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When
coming to this world, we knew we would be tested and tried.
We
knew we would be fighting for our personal salvation. We knew
we would
leave a loving Father in Heaven; with the goal of returning.
We knew
Christ would die for us. Now, in this life, we must study and
learn and
find answers in order to know these things again.
O. Leslie
Stone, in the May 1975 Ensign said, "To a Latter-day Saint,
a
testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel is the
most
precious possession he can have. It cannot be purchased. No
one can give it
to him. It can only be secured by prayer, by study, by faith,
by
repentance, by righteous living, and by listening to others
bearing their
testimonies and through the manifestation of the Holy Ghost."
Gaining
a testimony of anything of a spiritual nature is hard work.
It
is not something one can easily acquire on a weekend. It takes
days
and weeks of study and prayer. It takes patience and perseverance.
In
gaining a testimony, most people will not have a life altering
event or
feeling. Most will not even recognize the day and time of gaining
a
testimony. Most will simply study and pray and serve and, as
we add up
our life's understandings, we will simply know that what we
have been
taught and studied and prayed about is true.
Elder M.
Russell Ballard, in October 2004, said, "A testimony of
the
reality of Heavenly Father's love, of the life and ministry
of Jesus
Christ, and of the effect of His Atonement on every son and
daughter of God
brings about the desire to repent and live worthy of the companionship
of the Holy Ghost. It also brings a confirmation to our soul
of the
Restoration of the gospel in these latter days. Real testimony
of these
precious truths comes as a witness by the Holy Ghost after sincere
and
dedicated effort, including teaching in the home, prayer, scripture
study, service to others and diligent obedience to Heavenly
Father's
commandments. To gain and forever hold on to a testimony of
gospel truths
is worth whatever price in spiritual preparation we may be required
to
pay."
Once we
have gained a testimony, it takes just as much work to keep
and
build it. However, all experiences in our lives can be used
and built
upon to make our knowledge and conviction of the gospel stronger.
It
has been stated by multiple prophets that personal testimony
is the
foundation or strength of the Church. Therefore, it is important
to share
our beliefs and testimony to strengthen one another and build
that
foundation.
Elder Robert
D. Hales in the October 1994 General Conference said, "Our
testimony is a measurement of our faith…Having a strong
testimony
allows us to help others in their search for truth.
Every
time we state our testimony of Christ, we strengthen it. |
Our testimony
is a gift from God. It should be shared, but we do not have
the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because
a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost. It can aid
others in gaining knowledge for themselves…"
Parents
with little children can teach and encourage them while they
learn the gospel on their own. Bonds of friendship can be cultivated
as you help friends or spouses or others who are just beginning
to
question the gospel or growing their own faith.
Every time we state our
testimony of Christ, we strengthen it. Every time we
humbly state our
beliefs, our convictions grow.
Elder Richard
G. Scott, in General Conference in October 2001,
challenged all of us to evaluate our testimony of Christ. "How
strong is your
own testimony? Is it truly a sustaining power in your life,
or is it
more a hope that what you have learned is true? Is it more than
a vague
belief that worthwhile concepts and patterns of life seem to
be
reasonable and logical? Such mental assent will not help when
you face the
serious challenges that will inevitably come to you. Does your
testimony
guide you to correct decisions? To do so, fundamental truths
must
become part of the very fiber of your character. They must be
an essential
part of your being, more treasured than life itself. If an honest
assessment of your own testimony confirms that it is not as
strong as it
should be, how can it be strengthened?"
As we pray
for strength, read the scriptures, attend our meetings and
faithfully serve, we will be directed in areas to strengthen
and share
our personal testimonies. We will be guided in our journey to
the
truthfulness of the gospel. If we are unsure, we can work to
be sure. If
we need strength while we search, we can receive it.
"Fear
not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."
("How
Firm A Foundation", Hymns, pg. 85 Text: Attr. to Robert
Keen, ca.
1787. Music: Attr. to J. Ellis, ca. 1889)
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"To
any of you…who do not have a testimony or who would like
to
strengthen your testimony, I would recommend a few things that
you can do to
develop or strengthen a testimony.
- Study
the scriptures and other books written by Church leaders.
- Keep
the commandments, which include loving thy neighbor as thyself,
being honest and upright, paying a full tithing and keeping
morally
clean.
- Attend
sacrament meeting and other Church meetings, in which you
can
listen to the testimonies of the faithful members of the Church.
- Associate
with good people.
- Stay
out of the devil's territory by shunning evil.
- Repent
of all sins and imperfections, and repentance includes both
confession and forsaking of such sins.
- Pray
to the Lord.
…As
we seek to develop and strengthen these testimonies, we must
always
rely on the Lord and place our highest priority on spiritual
values."
(O.
Leslie Stone, "Testimony", Ensign, May 1975)
"…having
a testimony alone is not enough. In fact, when we are truly
converted, we cannot be restrained from testifying…Clear
declaration of
truth makes a difference in people's lives. That is what changes
hearts. That is what the Holy Ghost can confirm in the hearts
of God's
children." (M. Russell Ballard, "Pure Testimony",
Ensign, November 2004)
In
the November 1988 Ensign, John K. Carmack lists three dangers
to
watch out for that may cause a loss of faith and testimony.
Arrogance
or pride: "…achievements, in and of themselves neither
morally bad nor good, sometimes lead to pride and away from
humble
dependence on the Lord."
Sin: "Testimonies are weakened by sin."
Substitution: "These (other) pursuits become a substitute
religion
and the governing force in (our) lives."
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