“Testimony and Joy,” New Era, Nov. 2014
Testimony and Joy
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth
“God Himself—the Lord of Hosts who knows all truth—has given His children the promise that they can know truth for themselves. …
“He will speak to them in dreams, visions, thoughts, and feelings.
“He will speak in a way that is unmistakable and that transcends human experience. …
“… The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice. …
“… This personal testimony of the gospel and the Church is the most important thing you can earn in this life. …
“… Most often gaining a testimony is not a task of a minute, an hour, or a day. It is not once and done. The process of gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime. …
“… This spiritual light is within the reach of every child of God. It will enlighten your mind and bring healing to your heart and joy to your days.”
“Lord, Is It I?”
“As you hear or read the words of the ancient and modern prophets, refrain from thinking about how the words apply to someone else and ask … : ‘Lord, is it I?’ …
“… Those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a little child and seek to bring their thoughts and actions into harmony with our Father in Heaven—they will experience the miracle of the Savior’s Atonement.”
Living the Gospel Joyful
“Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven. … In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.
“His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings. …
“Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to Him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? …
“He loves you not only for who you are this very day but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become.”