Testimonies and what they contain

[_Gazelam]

Thanks for sharing the notes form your meeting.

A fast and testimony meeting is an interesting thing. Its an open podium for anyone who wants to to get up and declare what they know to be truth.

One of my favorite scriptures is found in D&C 84, the whole section is good, and theres a stern point at the end chargeing the members to bear testimony of the gospel. The part I want to cite is this:

61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

It strengthens others to hear the truths of the gospel testified to. The Holy Ghost bears witness of it, I've felt it when I testify. A testimony comes from hearing the word of God through the testimony of the servants of God, and in no other way. There are those who question the scriptures, and rile themselves uyp against them, saying it taints their knowledge of God, when the fact is that they would have no knowledge of God at all if it werent for those very same prophets.

Anyway, that's why lessons are given over what a testimony should be, they should not be about the great family vacation you just had, they should not be about how much your dead dog meant to you, they should be about what the spirit has witnessed to you and about new truths you recently learned or relearned or viewed in a new way while studying and praying and shareing the gospel during the week.

Gaz

[_gramps]

It's important to remember how little we know of the Orient. They are attempting to learn more: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/c ... oyage_east

That's funny. Thanks for that!

[_marg]

It strengthens others to hear the truths of the gospel testified to. The Holy Ghost bears witness of it, I've felt it when I testify. A testimony comes from hearing the word of God through the testimony of the servants of God, and in no other way. There are those who question the scriptures, and rile themselves uyp against them, saying it taints their knowledge of God, when the fact is that they would have no knowledge of God at all if it werent for those very same prophets.

As an active believing Mormon, Gaz what do you perceive are your benefits due to this practice and belief, and what are your costs? How are you better off in your daily living than an atheist ? How are you worse off? Assuming you think the God you believe in cares whether or not you believe he/she/it exists, why do you think such an entity would care about any human's belief in any supreme entity?

[_Mercury]

All I know is that theres some country where burping after a meal is considered respectful. Which one it is I have no idea. I was merely trying to make a point.

If I was wrong or disrespectful, I apologize.

Tonga

[_Sam Harris]

I have noticed that most of the testimonies in my ward offered during our Fast and Testimony Meeting time, contain no reference to God or Jesus but most all invariably contain the statement that "I know this is the true Church". Since I personally identify with progressive Christianity, I would like to hear more devotion to Jesus, but that's just me and I can't really impact what is important to my fellow members.

Has this been your experience as well?

Yep. That's why I always said "I know the Gospel is true". I used to hate that, all that sniffling over a true church. A church is but the vessel that holds the body of Christ.

[_Sam Harris]

I think theres an attitude in the church that we have to seperate ourselves from the other churchs, and while we in the Church have a deep love of Jesus Christ, we avoid frequent and fawning praise to him. We do this just so that we don't sound like the evangelicals or televangelists or whatever.

No one understands Christ better than we do, but we have somewhat handicapped ourselves and tied one hand behind our backs in our efforts to "not be like them".

I'll make it a point to praise Christ next time I attend FATM.

So God is not worthy of praise? Wow.

And there are plenty out there who think they know/understand Christ, but they do not act like Him, nor do they act like they really "know".

[_Sam Harris]

I think theres an attitude in the church that we have to seperate ourselves from the other churchs, and while we in the Church have a deep love of Jesus Christ, we avoid frequent and fawning praise to him. We do this just so that we don't sound like the evangelicals or televangelists or whatever.

No one understands Christ better than we do, but we have somewhat handicapped ourselves and tied one hand behind our backs in our efforts to "not be like them".

I'll make it a point to praise Christ next time I attend FATM.

Gaz,

That post ticks me off. It looks like you're saying that in order to make yourself "not be like them"...you avoid praising the Savior.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE????????????????????

Jersey Girl

Nei.