Testimony

Testimony

Last month I wrote on my blog about my testimony of the Book of Mormon. Each if you will have to gain your own testimony of God the Father and his son Jesus Christ, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Divine restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ here upon the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith.

Heber C. Kimball, an early member of the First Presidency said that the time would come when the members of the church would not be able to live on borrowed light. This means that even though your grandmother and I have the testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and of Jesus Christ, we cannot pass this precious gift to any of our grandchildren. Each one of you will learn for yourself of the truthfulness of these things.

The plan that our Lord and his son Jesus Christ have set forth for us on this earth includes agency and accountability. Each one of you has his or her agency and will be accountable for his or her own actions. Every one of you will be expected to learn of Jesus Christ and accept salvation through his atonement.

Many years ago when your parents were growing up in our house we had a record of songs that came from a musical entitled “My Turn on Earth”. The little girl in the story is told just before she is to come to this earth not to forget the treasure. The treasure that she was to seek here upon the earth is a testimony of Jesus Christ.

One of the misconceptions that members of the church have is that a testimony just comes without any effort on ones part. This is far from the truth. This life was so arranged that effort on everyone's part is necessary to obtain anything of value. In the Church we call this the law of work. 

One of the commandments that Adam was given before he left the Garden of Eden was that he would have to work for everything he got here on the earth.

A testimony comes through the ministration of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost cannot give us the assurance that we need unless we keep the commandments of God. The first step to obtaining a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ is to keep his commandments. Do not delude yourself into thinking that you will obtain the testimony if you do not keep the commandments of the Lord.

A testimony does not come the first time you ask for one. The Lord wants to make sure that you are serious in your intent to come unto Christ. We know from experience that in most cases the testimony does not come quickly. It takes time and study.

A number of years ago, before you were born, I attended a regional youth conference in Billings Montana. The speaker and presiding officer at that youth conference was the president of the church, Harold Bingham Lee. You will not remember him, but he spoke to the young people attending that conference and told them that if they did not have a testimony at that time, they were to lean on his. Your grandmother and I know that the gospel is true. Until you have a firm testimony, you need to lean on our testimony.

I hope you know that we would never lie to you or deceive you. We do not believe that your parents would lie to you either. They know that the Gospel is true, so until you find out for yourself and believe in their and our words, lean on our testimony. It may take you some time to receive the treasure or this precious gift, which you can only receive by study, prayer and keeping the commandments.

We wish you success in your life and your pursuit of righteousness.

Love,

Grandpa