Activity for a youth conference

One does not put oil in his lamp and expect to never have to fill it again.  The oil gets used up.  It needs replenishing.  In the case of an oil-burning lamp you might refill it quickly, and with a single effort; but if your lamp is a figurative symbol for your testimony, a quick, single effort will not refill it.  A testimony must be refilled and revived drop by drop and day by day on a continual basis.

A testimony is fed and kept alive and vibrant by constant prayer.  Constant prayer is remembering Jesus Christ in everything that we do.  It is in asking for guidance in our actions and our decisions and our thoughts.  It is in looking for opportunities to serve those around us.  It is in knowing that our thoughts and actions are known, and in striving to make those thoughts and actions Christlike.  It is in kneeling down before our Maker at least twice a day and in acknowledging our dependence on Him, and then in letting our hearts be drawn out to Him all the day long.  It isn’t hard to do, but it is, oh, so worthwhile.

Our prayers are augmented when coupled with fasting.  Our testimonies are augmented, too.

A testimony is fed and kept alive and vibrant by daily scripture study.  Prayer is when we talk to the Lord.  Scripture study is when the Lord talks to us.  The scriptures are His words and His voice.  (D&C 68:4).  A testimony is kept strong when a daily two-way dialog takes place between you and the Lord.

A testimony is fed and kept alive and vibrant by faithfully attending the meetings that are held for the purpose of keeping our testimonies fed, alive, and vibrant.  That is especially so where the taking of the sacrament is concerned.  This must be a weekly event.  Nothing must be permitted to keep us from taking the sacrament—neither other interests nor sins.  Nothing drains our lamps of testimony faster than sin.  Constant repentance, and the forgiveness that follows the renewal of our covenants when we take the sacrament, refill our lamps faster than almost any other thing.

A testimony is kept alive and vibrant when the Holy Ghost is one’s constant companion.  The Holy Ghost becomes one’s constant companion when one is baptized and confirmed by proper authority, and when one then strives with all his heart, might, mind, and strength to be obedient to the Lord’s commandments.  When one does that, the Holy Ghost cannot be restrained from being that person’s constant companion.

A testimony is kept alive and vibrant when we remember that everyone around us is our brother and sister, and that each is a child of God.  We come to love those whom we serve.  We automatically love a person when we go out of our way to perform a kind act for him.  He feels good about us, we feel good about him, and the Lord nods His approval.  When we give a genuine smile to a perfect stranger, and receive a genuine smile back again, two people go on their way feeling better about themselves.  Such exchanges put a smile upon the Lord’s face, too.

An attitude of gratitude is a wonderful enhancer of testimony, as well.  He who watches for, and recognizes, the tender mercies of the Lord finds them everywhere.  He who knows from whence his blessings come, and acknowledges them, becomes a happy, peaceful person

Prayer, fasting, scripture study, baptism, the companionship of the Holy Ghost, obedience to the commandments, attending our meetings, repentance, taking the sacrament, service to our fellow man, and being thankful are the drops of oil that keep our lamps of testimony filled.

(Each young person was given a corked vial, and was invited to visit the following stations, and to add oil to his lamp).

• Prayer - 1 Drop for each prayer offered in past 24 hours
• Fasting - 10 drops if you fasted last Sunday.
• Study - 1 drop per verse you read in past 24 hours
• Baptism and Confirmation - 3 drops if baptized - 3 drops if confirmed
• Obedience to Commandments - 1-5 drops, depending on your level of obedience
• Church Attendance - 5 drops if you went to church last Sunday
• Repentance - 5 drops if you are currently repenting
• Taking Sacrament - 5 drops if you took the sacrament last Sunday
• Service - 1-5 drops for acts of kindness in the past 24 hours
• Thankfulness - 3 drops if you have said “Thank you” to the Lord in the last 24 hours