What Is A Testimony

“Did not our hearts burn within us”? We find some of Christ’s disciples asking this questions among themselves in chapter 24 of the book of Luke in the Bible. They had walked with the resurrected Savior and talked with Him and He had expounded on the scriptures and their hearts had burned within them testifying of the truth before their eyes and their minds even understood what that truth was.

Latter Day Saints (LDS members or Mormons) often talk of testimonies and of the Holy Ghost but describing exactly what that is to someone unfamiliar with the concept might seem as strange as trying to describe what salt tastes like to one who has never tasted it.  

In 2008 during the April General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (General Conference happens every 6 month. It is a time for LDS member – or anyone who would like to listen - around the world to gather and hear The Prophets of God relate new revelation from our Father in Heaven.) Dallin H. Oaks, one of the leaders of the church said this: “A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true. Such facts include the nature of the Godhead and our relationship to its three members, the effectiveness of the Atonement, and the reality of the Restoration.”

But just because someone knows what salt is, doesn’t necessarily mean they would recognize the taste.

“What is salt? I’ve never seen or tasted it before.”

“Well, it’s a crystal. It’s kind of white in color.”

“So, kind of like sugar?”

“Well, kind of, but not really... It’s why the sea has its taste.”

“I’ve never been to the sea.”

“Oh, well, it’s used to season and preserve food.”

“So it is like sugar?”

“Not really. Sugar is sweet, and salt is, salty. Savory tasting.”

You could go into details about the chemical composition and even show detailed pictures of what it looks like, but they would never really know how to recognize it if it were ever in any foods they ate.

The conversation could go on and on, but the simplest way to describe Salt to someone would be if the conversation went more like this:

“What is salt? I’ve never seen or tasted it before.”

“Well, hold on.” you then go into the kitchen and gets the salt shaker, come back and say, “This is salt. Hold out your hand.” The other person hold out their hand and you sprinkle some salt in their palm. “Look at it, and then lick it.” They do so, and you say, “That is salt.”

Similarly a testimony, or the confirmation of truth from the Holy Ghost cannot be completely described with words alone. Through example and someone “tasting” the Holy Ghost witnessing something to them is the only way to really understand what it is.

Yesterday when we returned home from out Sunday meetings, I asked my husband to relate a couple different stories from his mission to our children. They listened intently (for the most part, they are only aged 6, 4, and 3) and after he told the first they wanted another story. Once my husband had finished his stories, he shared his testimony of the gospel, very simply and plainly for them. He shared his testimony of the love Jesus Christ has and the truth of the gospel. After that, I shared my testimony of prayer with our little ones. Once I was done talking to them, I took a deep breath and asked my children how they felt inside. The described how they felt differently, but all agreed that they felt their hearts were calm and happy. Then I pointed out that what they were feeling was the Holy Ghost bearing witness to them that what Daddy and Mommy had said was true. That moment will mark the start of them being able to build their own testimonies on many different fact of the Gospel as they grow because they are now aware of how the Holy Ghost communicates with them to tell them when something is true.

We, as parents, let our kids taste the salt rather than try to sit and explain something that they might not ever grasp on through words alone.

As the Holy Ghost testifies to us the truth of the same thing over and over again, our testimony of that thing grows. We share our testimony with others and through sharing, we help others start to gain a testimony as well as increase our own faith and strengthen our testimonies.

I know that God is our Father. I know He loves us. He listens and answers our sincere prayers and as we strive to do what we know is right He guides us to that which will increase our spirituality and faith. I know that God lives, as does His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ all can be made whole. All can escape their captivity, whether it be sin, fear or anything else that keeps us from progressing. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it!

If you have questions about the Mormon faith, please ask me, or another Mormon. Whatever your reasons for asking are, won’t change my love for you or our friendship. Whether you are interested in joining the Mormon Church or just have some questions about what we believe or why we believe it, I would love to talk with you about it. No strings attached.

If you want to know more about me, asking about my faith is the biggest thing you could ask, as it’s the biggest part of my life.