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Originally Posted by AngelLynn
I am only asking as of course last Sunday was fast and testimony meeting and I have been pondering over all the members who bore their testimonies. Some of them really touched my heart and others well they also touched my heart but some of them seemed more like getting something off of their chest rather than testifying of the truth of the gospel. So I am asking is there a proper way to bear a testimony to others?
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When we bear our testimony, it should always be done via the Spirit. If it is, you feel the Holy Ghost making that confirmation to those who are ready to receive it. I have been in meetings when it is nothing more than confessions of the soul. This is wrong and not a testament Christ and the gospel.
Elder Jay E. Jensen, spoke on this subject with great passion. He spoke of seven 'do nots' when we give our personal testimony on Fast Sunday:
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Sometimes we can learn much about a principle by identifying what it is not. I have found that a testimony is:
• Not an exhortation. Individuals who stand and exhort others in a fast and testimony meeting or even try to call others to repentance, even with the best of intentions, are usurping authority and are often offending others and disrupting the spirit of the meeting.
• Not an experience, although experiences may illustrate belief and conviction.
• Not an expression of gratitude or love, although these are often appropriately included in our testimony sharing.
• Not a public confession.
• Not a sermon or a talk on some doctrinal point, although someone may quote a scripture and then testify of it.
• Not a long explanation of how you know but rather what you know.
• Not merely saying the words “I have a testimony.” It is not inappropriate to say this, but hopefully there is an expression following these words about the doctrines, truths, and principles of which you have a testimony.
Article: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Bearing Testimony
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You can clearly see, it does happen when we listen to those on Sunday.
What we can do as members in attendance, is to ensure that we pray for those to have that Spirit with them as they give their testimony. We need to apply our own faith in aiding others that they may speak by the Spirit vice themselves.
