Strengthening Our Testimony
Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Elder Ulisses Soares: Let us then start with the first topic, “strengthening our testimony.”
PERU HUANCAYO—QUESTION 2
Elder Soares, my question is, How can we recognize when we are becoming spiritually asleep, and how can we escape this?
BOLIVIA LA PAZ—QUESTION 6
Elder Soares, what counsel would you give to young people who live the gospel, know that it is true in their minds, but do not feel it in their hearts?
CHILE CONCEPCIÓN—QUESTION 11
Hello, Elder Soares. My question is, What is the best way to help loved ones return to the gospel path after they have been inactive for many years?
Elder Soares: My dear friends, a true testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true. This personal witness creates a growing desire in us to turn our hearts to the Savior in faith and repentance, experience a change of heart, receive the ordinances of salvation, and covenant to continuously follow Him throughout our mortal journey. It brings the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ into our lives and focuses all of us toward the same goal of returning to our Father in Heaven. A strong testimony become our motivation to do better in this life and an impenetrable bulwark that protects us from Satan’s unrelenting attacks.
The Savior has established the way for us to strengthen our testimony and to avoid weakening and falling into the trap of spiritual apathy. He said, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” The Lord Himself promised that He would direct our paths if we would accept this invitation.
Some years ago, our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, taught about the need to ignite our spiritual momentum. He said, “We have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now, to counteract the speed with which evil and the darker signs of the times are intensifying.” He suggested five specific things we can do that will help us maintain positive spiritual momentum and consequently can impact our testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here they are: (1) get on the covenant path and stay there, (2) discover the joy of daily repentance, (3) learn about God and how He works, (4) seek for and expect miracles, and (5) end conflict in your personal life. My dear friends, as prophets always do, their teachings are followed by promises: “As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families.” That’s what the prophet said.
My friends, faith is demonstrated by action, and action builds up and strengthens our testimony. As we act in faith on the things taught by our dear prophet, our testimony of the Savior and His gospel will be strengthened, we will keep Christ alive in us, and we will live our lives “rooted and built up in him, and [established] in the faith, … abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Furthermore, you will have more enthusiasm for the gospel, will feel the influence of the Holy Ghost more frequently in your lives, and will become more spiritually resilient and protected against spiritual apathy and a weakening testimony.
Dear, do you have a word about helping others to return to the covenant path who have lost their testimony?
Sister Rosana Soares: Yes. I believe and have always believed that the best way to help return a loved one to the path of the gospel is to love God and the person very much and to be the best example you can be. You can encourage them to come to know God and enjoy the Savior’s perfect love without passing unrighteous judgment or belittling them. The more we love God and obey His commandments, the more we feel love for the person and desire that he or she enjoy gospel blessings no matter where they find themselves on the path of discipleship. I think people have to feel very loved even if their decisions are taking them away from the covenant path.