Study Guide for "The Gift of Testimony"

Elder Gérald Caussé teaches that a testimony of Jesus Christ is a precious, personal gift from God and a gift to share. He explains the distinctive role of apostolic witnesses and the covenant responsibility of every disciple to testify of the Savior. As you study, consider how you can nurture your testimony, express it with humility and love, and follow the Holy Ghost in sharing it with others.

Before Reading

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

What makes a testimony of Jesus Christ a gift from God?
How does the responsibility of an Apostle relate to the responsibility of every disciple to bear witness?
How do testimony and Christlike love strengthen one another?
What gives a simple testimony spiritual power?
Where can you share your witness of Jesus Christ naturally in daily life?

Topics

Recognize Apostles as Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ

Elder Caussé identifies bearing witness of Jesus Christ as his primary responsibility and finds reassurance in the Lord’s promise to stand beside him. Apostles receive a distinctive calling and priesthood keys to bear an authoritative, divinely empowered witness of the living Christ. Their testimony of His gospel, Atonement, and Resurrection remains central to the restored Church.

Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ.

Apostles bear a unique, authoritative, divinely empowered witness of the living Christ—of His divine reality, His gospel, His Atonement, and His Resurrection.

What distinguishes an Apostle’s witness of Jesus Christ?
Why does Elder Caussé identify bearing witness of the Savior as his primary responsibility?
How do the testimonies of living Apostles strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ?
How does the Lord’s promise to stand beside His servants help me approach opportunities to testify?

Keep Your Covenant by Bearing Witness of Christ

The responsibility to bear witness of Jesus Christ extends to all His disciples, not only prophets and apostles. Members demonstrate the reality of the Savior and the blessings of His gospel through both words and deeds. Sharing a witness of God and His Son helps disciples keep their covenant to take upon themselves the name of Christ.

Bearing witness is a foundational responsibility of discipleship.

As members of the Church who have covenanted to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, sharing our witness of God and His Son is an essential way to keep that sacred covenant.

How does bearing testimony help members keep their covenant to take upon themselves Christ’s name?
What does it mean to bear witness through both word and deed?
How do my daily words and actions communicate my faith in Jesus Christ?
In which settings do I need to become more intentional about standing as a witness of God?

Trust and Nurture Your Personal Gift of Testimony

A testimony develops within a personal relationship with God and reflects each person’s experiences, circumstances, and needs. It grows through faith, earnest seeking, gospel living, and the quiet influence of the Holy Ghost. Elder Caussé encourages members to trust, nurture, and share their own testimony rather than expect it to resemble someone else’s.

It grows through faith, earnest seeking, gospel living, and the quiet influence of the Holy Ghost.

Your testimony may be different from mine or that of other family members or fellow Saints. Please trust it, nurture it, and bear it, because it is uniquely yours.

What practices and influences help a testimony grow?
Why can testimonies differ among people who believe the same gospel?
What experiences and spiritual impressions shape my personal witness of Jesus Christ?
Which practice—faith, earnest seeking, or gospel living—needs more attention in my efforts to nurture my testimony?

Share Your Testimony with Gratitude and Humility

Elder Caussé redirects attention from why a person receives a testimony to what the Lord expects that person to do with it. A testimony is not something to hide but a gift to share. Gratitude, humility, and love guide the way disciples offer that gift to others.

What does the Lord expect me to do with this gift?

Our testimony is not a talent to be hidden. It is a gift to be shared—with grateful hearts and in a spirit of humility and love.

How does asking what the Lord expects change the way a person views the gift of testimony?
What attitudes does Elder Caussé teach should accompany testimony sharing?
What do I feel the Lord invites me to do with the testimony I currently have?
How can I share my faith in a way that communicates gratitude, humility, and love rather than a desire to impress?

Express Christlike Love Through Your Testimony

Testimony and love strengthen one another. Sharing a sincere witness of Jesus Christ expresses love for others, while expressing Christlike love bears witness of Him as the source of perfect love. Together, heartfelt expressions of faith and love help create an environment where the Spirit can dwell and bring joy.

Testimony and love are deeply connected gifts that echo and strengthen one another.

Whenever we express Christlike love to those around us, we bear witness of Him, the source of all perfect love.

How can saying “I know” express love for another person?
How does sincere Christlike love serve as a testimony of Jesus Christ?
Who in my life needs both an expression of love and a sincere expression of faith?
How can I help make my home a place where testimony and love invite the Spirit?

Let the Spirit Confirm Your Simple Testimony

A powerful testimony does not require length, eloquence, or dramatic language; it needs to be sincere and true. Elder Caussé’s niece illustrates that even two simple statements of belief can constitute a meaningful witness. The Holy Ghost, rather than verbal skill, confirms truth and gives humble testimony divine power.

There is great power in a sincere, humble, and heartfelt testimony. It need not be long, eloquent, or dramatic—it only needs to be true.

Each of us can bear such a witness, for it is the Spirit—not words—that testifies of the truth.

What does the experience of Elder Caussé’s niece teach about a meaningful testimony?
What role does the Holy Ghost play when someone bears testimony?
What simple statements honestly express what I believe or know about God and His gospel?
What fears about my speaking ability can I set aside as I trust the Holy Ghost to confirm truth?

Strengthen Faith and Offer Hope Through Testimony

Sharing testimony strengthens the person who speaks and can bless those who listen. Elder Caussé teaches that it draws disciples closer to the Lord and helps them become instruments in His hands. Alma’s remembrance of his father’s witness illustrates how a testimony can kindle hope in Jesus Christ and lead someone toward repentance.

As you share it freely, your own testimony will grow stronger.

How many “Almas” are there around you waiting to hear your witness and discover, or rediscover, the hope that is found in Jesus Christ?

How does sharing testimony bless both the speaker and the listener?
How does Alma’s remembrance of his father’s testimony illustrate the influence of a witness of Christ?
What experiences show me that hearing or sharing testimony strengthens faith?
Who around me may need the hope that a sincere witness of Jesus Christ offers?

Seek Daily Opportunities to Testify of Jesus Christ

Elder Caussé invites everyone with even a beginning testimony to look daily for opportunities to share it as the Holy Ghost prompts. Brief, sincere expressions of faith fit naturally into family life, Church settings, ministering, missionary conversations, social media, and ordinary interactions. Consistent testimony sharing can bless lives, strengthen faith, and spread the love of Christ.

If you have received the gift of a testimony—even if it is only the beginning of one—it is your duty and privilege to share it.

I invite you to look each day for opportunities, as prompted by the Holy Ghost, to bear witness of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel—even if only for a minute or two.

What invitation does Elder Caussé extend to people whose testimonies are still beginning?
What makes a brief expression of faith a meaningful opportunity to testify?
Where in my usual daily routine can I share my faith simply and naturally?
How can I prepare to recognize and follow the Holy Ghost’s promptings to testify today?

Center Your Witness on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Elder Caussé concludes by expressing gratitude for the testimony he receives through the power of God. His witness centers on a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and the source of every good gift. He expresses a desire to serve Them and bear witness of Them continually.

I solemnly declare that we have a loving Heavenly Father and that His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of the world and the source of “every good gift.”

I express my earnest desire to serve Them and to bear witness of Them continually, all the days of my life.

What truths about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ anchor Elder Caussé’s concluding testimony?
How does Elder Caussé connect gratitude for testimony with a desire to serve?
What good gifts from Jesus Christ do I recognize in my life, and how do they deepen my gratitude?
What commitment can I make to serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and bear witness of Them more consistently?