“How to Gain a Testimony,” New Era, July 2017
From Church Leaders
How to Gain a Testimony
By Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The first step in gaining any kind of knowledge is to really desire toknow. In the case of spiritual knowledge, the next step is to ask God in sincereprayer. As we read in modern revelation, “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receiverevelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know themysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth lifeeternal” (D&C42:61).
Here is what Alma wrote about what he did: “Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:46).
As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something. Jesus taught, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).
Another way to seek a testimony seems astonishing when compared with themethods of obtaining other knowledge. We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearingit. Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feetbearing them than on the knees praying for them.
A personal testimony is fundamental to our faith. Consequently, the thingswe must do to acquire, strengthen, and retain a testimony are vital to our spirituallife. In addition to those already stated, we need to partake of the sacrament eachweek (see D&C 59:9)to qualify for the precious promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with[us]” (D&C20:77). Of course, that Spirit is the source of our testimonies.