I’ve been thinking a lot about testimonies recently, and of the power in a few simple, honest, sincere words. For those who are unfamiliar with the word, it is described as a spiritual witness that has been given by the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit as others may call it.
Gordon B. Hinckley, who was the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until January 27th when he died, had a very strong testimony. He’d been told in a special priesthood blessing, called a Patriarchal Blessing, that the very nations of this earth would hear his voice. Not only that, but through his testimony many would come to know the truth of gospel of Jesus Christ. He was only eleven at the time.
Can you even begin to imagine what his thoughts must have been over the years as he mused over these promises? Many of us might wish our own passionate words might help to bring others to the light of Christ. President Hinckley was promised, by the Lord, that if he lived righteously this very thing would happen.
Shortly after he left his mission for the Mormon Church he had the opportunity to share his testimony in London, Berlin, Paris, and Washington D.C. He was fairly certain he had fulfilled the promise in that short time. As he puts it:
“That proved to be a mere scratching of the surface. Since then I have lifted my voice on every continent, in cities large and small, all up and down from north to south and east to west across this broad world—from Cape Town to Stockholm, from Moscow to Tokyo to Montreal, in every great capital of the world. It is all a miracle” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Seek Ye the Kingdom of God,” Ensign, May 2006).
A remarkable thing about someone bearing their testimony is that the testimony only grows stronger. We can move from saying, “I believe Jesus Christ lived” to saying with a firm knowledge “I know Jesus Christ lived.” A testimony comes through study, prayer, and a sincere desire to know the truth.
You may be wondering why I’ve posted this in the Singles section of this blog. For most of our growing up years we are heavily influenced by our parents, other family members, church leaders and general community. They help to shape our standards, values, and outlook on life. There comes a time when we must make a break and decide for ourselves which path we will follow. The time must come for us to continue our lives beyond the home where we grew up.
I myself had to gain a personal testimony of this Church. I couldn’t rely on that of my parents or leaders any longer. As I knelt to pray I had no way of knowing how my prayer would be answered. That was over 15 years ago. I have never forgotten what happened that day (if you’d like to read of my experience go to “Laurie Walker – Converted to the Mormon Church at 17“).
We can all have a testimony. It is not something only given to those of the Mormon Church. Anyone who sincerely desires to know the truth of Jesus Christ, of God the Father, of our purpose here on earth, of Joseph Smith, of the Book of Mormon, of this Church can receive an answer. We are promised this in both the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, both scriptural witnesses of Jesus Christ.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:4-5).
Gordon B. Hinckley had a firm testimony of the truth regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’d like to leave you with a small portion of his words given in the May 2006 Ensign Magazine.
“Now, in conclusion, I hope that all of you will remember that on this Sabbath day you heard me bear my witness that this is God’s holy work. The vision given the Prophet Joseph in the grove of Palmyra was not an imaginary thing. It was real. It occurred in the broad light of day. Both the Father and the Son spoke to the boy. He saw Them standing in the air above him. He heard Their voices. He gave heed to Their instruction.
It was the resurrected Lord who was introduced by His Father, the great God of the universe. For the first time in recorded history, both the Father and the Son appeared together to part the curtains and open this, the last and final dispensation, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
The Book of Mormon is all that it purports to be—a work recorded by prophets who lived anciently and whose words have come forth “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations” (Book of Mormon title page).
The priesthood has been restored under the hands of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. All the keys and authority pertaining to eternal life are exercised in this Church.
Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, the great Prophet of this dispensation. This Church, which carries the name of the Redeemer, is true.
I leave you my testimony, my witness, and my love for each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
