PERSONAL TESTIMONY

CAPSTONE: I didn't truly gain a testimony until I was in the MTC.  Looking back now, this was not the time to do that, I should have already had it and been nourishing it.  Reading the quotes I found stress this point and help me realize that I need to teach my kids what I had not learned.  I do know that having a strong testimony makes your tough decisions easier because you don’t have to think about the choice, you just make the right one.  I stress this to my young women all the time and hope that it will sink in before they get older.  I also know that your testimony can be strengthened and can grow by learning more and sharing it.  Sister Cook said, “To gain a testimony, you must nourish it.”  On the other hand, you can also lose your testimony if you don’t share it or make bad choices that keep the Holy Ghost away.  These quotes about testimony have reminded me to share mine more often.  I get pretty nervous speaking in front of other people, surprising words from a returned missionary, but I should know that my mouth will be filled when I make the effort to share my testimony. -becki johnson

1.        “We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go on to the glorious eternal future we all desire.”

-Robert D. Hales, “The Importance of Receiving A Personal Testimony,” October 1994 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/the-importance-of-receiving-a-personal-testimony?lang=eng

2.        “As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify of the truth of what is in the scriptures and what has been told to me and can be told to you by the Holy Spirit.”

-Robert D. Hales, “Gaining A Testimony Of God The Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; And The Holy Ghost,” April 12008 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/gaining-a-testimony-of-god-the-father-his-son-jesus-christ-and-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng

3.        “Our testimony motivates us to live righteously, and righteous living will cause our testimony to grow stronger.”

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Power Of A Personal Testimony,” October 2006 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/the-power-of-a-personal-testimony?lang=eng

4.        “Every person in the world at some point in his eternal progression is one day going to have to come to the moment of truth when he must answer the question, “What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:42).”

-Robert D. Hales, “What Think Ye Of Christ?” “Whom Say Ye That I Am?” April 1979 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1979/04/what-think-ye-of-christ-whom-say-ye-that-i-am?lang=eng

5.        “To gain a testimony, you must nourish it step by step.”

-Mary N. Cook, “Never, Never, Never Give Up,” March 2010 General YW Meeting  https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2010/03/never-never-never-give-up?lang=eng

6.        “Faith in Jesus Christ and a testimony of Him . . . is not just a doctrine with great theological value. Such faith is a universal gift . . . The powers of reason may be used to try to understand this gift, but those who feel its effects most deeply are those who are willing to accept its blessings, which come from a pure and clean life of following the path of true repentance and living the commandments of God. “

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Fruits Of The First Vision,”April 2005 General Conference  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-fruits-of-the-first-vision?lang=eng

7.        “We can’t do it alone.” Many of us have varying degrees of testimonies. We have all been given the Spirit of Christ at birth. It was a gift. We all have a testimony which we have developed ourselves throughout our lives which the Holy Ghost has helped us to obtain.”

-Robert D Hales, “We Can’t Do It Alone,”  October 1975 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1975/10/we-can-t-do-it-alone?lang=eng

8.       “It isn’t enough for parents alone to have strong testimonies. Children can ride only so long on the coattails of a parent’s conviction.”

-President Thomas S. Monson, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” October 2004 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/if-ye-are-prepared-ye-shall-not-fear?lang=eng

9.        “Once we receive a witness of the Spirit, our testimony is strengthened through study, prayer, and living the gospel. Our growing testimony brings us increased faith in Jesus Christ and His plan of happiness. We are motivated to repent and obey the commandments, which, with a mighty change of heart, leads to our conversion. And our conversion brings divine forgiveness, healing, joy, and the desire to bear our witness to others.”

-Robert D. Hales, “Receiving A Testimony Of The Restored Gospel Of Jesus Christ,” October 2003 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/receiving-a-testimony-of-the-restored-gospel-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

10.    “Testimony is the beginning of and a prerequisite to continuing conversion. Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination.”

-David A. Bednar, “Converted Unto The Lord,”October 2012 General Conference   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/converted-unto-the-lord?lang=eng