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

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

This thread wouldn't be complete without the following parody of "My Favorite Things" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music
Lyrics by M. Spaff Sumsion

Brother Johansen says God fixed his prostate
Sister Hill wails that her son's gone apostate
Missy Brown details her trip to Belize
These are a few of the testimonies

Brother Stone calls his ex-wife to repentance
Sister Dean can't form a blubber-free sentence
Ammon Smith's grateful the Jazz beat the Kings
These are a few of the Fast Meeting things

There's unchaste movies at Wal-Mart in Layton
Hillary Clinton's a minion of Satan
God loves you just a bit less if you're gay
These are some nuggets I've picked up today

When this low-key
Karaoke
Shows how odd we are
I simply remember I'm not Warren Jeffs
And then I don't feel bizarre

Madison cries that her mom flushed her turtle
Then she announces her daddy's infertile
Tyler loves Jesus and recess and peas
These are a few of the testimonies

Elder Jones gripes that less-actives frustrate 'im
Nine CTR's thank the same things verbatim
Brother McPhie knows Rush Limbaugh is true
And The Da Vinci Code may well be too

Sister Cabell says the United Nations
Must be the beast from the book Revelations
Folks squirm through dubious doctrine and then
Everyone drowsily mumbles "Amen"

When euphor-ya
Starts to bore ya
Here's the thing that's sweet:
Each talk brings us nearer Hymn 152
And then we go home to eat!

[BenRaines]

LM, nice. Someone has to much time on their hands or did you do that in Fast & Testimony Meeting?

Ben Raines

[Hemidakota]

[Moksha]

I think the folks in my ward are content with the usual suspects baring their testimony each month.

[AngelLynn]

Thanks for all the lively discussion on the issue. I think I've been pondering my own testimony lately as well. I nearly turned crimsion red when one of the Brothern I knew was bragging about Utah state having a perfect undefeated season in FTM. I knew that was inapproriate which I think was one of the main reasons why I asked about right and wrong way of bearing a testimony to the witness of the gospel.

As for children, their testimonies are pure and uncomplicated. I love the simple humble faith they have.

But one of the most profound testimonies I heard was from this woman in our war that has had constant health problems. She was very worried as she had a medical test she had to go through and she was discussing it. She talked about how she was taking her worries to the Lord and recieved a very profound answer and was told that she needed to be still and know that I am God. It struck me as very powerful. I did not bare my testimony that FTM, I didn't feel the call of the sprit, although I am sure if testimony had been longer I would have eventually been overwhelmed and would have bore my testimony. However, I felt my own testimony burn in my chest from so many powerful and strong testimonies and I felt bless this time to sit and listen.

[Palerider]

nothing wrong with getting the football scores outta the way....

When I use to sit on the stand, often times during Testimony meeting I would cringe or I would be on the edge of my seat when watching those who were coming up to share their testimony and while they were sharing with us whatever it was they were sharing......

[MobyMule]

Originally Posted by Palerider

I think there is.....a testimony should be 2-3 minutes and when you testify of something tell everyone how you know it to be true......if you know the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ...tell me how you found out....bare a short and sweet testimony....

Hehe I read that to the congregation this past Sunday. It worked. We had a very spiritual Sacrament Meeting.

[MobyMule]

Originally Posted by Palerider

nothing wrong with getting the football scores outta the way....

When I use to sit on the stand, often times during Testimony meeting I would cringe or I would be on the edge of my seat when watching those who were coming up to share their testimony and while they were sharing with us whatever it was they were sharing......

I know the feeling. I go through that myself.

[MobyMule]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

Yeah, there's a wrong way to bare a testimony. I've personally witnessed the following in wards I've been in:

* One lady called fat people to repentance during her testimony.

* One lady called denim-wearers to repentance for wearing pants in the chapel. She closed her testimony with "And don't pee on the trees either! innanamajesuschristamen!"

LM

Ha! can't say i've seen that.

[MobyMule]

Originally Posted by Loudmouth_Mormon

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

I think the reason is to teach the children in primary what a testimony is and how to gain one. So that they understand that if they get up to bear their testimony in Sacrament it is heart felt and real.

Plus I think it just helps children learn the value of giving a testimony instead of them following their friend up to the stand or mic and doing what the others are doing.

I would not stop a child from coming up and bearing their testimony.