Lesson on Testimony
1. Game: What am I?
THIS, accompanied by the Spirit, is one of the more powerful teaching tools we have.
THIS DOES NOT burst upon us suddenly. Rather it grows, as Alma said, from a seed of FAITH
THIS is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost.
Some people speak of THIS as if it were a light switch-it's either on or off; you either have IT , or you do not. In reality, THIS is more like a tree that passes through various stages of growth and development. Elder Creig C. Christensen
"Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of THIS. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.
David A. Bednar
Bearing THIS is foundational to our faith.
2. Our lesson today is on TESTIMONY
JOURNAL: write your testimony
JOURNAL: turn page and write the date and TESTIMONY at the top.
A few months ago,I gave a lesson about testimonies. We talked about ways we can testimony to our friends. We ended that lesson with a quote that says “Bear your testimony everyday of your life and when necessary use words.” Today we are going to talk about the USE WORDS part.
2 Nephi 25:26
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins
ASK: How many of you are comfortable walking up to the pulpit to bear your testimony?
Today we are going to SIMPLIFY that tasks.
3. THREE TIPS
Keep it simple.
A testimony is made up of simple statements of truth; pure testimony does not involve entertaining the congregation with humor, giving a "travel log," or sharing a talk-like sermon.
We are studying the NEW TESTAMENT this year and I love that in the first chapter in LUKE, MARY bears her testimony.
Luke 1:46-47, 49
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Elder Scott: "Share principles that help those you love to press forward along the path to eternal life. Remember, we all grow line upon line. You have followed that same pattern in your understanding of the gospel. Keep your sharing of the gospel simple”.
Use “I KNOW" Statements.
A testimony is most simply and most powerfully shared in "I know" statements.
As President Ballard explains; “My experience throughout the Church leads me to worry that too many of our members’ testimonies linger on 'I am thankful' and 'I love,' and too few are able to say with humble but sincere clarity, 'I know.’"
We can have testimonies of every aspect of the gospel, from tithing to Sunday School to reading the scriptures. However, as Elder Uchtdorf shared; “A testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:
HAND 
• God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.
• Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.
• Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days. President [Russell M. Nelson], his counselors, and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the prophets, seers, and revelators in our day
- The Book of Mormon is the word of God.
- Holy Ghost
No matter what we're bearing testimony of, the truth of the Church and all its teachings are rooted in these five points of doctrine. Sharing our testimonies along with the foundational truths they are based on, will increase the power of our words.
Bear Testimony Often.
Whether someone's testimony is deeply rooted or just starting to grow, bearing testimony strengthens it.
President Packer declared; “Oh, if I could teach you this one principle: a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it!”
The most critical thing we can do to strengthen our testimonies and to share it more powerfully is to bear it—often! Share it not just in sacrament meeting, but also at home and with friends, online or in person. Share it in whatever words come. Share it knowing that the spirit will testify of truth to the hearts of those listening. And that, in the end, is really what will make your testimony powerful.
CONCLUSION:
“You may sometimes be tempted to say ‘Will my influence make any difference? I am just one. Will my service affect the work that dramatically? I testify to you that it will. You will never be able to measure your influence for good.” President Thomas S Monson
Chris & Reita Story "It was like pulling teeth to get Dawn to talk about her religion."
"Those who have a testimony of the restored gospel also have a duty to share it. Dallin H. Oaks
JOURNAL: if time - re-write your testimony
Maui
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️ 9:15 am - GRACELAND!
9:30a- National Civil Rights Mus.
️ 7-5pm