Bearing Testimony

A testimony is usually defined as knowledge or assurance of a truth that a person declares by the convincing power of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul taught, “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 12:3). Because the things of God are known only by the power of the Spirit, they must be declared by the Spirit, and that means bearing testimony. Because a testimony is personal, testimony bearing often begins with the pronoun I.(Parents, missionaries, and Church leaders may at times use we.) A testimony can be identified by the use of powerful verbs such as know, testify, believe, certify, declare, affirm, bear witness, bear record. Often it is a declaration of what you know, feel, experience, or believe, such as “We listened, we gazed, we admired!” (JS—H 1:71, note). Generally speaking, a testimony is short, precise, and concise. 

Sometimes we can learn much about a principle by identifying what it is not. I have found that a testimony is:

•     Not an exhortation. Individuals who stand and exhort others in a fast and testimony meeting or even try to call others to repentance, even with the best of intentions, are usurping authority and are often offending others and disrupting the spirit of the meeting.

•     Not an experience, although experiences may illustrate belief and conviction.

•     Not an expression of gratitude or love, although these are often appropriately included in our testimony sharing.

•     Not a public confession.

•     Not a sermon or a talk on some doctrinal point, although someone may quote a scripture and then testify of it.

•     Not a long explanation of how you know but rather what you know.

•     Not merely saying the words “I have a testimony.” It is not inappropriate to say this, but hopefully there is an expression following these words about the doctrines, truths, and principles of which you have a testimony.

(Elder Jay E. Jensen, “Bearing Testimony,” Ensign, October 2005).

A testimony is personal knowledge of spiritual truth obtained by revelation. A testimony is a gift from God and is available to all of His children. Any honest seeker of truth can obtain a testimony by exercising the necessary “particle of faith” in Jesus Christ to “experiment upon” (Alma 32:27) and “try the virtue of the word” (Alma 31:5), to yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” (Mosiah 3:19), and to awaken unto God (see Alma 5:7). Testimony brings increased personal accountability and is a source of purpose, assurance, and joy.

Seeking for and obtaining a testimony of spiritual truth requires asking, seeking, and knocking (see Matthew 7:7; 3 Nephi 14:7) with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in the Savior (see Moroni 10:4). 

Fundamental components of a testimony are:

•     Knowing that Heavenly Father lives and loves us

•     Jesus Christ is our Savior 

•     The fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth in these latter days

(Elder David A. Bednar, “Converted unto the Lord.” Ensign, October 2012).

What you know to be true? 

Write down your testimony.