as opposed to our own receipt of spiritual witness, we may find ourselves in risk of spiritual crisis should that individual ever falter. The same is true if our testimony is missing any part of what constitutes the basis and foundation of a personal testimony.
The core of a personal testimony must include the following items (4):
- God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.
- Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.
- The Book of Mormon is the word of God.
- President Gordon B. Hinckley, his counselors, and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the prophets, seers, and revelators in our day.
How do we obtain a personal testimony from The Holy Ghost? For each of us, the experience and time involved may be slightly different, but the essential process and pattern involved is pretty much the same. This process is another example of the simplicity. It first requires desire. Desire is more than mere curiosity. Alma in his teachings to the Zoramites explains that desire requires the exercising of faith “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye can give place for a portion of my words.” (5) Next, it requires study and searching in the source of truth, the scriptural canon and writings of prophets and apostles. Third, there is an aspect of obedience that needs to be included. We need to prove the words by doing them. Book knowledge in any subject is a far different thing than hands on experience. A person can read volumes on how to build a piece of furniture or watch umpteen shows on cooking, but until that person actually does what they are reading about or watching, they will not really know how to do it. Also and more importantly, the Spirit cannot work within us if we are not worthy of His influence. Speaking of youth gaining testimonies several decades ago, Pres. David O McKay said “Are we sufficiently emphasizing the fact that they will never know it if they indulge in sin; they will never find it out if they live to gratify their passions and appetites. “My spirit shall not always strive with man.” (Gen. 6:3; D&C 1:33; Moses 8:17.) His spirit will not dwell in unclean tabernacles. (“The Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples.” Helaman 4:24.) And you cannot have a testimony without the Spirit of God…” (6)
I remember when barely a deacon, I decided I wanted to know if this really was God’s true Church. My older brother was on his mission, and I wanted to cast away doubt that it was anything but right. I was a little younger than Joseph Smith was when he had his first vision, but I thought if he can ask for what he did, than maybe it is okay for me to seek knowledge as well. Although I had grown up in an LDS family, I still needed to determine if there was something to what I had been taught other than just nice feel good stories. My parents kept church literature in the house, and I took a Joseph Smith pamphlet from the desk they kept a supply of things like that in. I went to my bedroom and lie on my bed and read it. While reading it, I felt those good, warm feelings of the Spirit speak to my soul. I then closed the door and knelt and prayed to ask if what I had read was true and if what I felt was true. The response was immediate, and more of the same but of greater intensity to what I had felt earlier. It was clear to me that this was true. This witness was given because I had a desire to know and I asked. Simple. Exercise of faith, following of the process, and the spiritual witness was given. Nearly three decades later, I still remember it. As Joseph recorded of his experience, I know it, and I know God knows it, and I cannot deny it even if I were so inclined to do so.
How do we know if we have a personal testimony? First, we need to recognize when we are feeling the Spirit whisper to us. Sometimes, it will be as strong as the burning in the bosom or the overwhelming joy that brings us to tears. Other times it will simply be the enlarging of the soul or the speaking of peace to calm us. Sometimes we may forget that we have already received a witness, particularly if we are expecting something grand every time. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God? And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?” (7) Spiritual things are discerned spiritually, not by the natural man. Remember, small and simple means.
Okay, this is all nice, but why do we need a personal testimony? Let’s go back to the statement I made earlier, that a personal testimony is perhaps one of the simplest means by which salvation is brought to pass. How is that? President Gordon B. Hinckley has said “Personal testimony is a wonderful thing, a gift from God to man. It is a conviction, a quiet certainty of the living God, of the divinity of His Beloved Son, of the restoration of Their work in our time.” --and here is the key point-- “It demands that we do what He has asked us to do.” (8) Whose salvation is most important? First and foremost, our own is... then, that of our family. We have been given the promise by The Savior that if we keep the commandments and endure to the end, we shall have eternal life. Our testimony becomes an enabler or catalyst of our faith being put to action in living the gospel and in repenting of our sins. Having a personal testimony gives us the internal understanding of why we do the things that we do in the Gospel, so that when the rains come down and the floods come up, our house will be as the house that was built upon the rock. Perhaps, very few of us will have to face the same challenges that people like Job, or Abraham, or Joseph Smith and many of the early Saints in this dispensation faced. But we each will at some point have to face our own form of seemingly losing blessings or being asked to put our all on the altar or face hostile persecution as we seek to establish Zion and the Kingdom of God. A personal testimony can therefore be our own glimpse of the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire, the knowledge that “they that be with us are more than they that are with them,” as the prophet Elisha wished for his servant. (9)
So, where are you individually on developing and maintaining your personal testimony of The Savior and His Gospel? Are you putting it off until another day when it is more convenient, or are you as the king over all the Lamanites, after hearing the gospel from Aaron, who was so desirous of salvation that he “did bow down before the Lord upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.” (10) Remember, we can’t be saved in ignorance of the truth. We need more than just belief.
Brothers and Sisters, I am grateful for the righteous examples and influences you are to me and my family in strengthening and bolstering our testimonies and faith. I am humbled by the love you show for us. I want you to know that the things I speak are true. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and that He lives. I know that this is His true Church and that He stands at the head. I know that The Book of Mormon is true scripture from The Lord. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet through which The Lord restored the fullness of His Gospel upon the earth. And I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is the living prophet of God today. What the Gospel teaches is not just nice feel good stories. It is the truest thing on this earth. These things I know for they have been witnessed to me by the Holy Ghost on numerous occasions. As Alma of old, I have fasted, pondered, and prayed to receive these witnesses. I have also worked on living the principles. You too can know this for yourself by following that same, simple pattern. It is my prayer that you will so do and take advantage of this small and simple means, that you may have the catalyst in place to have the great thing of your salvation come to pass. I share this with you in His Holy Name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Source References:
1. Alma 37:6-7
2. Webster’s New World Dictionary, 3rd College Edition
3. Robert D. Hales, “The Importance of Receiving a Personal Testimony,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 20
4. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Power of a Personal Testimony,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 37–39
5. Alma 32:27
6. David O McKay, In Conference Report, Oct. 1953, 88–89.
7. Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-24
8. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Testimony,” Friend, Oct 1998, inside front cover
9. 2 Kings 6:15-17
10. Alma 22:17-18
