Is there a right way and a wrong way to bare a testimony?

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

A letter came out from the First Presidency to all Wards and Branches a few years ago. Sacrament meeting is not a place where children should bear their testimony. Our Bishop pulls out that letter and re-reads it to us every couple of years.

Once the children develop their own personal understanding about what it all means, and do indeed develop their own testimony, that's the time it is appropriate to share with the congregation. Until then, FHE, maybe primary or Sunday School, those are fine places to help a child learn how to bear a testimony.

LM

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Once the children develop their own personal understanding about what it all means, and do indeed develop their own testimony, that's the time it is appropriate to share with the congregation. Until then, FHE, maybe primary or Sunday School, those are fine places to help a child learn how to bear a testimony.

LM

see this I feel uncomfortable with Children do have testimonies and ok will have to support first presidency, but quite frankly if my daughter wants to go up and bear her testimony should I truly tell her that her testimony isn't important enough?

She may not have the words of a grown up, but she knows the Lord answers her prayers etc never met anyone the Lord takes care of like he does our Ellie.

-Charley

[jimuk]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

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:



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.

Thank you Hemidakota, my view exactly.
Some members have such a hard time speaking in front of people, but when the Spirit nudges them out of their seat (sometimes under protest lol) it is a lovely thing, the spirit will be so close to them he will make the person sharing their testimony so full of the holy spirit that it is hard for them to stop this pouring out of their reasons for loving heavenly father, loving Jesus, why and what brought them into the church.
Do not take this moment away from them, do not sit looking at your watches, this person will notice everything going on in the room, if you do not want to be there then dont be there, but do stay as you may see and feel a lot of love being poured out from the Holy Ghost..

This is the Testimony bearers moment, no i feel there is no rules as to how this should go, you just go ahead and speak your heart out and god bless you for feeding his children with your true words of love and kindness.

[jimuk]

Originally Posted by Elgama

see this I feel uncomfortable with Children do have testimonies and ok will have to support first presidency, but quite frankly if my daughter wants to go up and bear her testimony should I truly tell her that her testimony isn't important enough?

She may not have the words of a grown up, but she knows the Lord answers her prayers etc never met anyone the Lord takes care of like he does our Ellie.

-Charley

You are correct, how can there be an age at where one can bear a testimony, i would never stop anyone for fear of my fathers wrath.

After all are we not all gods children, young and old.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by jimuk

You are correct, how can there be an age at where one can bear a testimony, i would never stop anyone for fear of my fathers wrath.

After all are we not all gods children, young and old.

I just think if we do not listen to the testimony of a child we lose so much, personally I feel very strongly the testimony weeks when the Primary kids have got together and decided they will all get up, or the YM/YW have said they will all get up (ie if you do it I will) and some weeks our testimony meeting has been almost entirely from those from 3-18 and I love those weeks the rest of us don't get a chance to get up, the little ones get up because the older ones have set the example.

I don't know one person that leaves our branch feeling bad those weeks, because the testimony of a child or youth especially in a small branch is one each of us there contribute to. And each member has been brought back to basics which is what our Branch and Stake President are focusing on right now - last year was love and befriend one another, this year they are concentrating on family prayer, family scripture study and family home evening. And we are seeing the messages our local leaders are giving coming forth and bearing fruit every month when one or more of the children and youth in the branch step forward and share their testimony.

Also I could be wrong but hasn't there been a change in the amount of time given over to baring a testimony in the auxiliaries? At least in some Stakes. I just could not imagine President Monson saying to a child no you may not get up and bare your testimony
-Charley

[Faded]

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?

Church leaders have repeatedly counseled the membership of the Church on this matter. Testimony meeting is not the place for travel-logs, nor is it the place for long stories and updating you on the latest news and gossip. Bearing your testimony is incredibly simple. You tell what you know just like a witness on the witness stand. Stories should all clearly lead to the same thing: Testifying that you know Jesus Christ is your Savior, that this Church is his Church and testifying of all the truths that go along with that.

A witness on the witness stand is a decent litmus test. Imagine yourself as a witness in a trial to determine if the Church is God's true Church and that the Gospel is true. Now take your story and imagine the courtroom judge asking the question, "Is this witnesses story leading somewhere?" A recent story of how you came to better know and verify the truthfulness of this Gospel -- any part of it -- is obviously a good thing. Many times, these are the most powerful testimonies because they give real-world examples of coming to know the truth. On the other hand, a story that is being told just for the sake of storytelling, or updating the Ward on what's new in your life, or anything like that. If you can't honestly say that your story is "leading somewhere" then Testimony Meeting is probably not the place for it.

To add to that, I think that plain and simple words are generally a lot more powerful. "I know that the Gospel is true with every fiber of my being." That's all very nice but very vague and uses a lot of unnecessary big words. "The Gospel" is a very broad term, and you could mean a lot of things there. Also, if you what if somebody doesn't know what the word "Gospel" means? How does a young child or nonmember make sense out of, "every fiber of my being"? Wouldn't it be better to say, "I know God lives. I know that he sent his Son Jesus Christ to pay for our sins and bring us back to God, who is our Father in Heaven. I know that this Church is His Church. I know that Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Joesph Smith is a true prophet sent by God to restore is Church to the earth and that President Monson is God's living prophet today. I know these things are true because the Spirit has told me so powerfully that I can feel it in every part of my body right now." Share your stories that point towards testifying of these truths.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Originally Posted by Elgama

She may not have the words of a grown up, but she knows the Lord answers her prayers etc never met anyone the Lord takes care of like he does our Ellie.

I don't know the reason behind the letter, and I also don't remember the wording used. I find it edifying to hear from the occasional kid who truly does know the Lord, but I sure didn't at a young age, and I don't think anyone I hung around with did either.

I only have a guess, that may be accurate or not. My guess is, it dawned on people that when investigators came to our church, they got turned off by child after child paraded in front of the microphone, belting out the exact same words that they were taught to say about how they know this and they know that. If I was looking for God's true church, such a spectacle would surely turn me off.

LM

[BenRaines]

If we took the time to read this talk by M. Russell Ballard we would have a much better idea of what a testimony is and what sharing it means. Not the traditions of our fathers but what can help to build other testimonies and help convert others to the gospel.

Pure Testimony, October 2004 General Conference.

"
A testimony of the reality of Heavenly Father’s love, of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and of the effect of His Atonement on every son and daughter of God brings about the desire to repent and live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It also brings a confirmation to our soul of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days. Real testimony of these precious truths comes as a witness by the Holy Ghost after sincere and dedicated effort, including teaching in the home, prayer, scripture study, service to others, and diligent obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments. To gain and forever hold on to a testimony of gospel truths is worth whatever price in spiritual preparation we may be required to pay.
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.” As a result, our meetings sometimes lack the testimony-rich, spiritual underpinnings that stir the soul and have meaningful, positive impact on the lives of all those who hear them.
Our testimony meetings need to be more centered on the Savior, the doctrines of the gospel, the blessings of the Restoration, and the teachings of the scriptures. We need to replace stories, travelogues, and lectures with pure testimonies. Those who are entrusted to speak and teach in our meetings need to do so with doctrinal power that will be both heard and felt, lifting the spirits and edifying our people. You will remember at the heart of King Benjamin’s powerful sermon to his people was his personal witness of the Savior, who at that time had yet to be born into mortality."


Ben Raines

[Elgama]

I have been told I say I know too often in my testimonies lol Ben thats a great talk and will be using it to frame my testimony, I have been bursting to give it for months but have stayed seated because I feel it had grown beyond the words I was able to use at that time, even with inspiration - this thread has really helped me, I used to be up every month so excited then when things hit me I didn't want to, and had come back to I wasn;'t sure how anymore guess I need to get up there lol

from LM
I only have a guess, that may be accurate or not. My guess is, it dawned on people that when investigators came to our church, they got turned off by child after child paraded in front of the microphone, belting out the exact same words that they were taught to say about how they know this and they know that. If I was looking for God's true church, such a spectacle would surely turn me off.

This I do agree with but I think its part of being in a large ward, in our branch its easy for the kids to just go up, they spend most of sacrament wandering around sitting visiting with people its not possible in a bigger place. Thats the saddest bit for me about our branch growing is it needs to change

-Charley

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Speaking for myself only, I don't think there's a wrong way.

Oddly enough, Fast and Testimony Meeting came up when I met my brother for lunch yesterday. We both agreed that FTM was the most interesting, appalling, and boring meeting imaginable, with a good chance of examples of all three every time.

Lots of Mormon folklore about it and I hope it never gets tame.