Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is a testimony according to Elder Stevenson?
- What are some ways to bear our testimonies?
- What are the obstacles in sharing our testimonies and how can we overcome them?
- How can we keep and nourish our testimonies?
- What are the key elements of our testimonies?
Topics
Understanding the Concept of Testimony
Elder Stevenson explains that a testimony is a deeply spiritual belief or knowledge of truth given through the influence of the Holy Ghost. It includes key elements such as the knowledge that God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is our Savior, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's restored Church, and it is led by a living prophet today.
Your testimony is a most precious possession, often associated with deep spiritual feelings.
Key elements of your testimony, confirmed by the Holy Ghost, include: God is your Heavenly Father; you are His child. He loves you.
- What is a testimony according to Elder Stevenson?
- What are the key elements of a testimony?
- How would you describe your personal testimony?
- How have you received your testimony?
Bearing Your Testimony
Elder Stevenson teaches that bearing testimony involves sharing spiritual feelings with others, both through spoken words and through righteous behavior. He encourages us to use opportunities, including digital platforms, to testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You bear your testimony when you share spiritual feelings with others.
Your testimony in Jesus Christ isn’t just what you say—it’s who you are.
- What does it mean to bear your testimony?
- How can we bear our testimonies in our daily lives?
- When was the last time you bore your testimony?
- How can you bear your testimony in your everyday interactions?
Overcoming Obstacles in Sharing Testimony
Elder Stevenson acknowledges that fear and uncertainty about what to say can be obstacles to sharing our testimonies. He shares experiences and teachings that encourage us to bear testimony even when we feel unsure or afraid. He reminds us that feelings of fear do not come from the Lord.
Obstacles to sharing your testimony may include uncertainty about what to say.
Feelings of fear don’t come from the Lord but most often from the adversary.
- What are some obstacles to sharing our testimonies?
- How can we overcome these obstacles?
- What fears or uncertainties do you have about sharing your testimony?
- How can you overcome these fears or uncertainties?
Keeping and Nourishing Your Testimony
Elder Stevenson emphasizes the need to nourish our testimonies with much care. He cites teachings from the First Presidency on how to keep our testimonies, including feasting on the word of God, heartfelt prayer, obedience to the Lord's commandments, partaking of the sacrament each week, and making our testimonies our highest priority.
I believe a testimony is innate within us, yet, in order to keep it and more fully develop it, Alma taught that we must nourish our testimony with much care.
President Henry B. Eyring lovingly taught us that "feasting on the word of God, heartfelt prayer, and obedience to the Lord’s commandments must be applied evenly and continually for your testimony to grow and prosper."
- How can we keep our testimonies?
- What does it mean to nourish our testimonies?
- What are some ways you can nourish your testimony?
- How can you make your testimony your highest priority?
