Lesson Prepration Guide for "A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard"

In his talk "A Record of What I Have Both Seen and Heard", Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy draws on his experiences as a lawyer and a church leader to discuss the importance of bearing witness to the truthfulness of the gospel. He shares his personal experiences and observations from his service as a Seventy, highlighting the growth and global spread of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Start the lesson by discussing the importance of personal testimony in the gospel and how it can impact others.
Begin with a personal experience where bearing your testimony made a difference in someone's life.
Ask the class to think about a time when they heard a testimony that deeply affected them.

Topics

Understanding the Role of a Witness in Gospel Context

Elder Nielson discusses the role of a witness in both a legal and gospel context, highlighting the importance of testifying to the truthfulness of what they have seen and heard. He emphasizes that credible witnesses are crucial in both settings.

“Witness” and “testimony” are terms that we use as we share our knowledge and feelings about the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be a witness in the gospel context?
How can we be credible witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
In what ways have you personally witnessed the truthfulness of the gospel?
How can we strengthen our testimonies to become stronger witnesses?
Can you share an experience where you bore testimony of what you have seen and heard in the gospel?

Noticing the Growth of the Church Worldwide

Elder Nielson shares his experiences of witnessing the growth of the Church in various parts of the world. He emphasizes that there has never been a better time to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than today.

I testify that based upon what I have both seen and heard, there has never been a better time to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than today.

How have you seen the Church grow in your own life?
What are some ways we can contribute to the growth of the Church?
How does the growth of the Church strengthen your testimony?
Why do you think Elder Nielson says there has never been a better time to be a member of the Church?
How can we support new members in our ward or branch?

Witnessing the Restoration of the Gospel

Elder Nielson testifies of being an eyewitness to the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shares his experiences of visiting missions worldwide and seeing the Church's growth.

I am an eyewitness to the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the fulfilling of the prophecy of Joseph Smith that “the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear.”

What does it mean to be a witness of the Restoration?
How have you personally witnessed the ongoing Restoration of the gospel?
What impact does the ongoing Restoration have on your faith and testimony?
How can we share our witness of the Restoration with others?
How does the prophecy of Joseph Smith about the gospel going forth globally resonate with you?

Recognizing the Faithful Members of the Church

Elder Nielson testifies of the inspiring faithfulness of Church members worldwide. He emphasizes the blessings and happiness that come from keeping God's commandments.

I witness to you that I have seen this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears as I have met you, faithful Saints of God across the earth who keep the commandments.

How have you witnessed the faithfulness of Church members in your own life?
What blessings have you received from keeping the commandments?
How does seeing the faithfulness of other members inspire you?
What can we learn from the faithfulness of Church members in different parts of the world?
How can we support and uplift each other in our shared faithfulness?

Bearing Personal Testimony of Jesus Christ

Elder Nielson concludes his talk by bearing his personal testimony of Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of individual and united testimonies in moving forward with faith.

I declare my witness that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and our Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

What does Elder Nielson's testimony teach us about Jesus Christ?
How does bearing testimony strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ?
How can we develop a personal testimony similar to Elder Nielson's?
How does our personal testimony contribute to the united witness of the Church?
Can you share a time when your testimony of Jesus Christ helped you or someone else?

Additional Discussion Questions

How does Elder Nielson's talk inspire you to bear your testimony?
What can we learn from Elder Nielson's experiences in different parts of the world?
How can we apply Elder Nielson's teachings about being a witness in our daily lives?
What stood out to you most from Elder Nielson's talk?
How can we better share our testimonies with others?
What actions can we take to become better witnesses of the gospel?
How does Elder Nielson's talk affect your perspective on the growth of the Church?
What role does personal testimony play in the ongoing Restoration?
How does the faithfulness of Church members worldwide strengthen the Church as a whole?
How can we strengthen our personal testimonies of Jesus Christ?