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

[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?

[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....

[BenRaines]

There have been several great talks on the subject in General Conference of the last few years. One is Pure Testimony, a couple of years ago. Another was by Elder Oakes at the last conference.

Ben Raines

[Shera]

This is something that really gets to my husband. It really bothers him that by the time so many people sit down from "baring their testimony", you know their life story, when and where their last few vacations were, what's wrong at home, and so much more information than you cared to know, and still after all of that you don't know what they believe.
I think a testimony should be simple and just what it says, a testimony... you, testifying of eternal truths you have come to know. I think it's nice to share stories sometimes of how you came to know something specific, but other than that, I don't think stories should be shared in your testimony. there are other times and places for that. However as many times as bishops and stake presidents stress that a testimony should just be you sharing what you know to be true, and not a travel log, I don't think it will ever stop. People just don't get it.

[ruthiechan]

I hear ya Shera.

I remember after a bunch of people were baring their testimony (after being told to keep it short and cut to the chase) the last person came up with tears filled in his eyes. This was after a few stories (that related, yay!) and someone sang a verse of a hymn to aid her in baring her testimony, and other stories and testimonies.

So he went up to that podium, tears filling his eyes and said with a quivering voice, "I don't have a story. I don't have a song. But I have a testimony that this Gospel is true." (Last line paraphrased since I don't think I got it right.)

That was powerful, and the Spirit filled the room.

I never bare my testimony unless instructed to by the Spirit and when I do I ask what I should say. Every testimony meeting I attend I'll ask, "So, do you have a message for me to deliver? Should I bear my testimony?" And sometimes he fills my mind with something and tells me when to get up and other times I get the hang tight no worries feeling. A story usually accompanies my testimony but it directly relates, and I'm not wandering around. After all, the Spirit's telling me what to say, kinda hard to get off track.

[BenRaines]

I believe that someone can share a testimony of what they believe as well. Of all it is not required to know. One of the gifts of the spirit is to believe on the testimony of others.

Ben Raines

[austro-libertarian]

Here is the Elder Oaks talk referred to above.

I think Elder Oaks provides the example in the article of how to bare testimony:

I close with my testimony. I know that we have a Heavenly Father, whose plan brings us to earth and provides the conditions and destiny of our eternal journey. I know that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, whose teachings define the plan and whose Atonement gives the assurance of immortality and the opportunity for eternal life. I know that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith to restore the fulness of the gospel in these latter days. And I know that we are led today by a prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who holds the keys to authorize priesthood holders to perform the ordinances prescribed for our progress toward eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

[Teancum18]

I hate it when Fast and Testimony meeting turns into group therapy.

[Justice]

There is a spirit of the law and a letter of the law, if you will, and if it can be applied to this topic with a bit of imagination.

The letter of the law is to bear pure testimony.

The spirit of the law is that if you feel you need to relate a short personal story to help others understand why you are saying what you chose to say, I see no harm. They can actually help edify.

Like many on this forum, however, I get uneasy during travel logs and get lost fairly quick.

Short and brief, and to the point is never the wrong way to go when bearing a testimony.

[Hemidakota]

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?

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:

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

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.