1991
Sharing Time: I Know …
January 1991

“Sharing Time: I Know …” Friend, Jan. 1991, 12

Sharing Time:

I Know …

By Laurel Rohlfing

And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God (John 1:34).

What do you know? Do you know your name and where you live? Do you know how to recognize colors and shapes? Do you know how to count, do arithmetic, read, and spell? If you are older, do you know something about science, history, and literature?

All knowledge is important, but to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true is the most important truth that you can ever learn. This knowledge is called a testimony. A testimony is revealed through the Holy Ghost. “For because of my Spirit [ye] shall know that these things are true” (Ether 4:11).

Through the Holy Ghost, you can know that:

  1. Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Son and our Savior.

  2. Joseph Smith was the prophet through whom God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.

  3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church.

  4. We are led by a living prophet today.

Everyone can gain a testimony, but it takes effort. First, you must really want to have one. Then you need to study the scriptures, obey the commandments, and pray in faith to know the truth. When you have done these things, the Holy Ghost gives you a calm, peaceful feeling in your mind and heart that tells you that the gospel is true.

When you have a testimony, you can testify with confidence, as Job did: “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25).

Instructions

To help you remember some of the important parts of a testimony, cut out the pictures along the broken lines and mount them on heavy paper. Color the pictures, and tape the edges of pictures 3 and 4 together to make one long strip. Accordion-fold the pictures (see illustration) so that your picture-strip will stand on its own. Read the scriptures listed, then put the picture strip in a place where you can see it often.

Part of a testimony
Fold like an accordian

Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker

1—When I have a testimony, I know that:

2—Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Son and our Savior. (See D&C 46:13.)

3—Joseph Smith was the prophet through whom God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. (See D&C 21:1–3; D&C 135:3.)

4—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church. (See D&C 1:30.)

5—We are led by a living prophet today. (See D&C 1:38.)

6—This is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father (D&C 76:22–23).

Sharing Time Ideas

  1. Describe occasions when Heavenly Father acknowledged His Son Jesus Christ. (See Matt. 17:1–5; Mark 1:9–11; 3 Ne. 11:1–7; JS—H 1:11–17.) Have a small group sing “This Is My Beloved Son” (Children’s Songbook, page 76). Dramatize the events, or show pictures from the meetinghouse library.

  2. Read testimonies from the concluding paragraphs of recent general conference addresses. (See May and November Ensign magazines.) Let the children determine which elements of a testimony are included in each.

  3. Hide something in the room, and tell the children to find it, but don’t tell them what they are looking for. Explain that it is easier to find something when you know what it is. It is easier to gain a testimony if you understand what it is. Discuss the elements of a testimony that are listed. Divide the children into four groups, assign one of the four elements listed to each group, and have each discuss and report on why that element is important to know.

  4. Let younger children draw pictures about things that they know or want to know as part of their testimony. Have them pantomime what they must do to obtain a testimony.

  5. Write each scripture listed on the pictures on a separate piece of paper. Then cut each paper into jigsaw puzzle pieces and have the older children put them together.