“How do you know if you have a testimony?” New Era, Mar. 1974, 10–11
“How do you know if you have a testimony?”
Answer/Brother G. Homer Durham
Every conscious human being has a testimony of many things—that fire is hot, ice is cold, people are kind and unkind. A testimony is a declaration or affirmation to establish some fact.
A testimony of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ comes, fundamentally, in the same way that one learns about natural phenomena and human behavior, namely, by desire, effort, experience, and learning, including study, reflection, practice, and testing. In learning anything, it is always beneficial to make effort intelligently and with purpose. Jesus taught: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine. …” (John 7:17. Italics added.) James wrote: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. …” (James 1:5.)
A testimony of the truth of Christ’s gospel as restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith—that God lives, hears, and answers prayers, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that he guides and directs the Church through authorized priesthood channels, and that divine guidance is available to everyone who seeks it—can come in many ways and through a variety of experiences. Generally, the ability, willingness, and confidence one has in making such a solemn declaration comes from (1) desire, (2) study, (3) work, and (4) prayer. Study opens the door to knowledge. Before we can “do” his will, we must first come to know it. Work, or the application of the knowledge gained, using it in practice, is the laboratory in which knowledge can be tested. Prayer, accompanying both study and work, sustains intelligent, purposeful efforts, and brings the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.
How do you know if you have such a testimony?
The best way to find out is to express your honest, innermost feelings. Don’t undertake to amplify your doubts. But express those things of which you have hope. Expression is one form of doing. Express yourself to a parent, another loved one, a friend, a trusted counselor or teacher such as the bishop. Your first effort at stating your solemn declaration and affirmation will probably impress you with the fact that inside, after all, you really know for yourself more than you realized beforehand. Do not overlook the promises contained in Moroni 10:4–6 [Moro. 10:4–6], and in the Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9. [D&C 9:7–9]
“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.
“And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.”
“Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
“But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.”
If you have faithfully studied, worked, and prayed, you will know, just as you know when you feel well, or unwell. As Moroni wrote, “… by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moro. 10:5.)
President Brigham Young said: “Now, my friends … how do you know anything? Can you be deceived by the eye? You can. … Can you be deceived in hearing? Yes; you may hear sounds but not understand their import or whence they come. Can you be deceived by the touch of a finger? You can. The nervous system will not detect everything. What will? The revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of truth will detect everything, and enable all who possess it to understand truth from error, light from darkness, the things of God from the things not of God. It is the only thing that will enable us to understand the Gospel of the Son of God, the will of God, and how we can be saved. Follow it, and it will lead to God, the fountain of light, where the gate will be open, and the mind will be enlightened so that we shall see, know and understand things as they are.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 1925 ed., p. 52; Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 336.)
Finally, you should not expect a thunderbolt or some extraordinary manifestation. Rather, a testimony, in most cases, grows. It unfolds gradually, as it is desired, cultivated, and fed. But you will know. And it will be up to you to keep it sturdy and strong. If you neglect it, or discard your desire and exchange it for other values, or if you merely drift, your testimony will diminish. If you forsake it and pursue other values, one day you will not know the truth of the gospel. You will not manifest and declare your knowledge of it, because you, yourself, will have moved away and rejected it. Those who, like Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, receive direct, divine intervention are few in number. Nevertheless, help from those who have firm convictions is always available. But ultimately each person has to determine and decide for himself. Then without hesitation one may clearly affirm his knowledge. As study, activity, and prayer continue, one discovers the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 [D&C 50:24]: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (Italics added.)