Questions and Answers about “Pure Testimony”

“Make your testimony your highest priority.”¹ —President Russell M. Nelson

Image

Joseph Smith praying in the grove

Sacred Prayer, by Linda Curley Christensen, may not be copied

As chief judge, Alma saw “that the people of the church began to wax proud” (Alma 4:6) and “set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another” (Alma 4:8). Instead of enacting laws, Alma chose another to take his place as chief judge, and he devoted himself to preaching the word of God to the people, “seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony” (Alma 4:19).

What are the important parts of a testimony?

We can gain a testimony of all gospel principles, but the foundational truths are these:

God is our Father in Heaven, and He loves us.
Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of God and our Savior.
Joseph Smith is the prophet who was called to restore the gospel.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior’s true Church and is led by a living prophet.²

Is a testimony just words?

“You bear your testimony when you share spiritual feelings with others. …

“Another way you share your testimony is through righteous behavior. Your testimony in Jesus Christ isn’t just what you say—it’s who you are” (Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 112).

What is the power of pure testimony?

President Brigham Young recalled the impact of the sincere and simple testimony of “a man without eloquence, or talents for public speaking, who could only just say, ‘I know, by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the Lord.’ The Holy Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminates my understanding … ; I am encircled by it, filled with it, and know for myself that the testimony of the man is true” (“Discourse,” Deseret News, Feb. 9, 1854, 4).

What if people don’t accept my testimony?

A young adult was sharing her testimony with visitors at Temple Square in Salt Lake City when a man challenged her with hostile questions.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I can only tell you what I do know.”

He cut her off: “Don’t bear your testimony to me.”

“That’s all I have,” she said.

“Well, it’s not much, is it?” he retorted.

The conversation ended, but it was unsettling to her. As she reflected, however, she realized her testimony was more than “not much.” It meant everything to her. It influenced every decision in her life.

In what ways can I share my testimony?

We often think about bearing testimony in sacrament meeting on fast Sunday, but there are many other ways to share our spiritual feelings:

Write a letter to your children or grandchildren sharing your witness of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.
Preserve your testimony on FamilySearch “Memories” to strengthen your posterity.
Post on social media what Jesus Christ means to you.
In Sunday meetings, share how a gospel principle being discussed has blessed your life.