Study Guide for "The Testimony of Jesus"

In his talk, Elder D. Todd Christofferson explores the concept of "the testimony of Jesus," discussing its meaning, significance, and the role it plays in our eternal destiny. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing, strengthening, and being valiant in our testimony of Jesus Christ. He also shares insights on how we can manifest our testimony through our actions and choices, and the consequences of rejecting or not being valiant in the testimony of Jesus.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is "the testimony of Jesus" as per Elder Christofferson's explanation?
How does Elder Christofferson describe the inhabitants of the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms?
What does it mean to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus?
How can we nurture and strengthen our testimony of Jesus?
What are the consequences of not being valiant in the testimony of Jesus?

Topics

Understanding the Testimony of Jesus

Elder Christofferson explains that the testimony of Jesus is the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the divine Son of God, the Messiah, and Redeemer. It also includes the knowledge that Jesus died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven.

It is the witness of the Holy Spirit that He is the divine Son of God, the Messiah and Redeemer.

It is the knowledge that “there is no other name given whereby salvation cometh.”

What does Elder Christofferson mean by "the testimony of Jesus"?
How does the Holy Spirit play a role in the testimony of Jesus?
How has your own testimony of Jesus Christ been influenced by the Holy Spirit?
In what ways can you strengthen your own testimony of Jesus Christ?

Being Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus includes nurturing and strengthening that testimony through prayer, studying scriptures, Sabbath observance, partaking of the sacrament, repentance, ministering, and worship. It also means being open and public about one's witness, heeding His messengers, encouraging others to be valiant, and pursuing personal holiness.

True disciples do not ignore the seemingly small things that sustain and strengthen their testimony of Jesus.

Being valiant also suggests being open and public about one’s witness.

One aspect of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to heed His messengers.

What does it mean to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus?
How can we nurture and strengthen our testimony of Jesus?
What role does personal holiness play in being valiant in the testimony of Jesus?
In what ways have you been valiant in your testimony of Jesus?
What steps can you take to be more open and public about your testimony of Jesus?
How can you encourage others to be valiant in their testimony of Jesus?

The Consequences of Not Being Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus

Those who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus may end up in the terrestrial kingdom, characterized by a degree of apathy or casualness. Those who reject the testimony of Jesus, His gospel, His covenants, and His prophets end up in the telestial kingdom.

The inhabitants of the telestial kingdom are those who reject the testimony of Jesus along with His gospel, His covenants, and His prophets.

At least some of those who will be found in the terrestrial kingdom also accept the testimony of Jesus, but they are distinguished by what they don't do about it.

What are the consequences of not being valiant in the testimony of Jesus?
How are the inhabitants of the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms characterized in relation to the testimony of Jesus?
How can you avoid the pitfalls of not being valiant in the testimony of Jesus?
What steps can you take to ensure that you are valiant in your testimony of Jesus?

God's Plan of Redemption and the Role of the Testimony of Jesus

God's plan of redemption constitutes a universal opportunity for all His children. The distinguishing characteristic for the inhabitants of each heavenly kingdom is how they relate to "the testimony of Jesus".

God’s plan of redemption constitutes a universal opportunity for all His children, whenever and wherever they may have lived on the earth.

Note that the distinguishing characteristic for the inhabitants of each kingdom is how they relate to “the testimony of Jesus,” ranging from (1) wholehearted devotion to (2) not being valiant to (3) outright rejection.

How does the testimony of Jesus relate to God's plan of redemption?
How does the testimony of Jesus impact the eternal destiny of God's children?
How does your own testimony of Jesus align with God's plan of redemption?
What can you do to ensure that your testimony of Jesus is characterized by wholehearted devotion?

The Importance of Personal Holiness in the Testimony of Jesus

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus also includes the pursuit of personal holiness. Jesus invites us to repent, be baptized, and be sanctified by the Holy Ghost so that we may stand spotless before Him at the last day.

Jesus is our essential Redeemer, and He pleads, “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”

What is the role of personal holiness in the testimony of Jesus?
How does repentance and baptism contribute to personal holiness?
How can you pursue personal holiness in your own life?
How has your testimony of Jesus influenced your pursuit of personal holiness?