Defining moments in life come often and unexpectedly, even when you're still young.

Allow me to share a story about a high school student, Kevin, chosen to travel out of state for a student leader event, as told in his own words:

“My turn in line came and the official- looking registration clerk asked for my name. She looked at her list and said,

‘So you’re the young man from Utah?’ ‘You mean I’m the only one?’ I asked.

‘Yes, the only one.’ She handed me my nametag

with ‘Utah’ printed below my name. As I clipped it on,

I felt like I was being branded.

I crowded into the hotel elevator with five other high school students with nametags like mine. ‘Hey, you’re from Utah. Are you a Mormon?’

asked one student. I felt out of place with all these student leaders from all over the country. ‘Yes,’ I hesitantly admitted.

’You’re the guys who believe in Joseph Smith, who said he saw angels.

You don’t actually believe that, do you?′

I didn’t know what to say. The students in the elevator were all staring at me. I had just arrived and already everyone thought I was different.

I became a little defensive, but then said,

‘I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.’

‘Where had that come from?’ I wondered. I didn’t know I had it in me.

But the words felt true. ‘Yeah, I was told you were just religious nuts,’ he said. With that, there was an uncomfortable pause as the elevator door opened.

As we gathered our luggage, he walked down the hall laughing.

Then a voice behind me asked, ’Hey, don’t Mormons have

some sort of another Bible?′ Oh, no, not again! I turned to see

another student who had been in the elevator with me, Christopher.

‘It’s called the Book of Mormon,’ I said, wanting to drop the subject. I picked up my bags and started walking down the hall.

‘Is that the book Joseph Smith translated?’ he asked.

‘Yes, it is,’ I answered. I kept on walking,

hoping to avoid embarrassment. ‘Well, do you know how I could get one?’

A scripture I learned in seminary suddenly came to me: ‘I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ As this entered my mind,

I felt ashamed that I’d been so embarrassed. For the rest of the week that scripture wouldn’t leave me.

I answered as many questions about the Church as I could, and I made many friends. I discovered I was proud of my religion.

I gave Christopher a Book of Mormon. He later wrote me telling me he had invited the missionaries to his home.

I learned not to be embarrassed to share my testimony.”

I’m inspired by Kevin’s courage. By the way, he’s now a bishop serving in Indiana.

It's a courage repeated every day by faithful members of the Church throughout the world. As I share my thoughts,

I invite you to reflect upon these four questions:

Do I understand what a testimony is? Do I know how to bear my testimony?

What are the obstacles in sharing my testimony? How do I keep my testimony?

Your testimony is a most precious possession,

often associated with deep spiritual feelings.

These feelings are usually communicated quietly and described as “a still small voice.” It is your belief or knowledge of truth given as a spiritual witness through the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Acquiring this witness will change what you say and how you act.

Key elements of your testimony confirmed by the Holy Ghost include five elements: God is your Heavenly Father; you are

His child. He loves you. Jesus Christ lives.

He is the Son of the living God and your Savior and Redeemer.

Joseph Smith is a prophet of God called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints is God’s restored Church on the earth.

The restored Church of Jesus Christ is led by a living prophet today.

You bear your testimony when you share spiritual feelings with others. As a member of the Church,

opportunities to bear your spoken testimony come in formal church meetings or in less formal, one-on-one conversations with family, friends, and others. Another way you share your testimony is through your righteous behavior. Your testimony in Jesus Christ isn’t just what you say,

it’s who you are. Each time you bear vocal witness or demonstrate through your actions your commitment to follow Jesus Christ, you invite others to “come unto Christ.”

Members of the Church “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.” Opportunities to do this in the digital universe, using inspiring content of our own or sharing uplifting content prepared by others, are endless.

We testify when we love, share, and invite—even online.

Your tweets, direct messages, and posts will take on a higher, holier purpose when you also use social media to show how the gospel of Jesus Christ shapes your life.

Obstacles to sharing your testimony may include uncertainty about what to say.

Matthew Cowley, an early Apostle, shared this experience as he departed on a five-year mission at age 17 to New Zealand.

Quote: “I will never forget ... the day I left [my father’s] last words to me,

’My boy, [when you] go out on that mission; ... and sometimes when you’re called upon, you will think you’re wonderfully prepared, but when you stand up, your mind will go completely blank.′ ...

I said, ‘What do you do when your mind goes blank?’

He said, ’You stand up there and with all the fervor of your soul, you will bear witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God,

and thoughts will flood into your mind and words to your mouth ... to the heart of everyone who listens.′

And so my mind, being mostly blank during my ... mission ...

gave me the opportunity to bear testimony to the greatest event in the history of the world since the crucifixion [and resurrection] of the Master. Try it sometime, [boys] and girls,

if you don’t have anything else to say,

testify that Joseph Smith was the prophet of God,

and the whole history of the Church will flood into your mind.” Close quote. Likewise, President Dallin H. Oaks shared, “Sometimes testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”

The Spirit bears witness to the speaker and listener alike.

Another obstacle, as Kevin’s story emphasized, is fear.

as Paul wrote to Timothy:

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love.

Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.”

You see, feelings of fear don't come from the Lord,

but most often from the adversary.

Having faith, as Kevin did, will allow you to overcome these feelings and freely share what is in your heart. How do I keep my testimony?

I believe a testimony is innate within us. Yet, in order to keep it and more fully develop it, Alma taught that we must nourish our testimony with much care. As we do so it will get root and grow up and bring forth fruit.

Without this, it withers away.

Each beloved member of the First Presidency has provided us with direction on how to keep a testimony. President Henry B. Eyring lovingly taught us that ’feasting on the word of God, heartfelt prayer, and obedience to the Lord’s commandments must be applied for your testimony to grow and prosper.”

President Dallin H. Oaks reminded us to retain our testimony “we need to partake of the sacrament each week to qualify for the precious promise that we will ‘always have His Spirit to be with [us.]’”

And President Nelson kindly counseled recently and emphasized again this morning, “Feed [your testimony] truth. ... Nourish yourself in the words of ancient [prophets] and modern prophets.

Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better.

Spend more time in temple and family history work. ...

Make your testimony your highest priority.”

My beloved brothers and sisters, I promise you as you more fully understand what a testimony is and as you share it, you will overcome obstacles of uncertainty and fear, enabling you to nurture and keep this most precious possession, your testimony. We’re blessed to have countless examples of ancient and modern-day prophets who have boldly borne their testimonies.

Following Christ’s death, Peter stood and testified:

“Be it known unto you all, ... that by the name of Jesus Christ ... doth this man stand here before you. ... For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Amulek, following Alma’s sermon on faith, stated powerfully, “I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true.

Behold, I say unto you that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, ... and He shall atone for [all] the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, upon witnessing a glorious vision of the resurrected Savior, testified:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony ... which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.” Brothers and sisters, I invite you to seek opportunities to bear your testimony in word and in deed. Such an opportunity came to me recently at the end of a meeting with the mayor of a capital city in South America,

in his chambers with a number of his cabinet officials.

As we concluded with very cordial feelings, I hesitantly thought I should share my testimony.

Following the prompting, I offered a witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.

Everything changed at that moment. The Spirit in the room was undeniable. It seemed everyone was touched.

The Comforter beareth record of the Father and the Son.

I'm so grateful I summoned the courage to bear my testimony.

When a moment like this comes, grab it and embrace it.

You’ll feel the warmth of the Comforter inside you when you do.

I offer my testimony and witness to you. God is our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ lives, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s Church on the earth today,

led by our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.