When I went on my mission to Brazil in June of 1961, there was no MTC. I arrived not speaking one word of Portuguese. It was hard! I wondered if I had made a mistake. I wondered if our church was really true. I wondered if I could really do it.
I kept working and soon realized that I did have a testimony. In fact, when I understood what a testimony was, I realized that I could not remember when I did not have a testimony.
One of the most wonderful parts of Heavenly Father's plan is that each of can know for ourselves that His plan is real. That knowledge, which we call a testimony does not come from books, scientific proof or intellectual means. It comes through our thoughts and feelings from the Holy Ghost.
Here are some helpful thoughts about a testimony:
- a testimony does not usually come in a flash
- it is not a single event like buying something at a store
- sometimes we have special experiences that confirm or strengthen testimony
- sometimes people cry when they bear testimony. Strong emotion or crying is not required for a testimony
- your testimony is whatever you feel about God, the atonement, the Church, prophets, etc.
- Bearing your testimony can include words like:
- I know
- I believe
- I think
- I feel in my heart
- to get or increase your testimony you can:
- learn by reading, participating in Sunday School, Seminary, home evening, etc
- pray, ask God to give you a testimony
- obey the commandments
- bear your testimony and listen to the testimony of others.
I know there is a God and that we belong to His true Church and I know that you can know too.
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