The document is a guide on bearing testimony within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasizing that a testimony is a personal witness of spiritual truths delivered by the Holy Ghost. It addresses common questions regarding the nature of testimonies, the importance of sharing them, and clarifies that emotional expression and personal stories should not overshadow the core message of belief. The document encourages individuals to share their testimonies regularly, regardless of their personal certainty in those beliefs.

1. Masagana 2nd Ward
Antipolo Philippines Stake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
30 March 2014
Testimony

2. References
 “Testimony”, April 2008 General Conference
https://www.lds.org/general-
conference/2008/04/testimony?lang=eng
 Questions About Bearing Your Testimony
https://www.lds.org/youth/article/questions-about-
bearing-your-testimony?lang=eng

3. Testimony
 What is a testimony?
 Do I have to share a story or experience when I
bear my testimony?
 Do I have to express thanks or love in my
testimony?
 Do I have to cry or show emotion to have a real
testimony?
 If I‟m not sure I have a testimony, do I still try to
share it?
 Video Showing: “A Man Without Eloquence”
 An Invitation

4. What is a testimony?

5. A testimony of the gospel is a
personal witness borne to our
souls by the Holy Ghost that
certain facts of eternal
significance are true and that
we know them to be true. Such
facts include the nature of the
Godhead and our relationship
to its three members, the
effectiveness of the
Atonement, and the reality of
the Restoration.
“Testimony”
April 2008 General Conference
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

6. A testimony of the gospel is not
a travelogue, a health log, or
an expression of love for family
members. It is not a sermon.
President Kimball taught that
the moment we begin
preaching to others, our
testimony is ended.
“Testimony”
April 2008 General Conference
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

7. An example of a testimony…
I know that we have a Heavenly Father, whose plan
brings us to earth and provides the conditions and
destiny of our eternal journey. I know that we have a
Savior, Jesus Christ, whose teachings define the plan
and whose Atonement gives the assurance of
immortality and the opportunity for eternal life. I know
that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet
Joseph Smith to restore the fulness of the gospel in
these latter days. And I know that we are led today by a
prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who holds the
keys to authorize priesthood holders to perform the
ordinances prescribed for our progress toward eternal
life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

8. Do I have to share a story or
experience when I bear my testimony?

9. Do I have to share a story or
experience when I bear my testimony?
People often share stories or personal
experiences when they bear their
testimonies, and these can be a great way of
describing how a testimony grew. But a story is
not a testimony. A short, relevant story can help
you illustrate a point, but make sure to include
how that story enlarged your testimony and what
gospel truths you learned from that experience. A
testimony is what you know about the gospel, not
about where you‟ve been or what you‟ve done.

10. “A testimony is what we
know to be true in our
minds and in our hearts
by the witness of the
Holy Ghost. As we
profess truth rather than
admonish, exhort, or
simply share interesting
experiences, we invite
the Holy Ghost to
confirm the verity of our
words.”
“More Diligent and Concerned
at Home,” Ensign, Nov. 2009,
19.
Elder David A. Bednar
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

11. Do I have to share a story or
experience when I bear my testimony?
Also, be careful about the experiences you share.
Some are deeply personal to yourself or
others, including stories about
sin, repentance, and sacred spiritual experiences.
Stories like these should not be shared in a public
setting unless you feel prompted to. When you do
feel prompted, keep them general, focusing on
what you learned from the experience rather than
the specific details of what happened.

12. Do I have to express thanks or love
in my testimony?

13. Do I have to express thanks or love
in my testimony?
While it is not inappropriate to express
love or appreciation when you bear your
testimony, these expressions are not
considered a testimony. Testimonies focus
on what you have learned spiritually about
the gospel. Expressions of love or
gratitude should not replace a testimony.

14. “[I] 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.‟”
“Pure Testimony,” Ensign, Nov.
2004, 41.
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

15. Do I have to cry or show emotion to
have a real testimony?

16. Do I have to cry or show emotion to
have a real testimony?
Many people cry or show emotion when
they bear testimony or feel the Spirit
strongly, but not everyone has the same
emotional reaction when he or she feels
the Spirit. You do not have to express
emotion the same way as others when
you bear testimony.

17. “I get concerned when it
appears that strong
emotion or free-flowing
tears are equated with the
presence of the Spirit.
Certainly the Spirit of the
Lord can bring strong
emotional
feelings, including
tears, but that outward
manifestation ought not to
be confused with the
presence of the Spirit
itself.”
Preach My Gospel: A Guide to
Missionary Service (2004), 99.
Pres. Howard W. Hunter
14th President
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints

18. If I‟m not sure I have a testimony, do I
still try to share it?

19. If I‟m not sure I have a testimony, do I
still try to share it?
It‟s easy to feel like your testimony isn‟t
strong enough or worth sharing, but as
you share your testimony, you will find
how much of a testimony you really have!
Do not be afraid to bear your testimony.
You will find that the more you share your
testimony, the more it grows.

20. “It is not unusual to have a
missionary say, „How can I bear
testimony until I get one? How
can I testify that God lives, that
Jesus is the Christ, and that the
gospel is true? If I do not have
such a testimony, would that
not be dishonest?‟
“Oh, if I could teach you this
one principle: a testimony is to
be found in the bearing of it!
Pres.Boyd K. Packer, “The Quest for
Spiritual Knowledge,” New Era, Jan.
2007, 6.
Pres.Boyd K. Packer
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

21. “Somewhere in your quest
for spiritual knowledge,
there is that „leap of faith,‟
as the philosophers call it.
It is the moment when you
have gone to the edge of
the light and stepped into
the darkness to discover
that the way is lighted
ahead for just a footstep
or two.”
Pres.Boyd K. Packer, “The Quest for
Spiritual Knowledge,” New Era, Jan.
2007, 6.
Pres.Boyd K. Packer
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

22. “A Man Without Eloquence”
(6 minutes)
Video Showing

23. Invitation

24. Invitation
 When was the last time you shared a testimony
during Fast and Testimony Meeting?
A. Last month?
B. Last quarter?
C. Last 6 months?
D. Last year?
E. Never?
 Will you share your testimony this Sunday, April
06, 2014, during Fast and Testimony Meeting?
 Please limit it to 2 to 3 minutes.

25. Masagana 2nd Ward
Antipolo Philippines Stake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
30 March 2014
Thank You