Talk Preparation Guide for "The Testimony of Jesus"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk focuses on understanding and living "The Testimony of Jesus". He discusses the importance of this testimony in our eternal destinies, what it entails, how we should respond to it, and what it means to be valiant in this testimony. He emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ in our salvation and invites us to secure our place in the celestial kingdom by being valiant in the testimony of Jesus.

Topics

Understanding the Testimony of Jesus

The testimony of Jesus is the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the divine Son of God, the Messiah and Redeemer. It encompasses the knowledge of His divine role, His resurrection, and His work of salvation.

What is the testimony of Jesus? 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."

It is the "testimony, last of all," given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, "that he lives! … That he is the Only Begotten of the Father—that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."

Key Points:

The testimony of Jesus is the witness of the Holy Spirit that He is the divine Son of God.
This testimony includes the knowledge of Jesus" divine role, His resurrection, and His work of salvation.

Experiences:

When did you first receive your testimony of Jesus Christ?
How has your testimony of Jesus Christ grown over time?
What experiences have strengthened your testimony of Jesus Christ?

Responding to the Testimony of Jesus

Responding to the testimony of Jesus involves accepting it, being baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and living according to the principles and truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The inheritors of the celestial kingdom "receive" the testimony of Jesus in the fullest sense by being baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and overcoming by faith.

The testimony of Jesus is manifest in what they are and what they are becoming.

Their focus is on pursuing "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

Key Points:

Responding to the testimony of Jesus involves accepting it, being baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and living according to the gospel principles.
Those who fully receive the testimony of Jesus are focused on becoming like Him.

Experiences:

How did you respond when you first received your testimony of Jesus Christ?
What changes have you made in your life in response to your testimony of Jesus Christ?
How does your testimony of Jesus Christ influence your daily decisions and actions?

Being Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus involves nurturing and strengthening that testimony, being open about one's witness, heeding His messengers, encouraging others to be valiant, and pursuing personal holiness.

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus surely includes nurturing and strengthening that testimony.

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.

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus means encouraging others, by word and example, to likewise be valiant, especially those of our own families.

One last aspect of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus that I will mention is our individual pursuit of personal holiness.

Key Points:

Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus involves nurturing and strengthening that testimony.
Being valiant includes being open and public about one's witness.
Being valiant involves heeding His messengers and encouraging others to be valiant.
Being valiant includes pursuing personal holiness.

Experiences:

How do you nurture and strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?
When have you been open and public about your witness of Jesus Christ?
How have you encouraged others to be valiant in their testimony of Jesus Christ?
How do you pursue personal holiness in your life?