Testimony
Cold, Lukewarm, and Hot
Three scriptures need to be put together in a sequence or a continuum, and then we need to measure where we are on the line.
The first is where we would hope to be. As my mind surveys the standard works, it rests on Hyrum Smith with his integrity and enthusiasm as being representative. I also think of Nephi, who just before Christ came to the Nephites, worked with such “unwearyingness.” (Helaman 10:4-5).
Choice
I am struck by the faithfulness of three very young men who were called in their youth as prophets of God. Joseph (who was sold into Egypt), Nephi, and Joseph Smith were all just boys when they began having manifestations which ultimately positioned them to become powerful leaders. All three thereafter experienced terrific hardships which might have discouraged and broken lesser men, yet there is no indication that any of them ever faltered, murmured, or complained. Instead of succumbing to their troubles (which they could easily have done), they chose to believe that their situations had a purpose, and that things would work out. Their optimism and steadfastness seem almost super-human.
Read MoreMarjorie’s Testimony
The gospel of Jesus Christ gives me:
Stability
Direction
Hope
Pace’s Baptism
Pace, you are light years ahead of where I was when I was eight years old. I only have one memory from that age, and it is very vivid in my mind. I was out walking in a field by my house, and was having some very deep thoughts for an 8-year-old. My mother had told me about God and Jesus and about prophets and about the Bible. I was pondering upon those things, and I had lots of questions.
Read MoreWhat Think Ye of Christ?
(Elder Michael John U. Teh in his April 2021 conference address told of an assignment given to him to write a one-page summary about the relevance and importance of the Atonement. That is a great challenge. Here is my attempt:)
Read MoreChildren of the Evangelist
This morning in my study I found this:
“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven, and abode with him.
Ladders
President Russell M. Nelson says that “most people do not embrace … truth–either because they do not know where to look for (it) or because they are listening to those who do not have the whole truth or because they have rejected truth in favor of worldly pursuits.” (Ensign, May 2020, 89).
Read MoreLeave Five Things Behind
If you would be a light to the world, as the Savior enjoined His Saints to be, then you should strive to leave positive things in your wake, wherever you go.
Read MoreHome Based Church
Marjorie and I are thoroughly enjoying our home church meetings. In my phone conversation with Eli yesterday, I mentioned that if things were normal, it should be fast Sunday, so I had started a fast. He pointed out that our meeting should be a testimony meeting then. That hadn’t occurred to me. Accordingly, after the opening hymn, prayer, sacrament hymn, and blessing of the sacrament, I bore my testimony.
Read MoreGifts
As I knelt to have my evening prayer I was interested to note the words that I used. I thanked my heavenly Father for “the gift of my marvelous wife,” and “the gift of the scriptures” that I was about to read. I then got into bed, opened the Book of Mormon, and the second verse that I read was Mormon telling the people that he was permitted to speak unto them “because of the gift of (God’s) calling unto (him).” (Moroni 7:2).
Read MoreStunners and Blockbusters
Among the basic doctrines of the Church are what Neal A. Maxwell called “stunners.” (Ensign, November 2003, pg.100). President James E. Faust called them “blockbusters.” (Ensign, November 2005, pgs. 21-22). They are monumental, astounding, life changing, and earth shaking. They totally change prevailing religious and philosophical thought. Here is my own collection:
Read MoreShould I Testify Or Be Silent?
You can stand up for the truth wherever you are, at all times, and in all places. Sometimes our members are fearful to speak up for the truth in clubs, associations, or even, at times, among members of the Church. As the Lord has said, it should be done with boldness but not overbearance. Speak out for the Lord and for his prophet on the vital issues of the day.
Read MoreTestimony Changed Meeting
What the power of the Spirit can communicate beyond the meaning of words is clearly seen in an experience of Brother Peter Mourik, real estate director for the Church in Europe. He met with city officials, including the mayor, to negotiate the purchase of the former city hall. If it could be purchased, it was to be converted into a meetinghouse for the Church. The mayor of the neighboring German town was also present, inasmuch as a recent change in the boundaries involved both communities in the transaction.
Read MoreThe Only True Church?!!
The essential nature of witnesses was brought forcibly to my mind some years ago while seeking permission from a man for his wife and children to be baptized. Our missionaries had taught the family of the divinity of Christ, the sacred appearance of God the Father and His Beloved Son to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1820, and the Restoration of the true Church upon the earth.
Read MoreConversion of Helvecio Martins
Brothers and sisters, it all began one beautiful night during April of 1972 when Elders Thomas McIntire and Steve Richards knocked on my door. At that time, I was searching for answers to many questions that confused and troubled my spirit. The principles taught that night contained the answers my wife and I had searched for so anxiously.
Read MoreHis Hour of Conversion
May I tell you of the hour of my true conversion to the restored gospel. Perhaps my experience will strengthen those who desire a closer relationship with our Father in Heaven and a more profound testimony of the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read MoreThe Warm Spot Grew
A recent convert from Canberra, Australia, says the following: “I was born into a religious family where religion was taken seriously. I had a strict Christian upbringing. However, I drifted away from the church at about twenty years of age when I left home to attend teachers college.
Read MoreJohn Taylor Reconverts Parley Pratt
In the lives of many of our great Church leaders of this dispensation we’ve seen this process of conversion interpreted into a powerful desire to strengthen the lives of the brethren. One example that has always impressed me is the story of John Taylor.
Read MoreThen What Else Matters?
Mine has been the opportunity to meet many wonderful men and women in various parts of the world. A few of them have left an indelible impression upon me. One such was a naval officer from Asia, a brilliant young man who had been brought to the United States for advanced training.
Read MoreTrue or False Test
A 15-year-old son of a mission president attended high school with very few members of the Church.
Read MoreLighting the World
Our purpose in life is to bring light into the world.
Each person is born with the light of Christ. It is a free gift. What each individual does with that light thereafter is up to him. Many extinguish it. Many let it lie dormant, neither extinguishing nor feeding it. Some work to increase their light and the lights of others.
Journal Entry
Sunday 4 August 2019
Testimony
The question was asked in Sunday School, “Has there ever been a time when someone’s testimony has made a dramatic and lasting impact on you?”
Worshiping the Lord
What does it mean to worship the Lord?
The shepherds came seeking and to adore Him.
The Old Headlight
I just awoke from a dream which has a good enough moral that it deserves recording. In the dream I was given a last-minute assignment to give a talk to a group of people.
Read MoreWhy Did We Go?
Journal entry, Sunday, 28 October 2018
Friday morning we suddenly decided to go to Rexburg to see Eli, Isaac, Ila, and Briton.
The Plan of Deliverance
Alma, interestingly, in just two chapters of his book, uses five different names for God’s plan. He calls it “the plan of restoration” in Alma 41:2
Read MoreMy Articles of Faith
My missionary grandson, Caden, sent a picture of a sign on the front of a church in Texas which was a statement of their beliefs.
Read MoreHow the Wiegman Family Came to Be
As I scanned the list of 250 youth who will be going on the stake handcart trek, I was surprised to notice the names of two out-of-stake youth,
Read MoreThe Law of Witnesses
The law of witnesses states: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (D&C 6:28).
Read MoreMy Testimony
Garrin Bott is the first counselor in the bishopric of Baker Second Ward. As he conducted fast and testimony meeting today he presented a hypothetical situation,
Read MoreComparisons
Thoughts at Aaron’s missionary farewell. 23 May 1999. When I was 19, I knew nothing about the gospel.
Read MoreGet a Testimony
You can’t sit back and wait for the Spirit or your parents or your teachers to give you a testimony of the truthfulness of the Restoration.
Read MoreAdding Oil to Your Lamp
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.
Read MoreTaught By an Apostle
It’s 5:00 a.m., and I’ve just gotten up from a dream that I should record. I’m recording it because there was a good line in it, and because it’s something that Marjorie can use when she teaches her workshop in our upcoming Young Single Adult Conference.
Read MoreThinking Outside the Box
A story is told about Christopher Columbus. I don’t know whether it’s true or whether it’s apocryphal, but it’s a good story. Columbus was reportedly at a dinner when someone asked him why he thought he could accomplish something that no one else had been able to do. Columbus reached over to some hard-boiled eggs, removed one from the bowl, and challenged those present to stand it on end. Many tried, but no one succeeded in making it balance. Columbus took the egg, smashed it onto the table, and said, “That’s why I think I can do what no one else has been able to do!”
Read MoreA Note to Missionaries
I don’t think that we as missionaries have any idea who we are or about the power that we carry with us. In my reading over the past two days I’ve found latter-day missionaries in some surprising places.
Read MoreThe Book of Mormon
Brother Anderson asked me to speak to you about the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the reason that I’m a member of the Church.
Read More