The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(11/17/97)
"I have searched my soul, and I feel that I can say to you that I count by
far the most valuable of all the things which I possess today an abiding
testimony in the divinity of this work. I know that my Redeemer lives. The
certainty and conviction that I feel in my soul today is as certain as
that night follows day."—Elder Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, October
1951, p.25
(11/18/97)
"To maintain and strengthen a testimony, prophets have always reminded tis
to beal it and share it. Elder Spencer W. Kimball stated, "To hold his
testimony one must bear it often and live worthy of it" (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1944, p. 45). Make it known after you know, make its power
evident after you know, and live accordingly after you know."—Elder
Charles A. Didier, Testimony, General Conference, October 1991
(11/19/97)
"But a testimony is not a work that is merely completed and concluded.
Indeed, it is a process in continuous development. Nourishing and
strengthening our testimonies is essential to our spiritual survival.... A
testimony should not be hidden. It must be shared (see D&C 62:3;
84:61)."—Elder Helvecio Martins, The Value Of A Testimony, General
Conference, October 1990
(11/20/97)
"At the lunch table after my first short speech which lasted seven and a
half minutes, President Smith said: 'Heber, you said you believe the
gospel with all your heart, and propose to live it, but you did not bear
your testimony that you know it is true. Don't you know absolutely that
this gospel is true?'
I answered: 'I do not.'
'What, you! a president of a stake?' said President Joseph F. Smith.
'That is what I said.'
'President [John] Taylor, I am in favor of undoing this afternoon what we
did this morning. I do not think any man should preside over a stake who
has not a perfect and abiding knowledge of the divinity of this work.' I
said: 'I am not going to complain.'
Brother Taylor had a habit, when something pleased him excessively, of
shaking his body and laughing. He said, 'Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, he knows
it just as well as you do. The only thing that he does not know is that he
does know it. It will be but a short time until he does know it. He leans
over backwards. You do not need to worry.'"—Heber J. Grant, Gospel
Standards, p.192
(11/21/97)
"Whenever you are called on to speak at a sacrament meeting, would you
teach the gospel! Teach from the scriptures. Bear your
testimony."—Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.442
(11/22/97)
"Bear your testimony to your children, let them know what you know, let
them feel what you feel, let them enjoy the assurances that you have that
this work is the work of God, that we have an especial calling that we are
to do a particular work, that whatever else we may be doing the Lord has
something for us to do; that is distinctly our mission and when our young
people can feel that they are thus called, that they are the salt of the
earth, then they will realize more than ever the importance of their
religion."—Elder Joseph M. Tanner, Conference Report, April 1905, p.82
(5/8/04)
"Jesus, the very thought of Thee fills my heart with inexpressible joy. It
controls every part of my being. My life, my loves, my ambitions are
molded, enlivened, and given purpose because I know that Thou art the
Christ, the Holy One." - Keith B. McMullin, "Jesus,
the
Very Thought of Thee," General Conference, April 2004
(6/30/04)
"The fire of faith and testimony soon falters if it is not fed. Few who
have drifted far away have experienced the frequent referral to gospel
principles that is needed to drive essential truths into the soul to the
extent that behavior begins to change. Few are familiar with the
scriptures, those powerful witnesses of Christ. (See John
5:39.) Their knowledge of the saving and redeeming truths found in
the Book of Mormon is especially deficient. In a word, most require
conversion. We have found that without conversion, activation is fleeting
and superficial. These perceptive words from Alma
23:6 say it best: 'As many as believed, or... were brought to the
knowledge of the truth... and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall
away.'" - Alexander B. Morrison, "Fire
Where
Once Were Ashes," Ensign, August 1990, p. 10
(7/11/04)
"Share our testimony. 'O that I were an angel,' proclaimed Alma, 'and
could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with
the trump of God' (Alma 29:1).
Let others know that you know. Bear your testimony in fast meeting. Tell
your family; tell your friends. You will find when you share your
testimony it becomes stronger, and there are many others around you who
also want to embrace the truth." - Robert D. Hales, "The
Importance
of Receiving a Personal Testimony," Ensign, November 1994, p. 22
(7/29/04)
"We must not hesitate to say, 'I know,' when we do know. It is written in
the Book of Alma that the prophet 'stood upon [his] feet' (Alma
36:23) and manifested unto the people that he had been born of God.
Many times it is recorded that the prophets, the teachers, the leaders
were moved to stand and testify, and did so. I believe in reading widely,
in searching other sources that are instructive and in learning from them,
but the voice that is listened to, the voice that means something, is the
voice that says, with true conviction, 'This I know. I have the
conviction. The Spirit has borne witness to me that this is true.'" -
Marion D. Hanks, "An
Attitude-The
Weightier Matters," Ensign, July 1981, p. 68
(9/15/04)
"The Lord's invitation to follow him is individual and personal, and it is
compelling. We cannot stand forever between two opinions. Each of us must
at some time face the crucial question: 'Whom say ye that I am?' (Matt.
16:15.) Our personal salvation depends on our answer to that
question and our commitment to that answer. Peter's revealed answer was
'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matt.
16:16). Many, many witnesses can give an identical answer by the
same power, and I join with them in humble gratitude. But we must each
answer the question for ourselves-if not now, then later; for at the last
day, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the
Christ. Our challenge is to answer correctly and live accordingly before
it is everlastingly too late. Since Jesus is indeed the Christ, what must
we do?" - Howard W. Hunter, "He
Invites
Us to Follow Him," Ensign, September 1994, p. 2
(9/16/04)
"When the apostle Peter affirmed that Jesus Christ was the Son of the
living God, the Savior called him blessed, 'for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven' (Matt.
16:17). This precious revelation can be part of the personal
experience of every seeker after truth and, once received, becomes a pole
star to guide in all the activities of life." - Dallin H. Oaks, "Revelation,"
New
Era, September 1982, p. 40
(9/17/04)
"As He knew Peter, the Lord understands you and me when our testimonies
may not be the brightly burning bonfire you may think they are or want
them to be. Perhaps in some cases, that testimony is constructed unwisely,
built on a social foundation of programs and personalities instead of the
sure rock of personal revelation. Or perhaps you have allowed your
testimony to flicker gradually through the years of disuse and spiritual
complacency. Regardless of the reason your testimony may be growing dim,
the Savior lovingly urges you to come unto Him and become strengthened in
Him. Said He to Moroni: 'If men come unto me I will show unto them their
weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble;... for if they
humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak
things become strong unto them.' (Ether
12:27.) - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Spiritual
Bonfires
of Testimony," Ensign, November 1992, p. 34-35
(9/18/04)
"'And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' (Matthew
16:13-18.) This rock of revelation is the source of knowledge
concerning the things of God. It is the witness of the Holy Spirit that
testifies of eternal truth, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against any man who seeks it, who accepts it, who cultivates it, and who
lives by it." - Gordon B. Hinckley, "Be Thou an Example," [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1981], p. 8
(9/19/04)
"There is a lot of difference in being knowledgeable of a fact and having
faith and an understanding of it. I believe there are many people in this
world who say, 'I know that Jesus is the Christ.' Well, bless your souls,
the devils know that too, and they tremble. But the person who really
knows it, is the person who lives it and then drinks from the fountain of
righteousness to his soul the great power that makes a man turn and change
his life. You see, when Peter knew by sight that He was the Christ, or by
revelation, as he stood warming his hands by the fire when the maid came
to him and said, 'Thou art one of them; thou art one of the Galileans,' he
answered, 'I know him not.' (See Matt.
22:56-57.) But that same Peter, when he had become converted to the
fact, stood and said, 'Ye men of Galilee and all who dwell herein have
taken the holy One of God and with wicked hands have cruelly crucified
him.' Then when those same people came to him and said, 'We command you
not to speak,' he did not fear and tremble by the fire and say, 'Oh, I'm
sorry I even said the words. I'll go some place else.' Then, because of
conversion by the Spirit, he said, 'Is it better to obey man than God?'
and he went on teaching them what he knew in his heart-not what he had a
mental assent to, but something that he really knew. This is the power of
life-something we really know." - Paul F. Royall, "A Sure Foundation,"
December 17, 1963, "BYU Speeches of the Year," 1963:1
(1/18/05)
"It is most interesting to note that there is something fundamental and
basic in the makeup of man that will sooner or later turn him to his
Creator, provided he does not completely strangle this inclination through
evil works on chronic unbelief, and provided he doesn't condition himself
to settle for less by insisting that what he doesn't know or hasn't
experienced just isn't so....
"And so to those who have tasted the water at many wells only to find that
the unquenching thirst of the soul drives them on in search of that which
will bring peace and nourishment to the heart—to you, whoever you are,
member or nonmember—will you come and drink from this well, and taste and
experiment and see if you have not found the waters of life where you can
drink to your soul and thirst no more but be full with the joy of the true
knowledge of Jesus Christ and his teachings and the purpose of your own
life?" - Loren C. Dunn, "Drink of the Pure Water," Ensign, June 1971, p.
82
(1/29/05)
"A testimony is a priceless gift from God. But even though a person may
receive a witness through the Holy Ghost, there is no guarantee that this
testimony will remain steadfast unless the person exerts constant effort
to keep that testimony alive. Testimonies gained may be lost through
carelessness, indifference, and/or neglect.
"Testimonies need to be nourished and fed. President Lee wisely counseled:
'If we are not reading the scriptures daily, our testimonies are growing
thinner, our spirituality isn't increasing in depth.' (Seminar for
Regional Representatives of the Twelve, December 12, 1970.)" - Henry D.
Taylor, "Man
Cannot
Endure on Borrowed Light," Ensign, June 1971, p. 109
(2/16/05)
"Today I thought I would like to say a few words about the kind of a
foundation we have for our faith, and what we live for, and what our aims
and our ambitions really are. I think of the time the beautiful temple
here on this block was erected, over a hundred years ago. When the
foundation was being laid, we are told that it was sixteen feet wide, and
at one time President Brigham Young came and saw the workmen throwing in
chipped granite. He made them take it out and put in those great granite
blocks with this explanation: "We are building this temple to stand
through the millennium." Isn't that a good thought? Each one of us ought
to want to build our lives and help our families to build their lives so
that we can stand through the millennium." - LeGrand Richards, "Laying
a
Foundation for the Millennium," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 81
(2/24/05)
"I bear my testimony to you, my brothers and sisters, that I know that the
gospel is true....
"I have had the assurance of this since the day, as a young missionary in
Pennsylvania, when I placed a Book of Mormon in the hands of an
investigator who went directly to a clump of bushes in a park to ask God
if this book were true. He returned convinced and asked for baptism. And
again when a farmer in Pennsylvania met us at the farm gate to say, 'I
have been expecting you. I have seen you in my dreams.' After a day and
night of giving them a message of the restoration, I witnessed this family
of five request baptism, which was accomplished by damming the creek in
back of their barn." - Alvin R. Dyer, "The
Nobility
of Man in Choosing Good Over Evil," Ensign, Dec. 1971, 122
(4/4/05)
"We do not have to protect ourselves from wolf packs as we travel the road
of life today, but, in a spiritual sense, we do face the devious wolves of
Satan in the forms of temptation, evil, and sin. We live in dangerous
times when these ravenous wolves roam the spiritual countryside in search
of those who may be weak in faith or feeble in their conviction. In his
first epistle, Peter described our 'adversary the devil, as a roaring lion
[that] walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.' (1
Pet. 5:8.) The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that 'enemies
prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb.' (D&C
122:6.) We are all vulnerable to attack. However, we can fortify
ourselves with the protection provided by a burning testimony that, like a
bonfire, has been built adequately and maintained carefully." - Joseph B.
Wirthlin, "Spiritual
Bonfires
of Testimony," Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 34
(6/26/05)
"How do you get a testimony? I think that Jesus gave the answer as well or
better than it has ever been given. As he taught in the temple at the
Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles, the Jews—although they were even then
plotting his death—marveled at his teachings and said, 'How knoweth this
man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 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 7:15–17.)
This statement points the way so clearly and simply that even 'wayfaring
men, though fools,' need 'not err therein.' (Isa.
35:8.)" - Marion G. Romney, "How
to
Gain a Testimony," New Era, May 1976, 12
(8/3/05)
"Who can measure the influence of simple, sacred words of testimony? Who
can calculate the impact of the Spirit that confirms those words? The
seeds of testimony that are planted in the hearts of children when they
are young are nourished throughout their lives by hearing the testimonies
of those who love them enough to bear witness of the truth." - Susan L.
Warner, "Bear
Record
of Him," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 67
(9/4/05)
"Some time ago a gentleman came and asked, 'Why do you believe this is the
Gospel? and why are you a member of this Church?' I said, 'My answer to
that is very brief: I belong to this Church, because it is the Church of
Jesus Christ, and that is the reason I am here declaring its truth unto
the people.' I believe that most of our young people have a knowledge of
the Gospel, and have a testimony of it, but many of them are not aware of
the fact. Sometimes we are dilatory
and lazy; we think the Lord is going to do all for us. We go to school or
to the university, and the young man or woman who wishes to progress, and
receive a degree, must burn the midnight oil; and yet, to get a knowledge
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they feel that all that is necessary for
them to do is to ask their Father in heaven, and, without any effort on
their part, the Lord will manifest the truth unto them. I want to say that
God requires that we shall seek Him earnestly, exerting the powers and
faculties He has given us, and then will He impart a testimony of the
truths of heaven." - Joseph A. McRae, "Conference Report," October 1907,
Overflow Meeting, p. 77-78
(11/6/05)
"This thing which we call testimony is the great strength of the Church.
It is the wellspring of faith and activity. It is difficult to explain. It
is difficult to quantify. It is an elusive and mysterious thing, and yet
it is as real and powerful as any force on the earth. The Lord described
it when He spoke to Nicodemus and said, 'The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit'
(John 3:8). This thing
which we call testimony is difficult to define, but its fruits are plainly
evident. It is the Holy Spirit testifying through us." - Gordon B.
Hinckley, "Testimony,"
Ensign
(CR), May 1998, p.69
12/5/05
"In our own lives, in our daily workaday world, we can create our own
'mountaintop experience' so unique and personal that I wonder why more of
us do not readily do so. The spiritual mountaintop of which I speak is the
development and refining of a testimony of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. Just as we can stand on the top of any great mountain and
experience an awe-inspiring panorama, I believe we can stand in our own
places and experience overwhelming awe in knowing that the Savior, in an
act of love which defies mortal understanding, gave his life in taking
upon himself our pain and suffering." - Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual
Mountaintops," Ensign (CR), November 1995, p.9
2/16/06
"I want to bear record to my brethren and sisters here that there is no
other way of retaining the spirit of this work and the fellowship of the
Holy Ghost than through faithfulness and diligence in observing to keep
the commandments of the Lord. The individual who will be humble all the
day long and strive to keep the commandments of the Lord will never
apostatize or become dissatisfied, but he or she will be preserved in the
truth, and by and by will sit down in the mansions of the Father, to enjoy
the blessings of eternal life. People who are spiritually-minded are
devoted to the work. They pay their tithes and their offerings; they go to
the ward meetings and to the stake meetings, and they are willing to
devote their time, their talents and their all for the building up of the
kingdom of God on the earth." - Marriner W. Merrill, Conference Report,
April 1902, Afternoon Session, p.40
4/18/06
"Simply stated, testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed
by the Holy Ghost—changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do.
It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every
choice you make. To have a real and abiding testimony of the gospel of
Jesus Christ is to be 'spiritually... born of God,' to '[receive] his
image in your countenances,' and to experience a 'mighty change in your
hearts' (Alma 5:14)."
- M. Russell Ballard, "Pure
Testimony," Ensign (CR), November 2004, p.40
9/14/06
"Every person who receives baptism into the Church and has received and
felt the confirmation of the Spirit through the gift of the Holy Ghost
stands as a witness 'of God at all times and in all things, and in all
places' (Mosiah 18:9).
When partaking of the sacrament, that person renews that witness to take
the Savior's name, keep his commandments, and remember him. A person so
moved by the Spirit not only knows these things himself, but the Spirit
carries them into the hearts of others. This is the basis of the Church's
great missionary effort. 'For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy
Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the
children of men' (2 Ne.
33:1).
"The witness of the Holy Ghost is even more compelling than the witness of
sight. As members of the Church, we become witnesses of the Savior and the
truthfulness of this work not only in word but also in keeping our
covenants and in how we treat others and in how we live our everyday
lives." - Loren C. Dunn, "Witnesses,"
Ensign
(CR), November 1995, p.28
9/16/06
"Wherever we live in this world, we see the glorious rising sun, which
bears record of the Light of Christ that fills our hearts and enlightens
our minds. The mighty rivers and the meandering streams bear record that
the Savior is the source of the living water that can quench our thirst
for spiritual things. The lilies of the field and even the smallest
sparrow bear record of His generous and personal care.
"But of all God's remarkable creations, only we, His children, are created
in His image and likeness. Only we, His children, have the capacity to
develop our own spiritual convictions. And only we, His children, can give
voice and expression to our witness of Him. We, His children, rejoice in
our privilege and sacred obligation to bear record of Him and His gospel."
- Susan L. Warner, "Bear
Record
of Him," Ensign (CR), November 1998, p.66
10/20/06
"Our motives and thoughts ultimately influence our actions. The testimony
of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the most
powerful motivating force in our lives. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the
power of good thoughts and proper motives: 'Look unto me in every thought;
doubt not, fear not' (D&C
6:36).
"The testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel will help us in our
lives to learn of God's specific plan for us and then to act accordingly.
It gives us assurance of the reality, truth, and goodness of God, of the
teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and of the divine calling of
latter-day prophets. 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," Ensign, November 2006
10/27/06
"At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end, no dawn to
break the night's darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken
hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of
vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea, 'Is there no balm
in Gilead?' (Jeremiah
8:22). We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through
the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone.
"How can we build a foundation strong enough to withstand such
vicissitudes of life? How can we maintain the faith and testimony which
will be required, that we might experience the joy promised to the
faithful? Constant, steady effort is necessary. Most of us have
experienced inspiration so strong that it brings tears to our eyes and a
determination to ever remain faithful. I have heard the statement, 'If I
could just keep these feelings with me always, I would never have trouble
doing what I should.' Such feelings, however, can be fleeting. The
inspiration we feel during these conference sessions may diminish and fade
as Monday comes and we face the routines of work, of school, of managing
our homes and families. Such can easily take our minds from the holy to
the mundane, from that which uplifts to that which, if we allow it, will
chip away at our testimonies, our strong foundations.
"May I offer three guidelines to help us in our quest.
"First, fortify your foundation through prayer....
"My second guideline: Let us study the scriptures and 'meditate therein
day and night,...'
"My third guideline for building a strong foundation of faith and
testimony involves service." - Thomas S. Monson, "How
Firm
a Foundation," Ensign, November 2006
11/28/06
"Why am I a Mormon? Why, I came to the earth to be one. It was the object
of my descent from the life pre-existent into this lower world of
mortality. I believe it is expected of me; that I made a covenant to that
effect before leaving the presence of my Father and God, to take upon me
this clay; and that if I were to break my covenant and prove false to the
trust reposed in me, I would become bankrupt in the estimation of my best
and dearest friends. It is to preserve my credit with the heavens that I
am a Latter-day Saint, and to keep the way open for my return to what I
had formerly, taking with me what I earn as the reward of faithful service
in this probation. There is joy in heaven over the victorious return of
every soul engaged in the great conflict here below; but the heavens weep,
as they wept over fallen Lucifer, when a soul surrenders to sin, turns
traitor to God, and forsakes the cause of the great Captain for which it
was sent forth to battle.
"The skeptical reader will, of course, say I am a fanatic, and that all
this is mere drivel-idle, visionary speculation. To such I would answer,
that may be your reason, or what you mistake as a reason, for not
believing it. But I am not at present dealing with other people's reasons
for believing or disbelieving anything. I am simply trying to make plain
my own. For some good and sufficient cause, I was deemed worthy of coming
here to be a Mormon, or Latter-day Saint. What I had done to merit the
high honor, I do not know, or do not now recollect. But one thing I am
certain of, as certain as I am that I live; it was an honor, a most
precious privilege; one which the wealth of worlds would not now tempt me
to barter or forego." - Orson F. Whitney, "The Contributor," Volume 8
1/13/07
"The Savior has proclaimed what we might regard as a scientific pattern
which must be followed if one attains a testimony and retains it. First,
he must have a strong desire to gain a testimony. Second, he must study
the holy scriptures prayerfully and with an open mind. You recall that the
Master declared: 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.' (John
5:39; D&C 1:37.)
Third, a person must render obedience to God's commandments. Jesus made
this fact clear. He said: 'My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
"'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
7:16-17.) And fourth, he must pray to God the Father in the name of
Jesus Christ and sincerely ask for a testimony. By doing these things a
person receives a testimony that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is
true." - Milton R. Hunter, "Conference Report," October 1965, Afternoon
Meeting, p.82
2/5/07
"I bear you my witness in all humility that if your children and my
children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren remain faithful
to this church, it will be because you and I remained steadfast in the
testimony that these men [the First Presidency and the Twelve] are the
prophets of the living God and that we must follow their counsel if we
would be saved in the days of peril. Therefore, 'stand ye in holy places,
and be not moved' (D&C
87:8), that we might abide the day of the coming of the Son of Man
and be caught up in the clouds of heaven to meet our Redeemer when He
comes on earth to reign, and reign with Him a thousand years with our
children and the redeemed of our Father's house. - Harold B. Lee, "The
Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.521
4/24/07
"The wonderful thing about knowing it is true is that you know
simultaneously that God the Father and Jesus Christ live and stand at the
head of this Church today. I gained that knowledge when I was 11, and now
I stand before you as an ordained especial witness of Jesus Christ and
testify it is true. I also testify that the Lord wants you to know it is
true, and He 'will [reveal] the truth of it unto you, by the power of the
Holy Ghost' (Moroni 10:4)."
- Glenn L. Pace, "Do
You
Know?" General Conference, April 2007
7/13/07
Personal, sincere involvement in the scriptures produces faith, hope, and
solutions to our daily challenges. Frequently reading, pondering, and
applying the lessons of the scriptures, combined with prayer, become an
irreplaceable part of gaining and sustaining a strong, vibrant testimony."
- Donald L. Staheli, "Securing
Our
Testimonies," Ensign (CR), November 2004, p.37
8/10/07
"My beloved brothers and sisters and friends, I have lived a long time. As
I look back over my life, I recognize one source of singular strength and
blessing. It is my testimony and knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the
Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. I am profoundly grateful that all of
my life I have had a simple faith that Jesus is the Christ. That witness
has been confirmed to me hundreds of times. It is the crowning knowledge
of my soul. It is the spiritual light of my being. It is the cornerstone
of my life." - James E. Faust, "A
Growing Testimony," Ensign (CR), November 2000, p.53 (on the day of
his passing)
8/13/07
"Young people, do not lose your testimony. You may discover sometimes that
you are in doubt. I think we all have. You may sometimes wonder if your
testimony is waning, but let that be a signal to you, let that be the time
that you come to one of your brethren, one of your friends; that is the
signal for you quickly to associate yourself with the Church and become
very active in the Church, that is the time that you must confide in God
your Eternal Father." - Thorpe B. Isaacson, "Conference Report," October
1952, Afternoon Meeting, p.66
10/14/07
"The most valuable power we can possess is the treasure of a personal
testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning power." - Enrique R.
Falabella, "Why
Are
We Members of the Only True Church?" General Conference, 6 October
2007
11/13/07
"In the genius of the gospel plan, there ultimately only has to be one
witness, but that witness must be you. The testimony of others may
initiate and nourish the desire for faith and testimony, but eventually
every individual must find out for himself. None can permanently endure on
borrowed light.
"The restored gospel is not truer today than when a solitary boy walked out of the Sacred Grove in 1820. Truth has never been dependent on the number who embrace it. When Joseph left the grove, there was only one man on earth who knew the truth about God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is necessary, however, that each find out for himself and carry that burning testimony into the next life." - Douglas L. Callister, "Knowing What We Know," General Conference, 7 October 2007
1/10/08
"For all who have borne witness of this work and all who will yet bear
witness of this work, in my day and my time, I bear that witness and
testimony to you this day at this time. I know that there is a God in
heaven, and I know He lives. I know God lives. I know He lives. I know He
lives, and I know that He is the Father of all of us. I know that God our
Father is in this work in great congregations such as this, and in the
smallest branch and the smallest congregation God is in this work. I know
that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer and that He has purchased
us by the shedding of His blood and by the anguish which He suffered on
Gethsemane. I know that apostles and prophets are at the foundation of
this work, beginning with the Prophet Joseph and coming to President
Gordon B. Hinckley this day. This, my brothers and sisters, is the gospel
of Jesus Christ. This work is true." - Loren C. Dunn, "Testimony,"
Ensign (CR), November 2000, p.13
1/28/08
"Of these things I give solemn testimony, bearing witness to all within
the sound of my voice that God has spoken again to open this final
glorious dispensation; that his Church is here, the Church which carries
the name of his Beloved Son; that there has come from the earth the record
of an ancient people bearing witness to this generation of the work of the
Almighty; that the everlasting priesthood is among men for their blessing
and the governance of his work; that this is the true and living Church of
Jesus Christ, brought forth for the blessing of all who will receive its
message; that it is immovably established on a foundation of Apostles and
prophets, with cornerstones of unshakable firmness put in place by him for
the accomplishment of his eternal purposes, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief cornerstone." - Gordon B. Hinckley, "The
Cornerstones
of Our Faith," Ensign (CR), November 1984, p.50
4/19/08
"One of the greatest things about our Heavenly Father’s plan for His
children is that each of us can know the truth of that plan for ourselves.
That revealed knowledge does not come from books, from scientific proof,
or from intellectual pondering. As with the Apostle Peter, we can receive
that knowledge directly from our Heavenly Father through the witness of
the Holy Ghost.
"When we know spiritual truths by spiritual means, we can be just as sure of that knowledge as scholars and scientists are of the different kinds of knowledge they have acquired by different methods." - Dallin H. Oaks, "Testimony," General Conference, April 2008
8/12/08
"The power of a plain, unadorned testimony is always impressive to me. I
recall a twelve-year-old boy standing in front of a large congregation to
share his testimony. As he stood trembling in fear and emotion, his voice
failed him. He stood speechless; our hearts went out to him. The creeping
seconds dragged on, making the silence of the moment intense. Prayerfully
we hoped that he might gain composure and the ability to express his
testimony. After great uneasiness and anxiety peculiar to a young person
in such a circumstance, he raised his bowed head and softly
said, 'Brothers and sisters, my testimony is too small.' He cleared
his voice and sat down. His message had been given. I thought then, as I
think now, what a timely observation. Whose testimony isn’t too small?
Whose testimony doesn’t need to be added upon? After this one-sentence
sermon, I acknowledged before the congregation that my testimony was too
small also and I was going to give it a chance to grow by more frequent
sharing. I had been taught by a plain, simple statement." - Marvin J.
Ashton, "The Power of Plainness," Ensign (CR), May 1977, p.66
8/22/08
"To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to bridle our passions,
control our appetites, and rise above carnal and evil things. It is to
overcome the world as did he who is our prototype and who himself was the
most valiant of all our Father’s children. It is to be morally clean, to
pay our tithes and offerings, to honor the Sabbath day, to pray with full
purpose of heart, to lay our all upon the altar if called upon to do so."
- Bruce R. McConkie, "Be Valiant in the Fight of Faith," Ensign (CR),
November 1974, p.33
8/29/08
"Many of us say, 'I believe,' but can we say as Job did, 'I
know.' Can we say we know that God lives, and that Jesus is the Christ,
and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, and that the gospel of
Jesus Christ has been restored in this, the latter day? This is the
question that we have to answer, and the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us
the answer thereto. Through the tempering process of life we may become
strengthened even to perfection, as we conquer and endure to the end, that
we too may have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Eldred G.
Smith, "Conference Report," October 1958, Afternoon Meeting, p.24
2/12/09
"The strength of this church does not depend alone upon the prophets and
apostles of earlier dispensations nor upon the testimony of the General
Authorities of the present. The strength of this church is in the
testimony and faith of its members, and every member may have that
testimony if he will seek it through study and sincere prayer and if he
will keep the commandments the Lord has given us. That testimony will
become a knowledge of the truth of this work. Through righteous living and
unselfish service, it will grow stronger day by day and will develop into
a knowledge that nothing but carelessness or sin can weaken or destroy." -
Joseph Anderson, "The Matter of Personal Testimony," Ensign (CR), May
1976, p.87
3/13/09
"Satan wants us to fail to reach that mountaintop that will allow us to
develop a testimony so powerful that he will be unable to influence us.
His work is to thwart our efforts, but the Lord has counseled
us, 'Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine
against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail' (D&C
6:34).
"We have every confidence that earth and hell will not overtake you, but
it will require that you move from your current plateaus and climb to
higher ground." - Jack H Goaslind, "Spiritual Mountaintops," Ensign (CR),
November 1995, p.9
11/6/09
“Now, the Lord has made known to us a few simple truths in regard to our
being–who we are, where we came from, what we are here for, where we are
going to, and what is to be our final destiny. These things in our minds
are not mere articles of faith, they are not myths, they are not mere
opinions or sentiments, but they are to us … ‘absolute truths;’ they have
been revealed from the Almighty, and are his word to us and not the say-so
of men. God has borne testimony of the truth of them in our own hearts;
and to us they have become absolute truths. We are not left in doubt about
them; they are to us facts as palpable as the fact of our existence.” –
Charles W. Penrose, “Journal of Discourses,” 26 vols., 23:159
12/11/09
“The relationship between testimony and appropriate action is emphasized
in the Savior’s instruction to the Saints in Kirtland: ‘That which the
Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do’ (D&C
46:7). Our testimony of gospel truth should be reflected both in our
words and in our deeds. And our testimonies are proclaimed and lived most
powerfully in our own homes. Spouses, parents, and children should strive
to overcome any hesitancy, reluctance, or embarrassment about bearing
testimony. We should both create and look for opportunities to bear
testimony of gospel truths—and live them.” – David A. Bednar, “More
Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, November 2009
12/30/09
“I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and
thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our
times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the
Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies.” – Jeffrey R. Holland, “Safety
for the Soul,” Ensign, November 2009
1/19/10
“Certainly, the experience of others who have consistently obeyed gospel
requirements is of value to the seeker after a testimony. Children are
wise in accepting the experiences of their parents. Beginners do well to
trust those who are seasoned in gospel living. But, there comes a time
when every person must find out for himself, in his own daily life, the
value of the gospel. A sufficient testimony comes only to him who ‘stands
upon his own feet.’” - John A. Widtsoe, “Evidences and Reconciliations,”
p. 17
2/20/10
“A personal testimony after we have received it, I have learned, and I am
grateful that I have learned it, needs to be constantly reinforced. We may
have had some faith-promoting experience in our lives, and many of us
have; we may have even witnessed a miracle, and some of us have. Someone
has said our testimony may be a dynamic concept based upon evidence,
proof, and revelation. It may have been acquired through study and prayer,
but if our testimony ceases to grow, it may finally cease to be.” - Thorpe
B. Isaacson, “Conference Report,” October 1952, Afternoon Meeting, p. 64
4/11/10
"A testimony must be renewed daily. Testimony is as elusive as a moonbeam;
it's as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every morning of
your life. You have to hold on by study, and by faith, and by prayer. If
you allow yourself to be angry, if you allow yourself to get into the
wrong kind of company, you listen to the wrong kind of stories, you are
studying the wrong kind of subjects, you are engaging in sinful practices,
there is nothing that will be more deadening as to take away the Spirit of
the Lord from you until it will be as though you had walked from a lighted
room when you go out of this building, as though you had gone out into a
darkness." - "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J.
Williams, p. 139
6/7/10
"May I conclude by reminding you of the first thing that I said, things
'seen and heard.' How necessary it is for a parent to bear that witness! I
have an aged great-grandmother, long since dead, who in her ninety-seventh
year was approached by one who had lost faith, and thinking perhaps that
the grandmother, too, had lost some, said to her, 'You knew the Prophet.
What did you think of him?' This aged woman had endured the vicissitudes
of the seventies' trek from Kirtland to Missouri, had suffered through
Haun's Mill with her infant child in her arms, had counted the long miles
across the plains, and then had lived through years of poverty in Utah.
She smiled as she looked at this person, and I think disappointed the
person, too, because this is what she said: 'We all knew that he was a
Prophet.'" - S. Dilworth Young, "Conference Report," October 1956,
Afternoon Meeting, p. 69
9/26/10
"The Father revealed to us that He lives, that Jesus Christ is His Beloved
Son, and that He loved us enough to send that Son to save us, who are His
children. And because I have a testimony that He called that unlettered
boy as an apostle and prophet, I trust His apostles and prophets today and
those they call to serve God.
"That trust has blessed my life and the lives of my family.” - Henry B.
Eyring, "Trust
in God, Then Go and Do,” Ensign (CR) October 2010
7/29/11
The Savior attempted to impress his questioners with the fact that the
real power in the kingdom of God is not represented in outwardly
observable things. Its strength is in the quality of the lives of its
members. It is in the depth of their purity, their charity, their faith,
their integrity, and their devotion to truth. This great lesson escaped
the perception of the Pharisees. It has significance for us today. - Dean
L. Larsen, "The
Strength of the Kingdom Is Within," Ensign (CR) October 1981
9/21/14
“How can we be certain that the
Church is true?” Can anyone gain a so-called perfect testimony here
in mortality? I think all of us here are still in the never-ending
process of a developing testimony. Youth of Zion, forget about
receiving a miracle, or the so-called sure sign from heaven. There
are no shortcuts to eternity. Thus, extreme patience becomes another
key factor as we develop our testimony over a lifetime. It is simply
“line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a
little,” just as the scriptures say (D&C
128:21). - Robert L.
Simpson, “No
Shortcuts,” Ensign (CR) May 1987
10/21/14
Some people speak of a testimony as if it were a light switch—it’s
either on or off; you either have a testimony, or you do not. In
reality, a testimony is more like a tree that passes through various
stages of growth and development. Some of the tallest trees on earth
are found in Redwood National Park in the western United States. When
you stand at the base of these massive trees, it is amazing to think
that each one grew from a tiny seed. So it is with our testimonies.
Although they may begin with a single spiritual experience, they grow
and develop over time through constant nourishment and frequent
spiritual encounters. - Craig C.
Christensen, “I
Know These Things of Myself,” Ensign (CR) November 2014
11/4/14
To
those who believe but wish their belief to be strengthened, I urge
you to walk in faith and trust in God. Spiritual knowledge always
requires an exercise of faith. We acquire a testimony of the
principles of the gospel by obediently trying to live them. Said the
Savior, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine.” A testimony of the efficacy of prayer comes through
humble and sincere prayer. A testimony of tithing comes by paying
tithing. Do not let your private doubts separate you from the divine
source of knowledge. Prayerfully go forward, humbly seeking eternal
light, and your unbelief will be dispelled. I testify that if you
continue in the purposeful process of searching for and accepting
spiritual light, truth, and knowledge, it will surely come. By going
forward in faith, you will find that your faith will increase. Like
a good seed, if it is not cast out by your unbelief, it will swell
within your breast. - James E.
Faust, “Lord,
I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign (CR) October
2003
12/6/14
Admittedly, it is easier to talk
about a testimony than to obtain one. The Lord intended that we
should work hard to obtain a testimony, for that will make our
testimonies stronger, and they will be more apt to remain with us.
Always remember that no good thing comes without effort and
sacrifice. - O. Leslie Stone, “Testimony,”
Ensign (CR) April 1975
1/6/15
We live in perilous times. The influence of Satan often appears to
be unchecked and overwhelming. Remember the promise that God has
given to those who build and maintain brightly burning bonfires of
testimony to counter the wolves that threaten us. This is His
promise: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I
am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will … uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isa. 41:10.) - Joseph
B. Wirthlin, “Spiritual
Bonfires of Testimony,” Ensign (CR) October 1992
1/30/15
If you are in possession of something that is dearer to you than life
itself, and you know that by giving it away you could enrich the lives
of your fellowmen without making your life any poorer, you would want to
do it, wouldn’t you? My testimony of the divinity of this Church is that
treasure dearer to me than life itself, and I have given it away to
many, many people whose lives have been enriched by virtue of the same.
- LeGrand Richards, “A
Testimony,” Ensign (CR) October 1980
6/1/15
How essential is this bearing of testimony to the divinity of the
Lord Jesus Christ? Why, it is the first essential credential of a
Christian. Jesus himself set the example, when, in justifying
himself before the Jews, he said: "I am one that bear witness of
myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." (John
8:18.) And from all we can learn from scripture, we must conclude
that there is but one indispensable fact which lies at the basis of
the whole Christian doctrine to which witness must be borne, and
that is that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and sent by him to
perform his mission in the world. - Stephen
L. Richards, Conference Report, October 1956, Second Day—Morning
Meeting, p. 42
6/10/15
There is one final thing we spoke of: if one is to learn the answers
to the basic spiritual problems of his life and is to pursue a
purposeful program fruitfully and happily, he must have a motivation,
an "inner aim" our friends sometimes call it, a spiritual assurance, a
testimony which will inspire and impel him to learn and to live. The
enjoyment of that testimony is one of the great possibilities that has
come to us through the restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. - Marion D. Hanks, "Conference Report," April 1956, Third
Day—Morning Meeting, p. 100
7/9/15
In the genius of the gospel
plan, there ultimately only has to be one witness, but that
witness must be you. The testimony of others may initiate and
nourish the desire for faith and testimony, but eventually every
individual must find out for himself. None can permanently endure
on borrowed light. - Douglas L.
Callister, "Knowing
That We Know,” Ensign (CR) October 2007
8/11/15
Some of the greatest
opportunities to create and transmit a legacy of testimony cannot be
planned. Tragedy, loss, and hurt often arrive unanticipated. How we
react when we are surprised will tell our families whether what we
have taught and testified lies deep in our hearts. - Henry
B. Eyring, "A
Legacy of Testimony," Ensign (CR), May 1996, p. 62
11/26/15
I
am grateful beyond any measure of expression that I have for the
absolute certainty that there is in my heart of the divinity of this
work, and I know that God Almighty will give any man this knowledge
and open the door to possible, eventual salvation and exaltation to
any man who will come in faith, believing, knocking at the door, and
asking that he may receive the truth. - Bruce
R. McConkie, Conference Report, October 1954, Afternoon Meeting,
p.125
12/15/15
This idea of growing up unto the Lord is a compelling one. Unlike
the process of growing up physically, we will not mature spiritually
until we choose, as the Apostle Paul phrased it, to "put away
childish things.” - Anne C.
Pingree, "To
Grow Up unto the Lord,” Ensign (CR) April 2006
1/17/16
Brothers and sisters, never hesitate to bear your testimony with
sincerity and love. The power of personal testimony cannot be denied
and often ignites in others the interest to know more. - M.
Russell Ballard, "Faith,
Family, Facts, and Fruits,” Ensign (CR), October 2007
1/22/16
A powerful testimony distills from quiet moments of prayer and
pondering as you recognize the impressions that will accompany such
effort. Humble, trusting prayer brings consolation, solace, comfort,
direction, and peace the unworthy can never know. - Richard
G. Scott, "The
Power of a Strong Testimony," Ensign (CR), November 2001,
p.87
4/7/16
I
know from experience what the faith of good people can do to bring
words from the Spirit at the close of a sermon. More than once,
someone has said to me after my testimony, “How did you know what I
so needed to hear?” I have learned not to be surprised when I cannot
remember saying the words. I spoke the words of testimony, but the
Lord was there, giving them to me in the moment. The promise that
the Lord will give us words in the very moment applies especially to
testimony (see D&C
24:6). Listen carefully to the testimonies borne in this
conference—you will feel closer to the Lord. - Henry
B. Eyring, “Where
Two or Three Are Gathered,” Ensign (CR) May 2016
5/15/16
This is a great time to live, brothers and sisters, and it is up to
us to carry on the rich tradition of devoted commitment that has
been the hallmark of previous generations of Latter-day Saints. This
is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford
to be superficially righteous. Our testimonies must run deep, with
spiritual roots firmly embedded in the rock of revelation. And we
must continue to move the work forward as a covenanted, consecrated
people, with faith in every footstep, "till the purposes of God
shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is
done.” - M. Russell Ballard, "The
Truth of God Shall Go Forth,” Ensign (CR) October 2008
9/12/16
May
I tell you just three things of many that cause my heart to throb?
First, my heart throbs with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my
personal Savior and that His love for me was sufficient that He would
suffer unimaginable pain and even death. My heart throbs when in the
solitude of my deep thoughts I realize I can be cleansed, purified,
and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ. My heart throbs when I
contemplate the price that was paid--the suffering incurred to spare
me of similar personal suffering for my sins and transgressions. - Richard
C. Edgley, “A
Still, Small Voice and a Throbbing Heart,” Ensign (CR), May
2005
11/6/16
In order for us to be strong and to withstand all the
forces pulling us in the wrong direction or all the voices encouraging
us to take the wrong path, we must have our own testimony. Whether you
are 12 or 112—or anywhere in between—you can know for yourself that
the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Read the Book of Mormon. Ponder
its teachings. Ask Heavenly Father if it is true. We have the promise
that “if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having
faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the
power of the Holy Ghost.” – Thomas S. Monson, “Dare
to
Stand Alone,” Ensign (CR) November 2011
11/10/16
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a place for
people with all kinds of testimonies. There are some members of the
Church whose testimony is sure and burns brightly within them.
Others are still striving to know for themselves. The Church is a
home for all to come together, regardless of the depth or the height
of our testimony. I know of no sign on the doors of our
meetinghouses that says, “Your testimony must be this tall to
enter.” - Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Receiving
a Testimony of Light and Truth," Ensign (CR) November 2014
3/16/17
What does it mean to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus”? Surely
this includes keeping his commandments and serving him. But wouldn’t
it also include bearing witness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our
Redeemer, to believers and nonbelievers alike? As the Apostle Peter
taught the Saints of his day, we should “sanctify the Lord God in
[our] hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us].” (1
Pet. 3:15.) – Dallin
H. Oaks, “Witnesses
of Christ,” Ensign (CR) November 1990
3/17/17
While
testimonies can come as dramatic manifestations, they usually do not.
Sometimes people think they need to have an experience like Joseph
Smith’s vision before
they gain testimonies. If we have unrealistic expectations of how, when,
or where answers come, we risk missing the answers which come as quiet,
reassuring
feelings and thoughts that most often come after our prayers, while we
are doing something else. These answers can be equally convincing and
powerful.
Over time we will receive answers and learn how inspiration comes. This is something each person learns for himself. – Allan F. Packer, “Finding Strength in Challenging Times!” Ensign (CR) May 2009