Testimony

 When we have a testimony, we know that God lives, that Jesus is our Savior, and that the Church is true.

Scripture Reader Resource

Book of Mormon Stories, chapter 17; Doctrine & Covenants Stories, page 97

Discussion

Procedure

Ask the students what they think a testimony is. Tell them that some of the things we know when we have a testimony are that God lives, that Jesus is our Savior, and that the Church is true. 

Activity

Procedure

Ask the students to tell how they feel about God, Jesus, and the Church

Activity

Procedure

Tell the students that some of the things a person with a testimony knows are that God lives, that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Church is true. Bear your testimony to your students, and ask them to share their testimonies with you. 

To get and keep a testimony we should obey God, study the gospel, and pray. 

Scripture Reader Resource

Book of Mormon Stories, chapter 25; Doctrine and Covenants Stories, chapter 16

Discussion

Procedure

Ask the students to tell some things that people can do to get a testimony. Then ask them to tell some things that we should do to keep our testimonies. Ask the students why they think we have to do things to keep our testimonies. 

Chalkboard Activity

Preparation

Prepare the chalkboard with the heading “How to Get and Keep a Testimony”

Procedure

Ask the students to tell some things that we need to do to get the keep a testimony. Write on the chalkboard the things they say. Then ask the students if the things written on the chalkboard can be put under the headings. Obey God, Study the Gospel, and Pray. Write on the chalkboard these three headings and have the students tell which things already on the chalkboard should go under each heading. Rewrite these things under the correct headings. 

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Using the Testimony Formula

Discussion

We have great examples in our lives of those who have used the formula for a testimony. 

• Which prophet at about your age wanted to know which church was right? (Show the picture of Joseph Smith)
• How did Joseph Smith use the steps we have discussed to find out which church was right?

1. He had a strong desire to know which church was right.
2. He searched the scriptures to find the answer.
3. His mother reported that Joseph was a good boy and always tried to do what was right.
4. He went to the grove of trees and asked in faith. 

Bear your testimony of this experience and that a testimony can come through the steps suggested. 

Quotation

How did President Joseph F. Smith, one of the latter-day prophets, gain his testimony?

“When I as a boy first started out in the ministry I would frequently go out and ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did He have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whispering of the still small voice of the Spirit of the living God. He gave to me the testimony I possess.” 

Several may have experienced these feelings already. As they continue using these steps, their testimonies will be strengthened like President’s Smith’s. Some have tried to gain testimonies without following all the steps, but they have learned the importance of each step.

Pictures and story

Tell the following in your own words, showing the pictures of the Three Witnesses. 

Martin Harris’s was called to be one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He went to the woods with Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Joseph Smith to pray and gain a revelation of the truthfulness of the work. They earnestly prayed for some time, but no answer came. Finally, Martin explained that he hadn’t followed all the steps completely. He hadn’t been living all the commandments and needed to repent. He left the group, telling everyone how sorry he was. Shortly after he left, an angel appeared to the other three, showed them the plates, and told them the work was true. Later Joseph found Martin in the woods, and together they pled with the Lord to forgive Martin. It wasn’t easy, but after Martin had repented, he and Joseph received the same wonderful revelation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. (History of the Church 1:54-55)

• Which step had Martin Harris left out in the process of gaining a testimony? (Keeping the commandments)
• What happened after he sincerely repented? (He received an answer)

How to Gain a Testimony

Obtaining a testimony is important. It can bring us great happiness. 

How can we obtain a testimony?

Following the discussion, emphasize that first we must want a testimony. On the chalkboard under Testimony, write: Desire.

Explain that Elder McConkie has shared his testimony with people all over the world. He wrote a plan or formula to help others get a testimony. Have the girls listen to the Elder McConkie’s formula:

“Would you like a formula to tell how to get personal revelation? . . . My formula is simply this: 1) Search the scriptures, 2) Keep the commandments, and 3) Ask in faith.”

• What does it mean to search the scriptures? (Read intently, study with all your heart, apply the teachings to your own life). Emphasize that this means much more than just reading.
• Why is it important to keep the commandments if we desire a testimony? (So we can be in tune, worthy, and ready to listen for an answer.)
• What does it mean to ask in faith? (With our whole heart.)

These important steps can prepare us for a revelation that the Church is true and help us open the way to receiving regular direction from our Heavenly Father. 

Tell the following story in your own words. Listen for ways the athletes were strengthened by their testimonies:

A week after registration, eight football stars checked into their seminary class. They had stayed out so they could rearrange their school schedules to be in the same seminary class. They didn’t have testimonies. They just wanted to have fun in seminary. They thought having muscle was all that was important.

Then they heard about Joseph Smith. They learned he was a great wrestler, and stick puller (a sport popular in his time). They also heard about Joseph’s experience in Richmond jail when he was chained to the wall. The guards arrived and began to brag about killing and torturing Mormons. Finally, Joseph couldn’t stand it any longer. He rose to his feet. Though chained to the wall, he commanded the guards in the name of the Savior to be silent or they would die. Because Joseph Smith had power much greater than his muscles alone, the guards dropped to their knees in front of the chained prisoner and sat silently. Joseph had the power of the priesthood and a powerful testimony. 

The football players decided there was more to being a real man than just muscle. They started to get up early in the mornings to read the scriptures together. They loved it. They tried harder to obey the commandments. 

One night one of their close friends was in a terrible accident and died. The next day at school, when the principal announced the boy’s death, many ran from their classes crying. These young athletes testified to others that they knew there was a life after this and that their friend was alright. The testimonies of these young men not only helped them through a difficult experience, but helped them lift and strengthen others. 

• How did the boys gain testimonies? (Scripture study, obedience, and prayer)
• How did their testimonies help them face their friend’s death? (They believed in life after death and were comforted by prayer.)
• How did they help others? (Shared their testimonies.)