181. Thoughts on bearing your testimony -- Tomorrow is July 6th, Fast and Testimony meeting.

Tomorrow, July 6th, 2014, is another Fast and Testimony meeting.  I read an interesting article which gives great ideas on bearing our testimonies.  I hope you enjoy it.

Bearing Your Testimony: 5 Powerful Tips

KELSEY BERTEAUX - 

Sitting in the back of the chapel during Fast and Testimony meeting feels like a safe bet--until we get the spiritual prompting to stand up and bear our testimonies. For several minutes, we struggle with whether or not we really should. We rationalize. We're teaching Gospel Doctrine this week. We just bore our testimony last year, right? We don't have anything special to say. We're scared.

Unlike a talk, which is usually prepared in advance, testimonies are usually given spur of the moment, and that makes them a whole different kind of difficult. But a personal testimony, accompanied by the Spirit, is one of the more powerful teaching tools we have. When we testify of truths, even ineloquently, others' spirits can recognize that they've heard this truth before. Bearing testimony is foundational to our faith. 

So the next time you feel prompted to share your testimony--we hope this Sunday!--don't panic, and remember these guidelines and tips shared by members of the Brethren:

1. Fast

There is a reason fast meetings are also testimony meetings. When we are planning to bear testimony, either in sacrament meeting, in a lesson, or other setting, fasting helps bring us closer to the spirit, who witnesses of the truths we testify about.  

As an Elder, President Eyring taught: "The fast helps us to feel humble and meek so that the Holy Ghost may more easily be our companion. By our fast, we both keep our covenant to care for others and we prepare to keep our covenant to bear testimony.

"Those who have prepared carefully for the fast and testimony meeting won’t need to be reminded how to bear testimony should they feel impressed to do it in the meeting." 

2. 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. 

In his most recent conference address, Elder Scott gave this advice about bearing testimonies: "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" (emphasis added). 

3. Use "I know" statements

A testimony is most simply and most powerfully shared in "I know" statements.

As Elder 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.'"

When we bear our testimonies of principles we have come to know are true, he says, our meetings will have "the testimony-rich, spiritual underpinnings that stir the soul and have meaningful, positive impact on the lives of all those who hear them."

4. Include these truths

We can have testimonies of every aspect of the gospel--from tithing to Sunday School to reading the scriptures.

However, as President Uchtdorf explains, "A testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:

• 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.

• The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

• President [Thomas S. Monson], his counselors, and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are the prophets, seers, and revelators in our day."

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 it is based on, will increase the power of our words. 

5. 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, onlineor 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.