Testimony - Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.

  Like Elder Samuelson, associations with the youth have been and continue to be part of the great hope and blessings of my life. Here in Brazil now, we are together with many of the great youth as they learn the better way of following Christ and obtaining their personal testimony of Him. Just yesterday, we spent the evening with two fifteen year old young men and their families. We discussed how they were going to complete their year's study of the scriptures while they prepare to serve. They both expect to be asked to work full-time for two years in whatever country they may be called to in just a few short years. They are looking ahead while they study and already are very knowledgeable about the Church and Gospel according to their mothers.
  The topic of this discourse relates to the very thing that all men and women need to understand, that of Testimony. He asks and explores here the three important basic questions:

1. Who is entitled to have a testimony?
2. How does one obtain the necessary revelation, and what are the fundamental steps to achieve it?
3. Is gaining a testimony an isolated event or an ongoing process?

  In answering these three foundational questions about testimony, he uses ten observations and suggestions from his young friends:

1. Everyone has worth and since we are all children of God, He wants us to gain trust in Him so that His love and timing can work with us.
2. Part of this process involves a "mighty change of heart" as contained in the scriptures and which may occur gradually, usually in response to questions, experiences and concerns in a background of personal study and prayer.
3. We must remember that life has a purpose which includes being tested and stretched to receive the often hard lessons that we need.
4. In times of uncertainty and challenges we must learn to trust the things we believe.
5. As Alma taught, we can expect a progression which comes as a result of hoping, believing, and then knowing the truth of a specific principle, doctrine or the gospel itself.
6. We can expect that as we grow in our quest, the act of teaching someone else our faith and understanding of that which we have received grows while the hearer is also enlightened.
7. We must do the regular things we are asked to do such as:
1. Scripture and gospel study
2. Church meeting attendance
3. Temple worship
4. Fulfilling assignments within the Church
5. Inviting the Spirit into our days with regular prayer
8. Focus on our own progress and standards, not the difficulties, mistakes or failures of others is a key to avoiding the negative approach that often weakens our resolve.
9. Remember that we must not be too hard on ourselves when you make a mistake nor too casual when real repentance is the right path.
10. Always be clear that the Atonement of Christ is completely and continuously at work for each of us, even when we struggle with our own challenges of faith.

  No matter our station in life, these true principles are operative and results can be seen as we work on our testimony of Christ. Often it is in hindsight that we recognize the knowledge obtained during a life of desire to obtain first the testimony, then the gift of knowledge.