Elder Morrison Oct 2022

 We grow in our discipleship when we exercise faith in the Lord during difficult times.

During the Savior’s earthly ministry, He noticed a man who was blind. Jesus’s disciples asked, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”

The Savior’s firm, loving, and sincere answer reassures us that He is mindful of our struggles: “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”¹

While some challenges may come because of willful disobedience, we know that many of life’s challenges come because of other reasons. Whatever the source of our challenges, they can be a golden opportunity to grow.

Our family has not been spared the adversities of life. Growing up, I admired large families. Such families felt appealing to me, especially when I found the Church in my teens through my maternal uncle, Sarfo, and his wife in Takoradi, Ghana.

When Hannah and I were married, we desired the fulfillment of our patriarchal blessings, which indicated that we would be blessed with many children. However, prior to the birth of our third boy, it became medically clear that Hannah would not be able to have another baby. Gratefully, though Kenneth was born in a life-threatening situation to both him and his mother, he arrived safely, and his mother recovered. He was able to begin to fully participate in our family life—including Church attendance, daily family prayers, scripture study, home evening, and wholesome recreational activities.

Though we had to adjust our expectations of a large family, it was a joy to put into practice the teachings from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” with our three beloved children. Following those teachings added much meaning to my growing faith.

As the proclamation states: “Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”² As we put these principles into practice, we were blessed.

However, one weekend during my service as a stake president, we experienced perhaps the worst trial parents can face. Our family returned from a Church activity and gathered for lunch. Then our three boys went out within our compound to play.

My wife felt repeated impressions that something might be wrong. She asked me to check on the children while we were washing the dishes. I felt they were safe since we could hear their voices of excitement from their play.

When we both finally went to check on our sons, to our dismay we found little 18-month-old Kenneth helpless in a bucket of water, unseen by his brothers. We rushed him to the hospital, but all attempts to revive him proved futile.

We were devastated that we would not have the opportunity to raise our precious child during this mortal life. Though we knew Kenneth would be part of our family eternally, I found myself questioning why God would let this tragedy happen to me when I was doing all I could to magnify my calling. I had just come home from fulfilling one of my duties in ministering to the Saints. Why couldn’t God look upon my service and save our son and our family from this tragedy? The more I thought about it, the more bitter I became.

My wife never blamed me for not responding to her promptings, but I learned a life-changing lesson and made two rules, never to be broken:

Rule 1: Listen to and heed the promptings of your wife.

Rule 2: If you are not sure for any reason, refer to rule number 1.

Though the experience was shattering and we continue to grieve, our overwhelming burden was eventually eased.³ My wife and I learned specific lessons from our loss. We came to feel united and bound by our temple covenants; we know we can claim Kenneth as ours in the next world because he was born in the covenant. We also gained experience necessary to minister to others and empathize with their pain. I testify that our bitterness has since dispersed as we exercised faith in the Lord. Our experience continues to be hard, but we have learned with the Apostle Paul that we “can do all things through Christ which [strengthens us]” if we focus on Him.⁴

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.” He further said, “Joy comes from and because of Him.”⁵

We can be of good cheer and be filled with peace in our tough times. The love we feel because of the Savior and His Atonement becomes a powerful resource to us in our trying moments. “All that is unfair [and difficult] about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”⁶ He commanded, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”⁷ He can help us endure whatever pain, sickness, and trials we face in mortality.

We find many scriptural stories of great and noble leaders, such as Jeremiah, Job, Joseph Smith, and Nephi, who were not spared from the struggles and challenges of mortality. They were mortals who learned to obey the Lord even in harsh conditions.⁸

During the terrible days in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith cried out: “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?”⁹ The Lord taught Joseph to “endure it well”¹⁰ and promised that if he did, all these things would give him experience and would be for his good.¹¹

Reflecting on my own experiences, I realize I have learned some of my best lessons during the hardest times in my life, times that took me out of my comfort zone. Difficulties I encountered as a youth, while learning about the Church through seminary, as a recent convert, and as a full-time missionary and challenges I faced in my education, in striving to magnify my callings, and in raising a family have prepared me for the future. The more I cheerfully respond to difficult circumstances with faith in the Lord, the more I grow in my discipleship.

The hard things in our lives should come as no surprise once we have entered the strait and narrow path.¹² Jesus Christ learned “obedience by the things which he suffered.”¹³ As we follow Him, especially in our difficult times, we can grow to become more like Him.

One of the covenants we make with the Lord in the temple is to live the law of sacrifice. Sacrifice has always been part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all who have lived or will live on earth.

I know that the Lord always compensates our righteous desires. Remember the many children I was promised in my patriarchal blessing? That blessing is being fulfilled. My wife and I served with several hundred missionaries, from more than 25 countries, in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission. They are as dear to us as if they were literally our own children.

I testify that we grow in our discipleship when we exercise faith in the Lord during difficult times. As we do so, He will mercifully strengthen us and help us carry our burdens. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Lessons Learned:     

1. You can answer questions firmly and still be loving and sincere

2. Challenges in life can come from willful disobedience; others are part of life

3. No matter the source, we can glorify God in how we respond

4. Make sure your family life includes: church attendance, daily family prayer, scripture study, home evening and wholesome recreational activities

5. Affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman; it is essential to God’s plan; children are entitled to be born to a married couple and reared by them

6. Two people can be righteous and still only one receives the prompting. Don’t brush off another’s prompting because you didn’t get one and what you see discounts it. It can be life changing!

7. Learn from your losses

8. Minister to others with what you learn

9. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you - so focus on Him in your pain

10. You can feel joy regardless of what is happening or not happening in your life if you focus on Christ and His gospel.

11. You can feel peace in tough times and you can be of good cheer because of the Atonement of Christ

12. You can endure whatever pain, sickness and trial that is coming

13. The scriptures will help you find strength in other great souls who were not spared struggle and challenges

14. You will learn to obey the Lord in harsh conditions - endure it well

15. Your best lessons will be learned in the hardest of times still coming

16. You are going to be taken out of your comfort zone

17. These hard experiences will prepare you for Zion

18. Cheerfully respond to the difficult circumstances coming with faith in the Lord. You will be a greater disciple than before

19. Don’t be surprised that hard things are coming. They have been prophesied and the scriptures teach we learn obedience by the things we suffer.

20. You have covenanted to live the law of sacrifice. Let it remind you of the Savior’s Atoning Sacrifice always.

21. The Lord will compensate you for your righteous desires. Promises will always be fulfilled, even if in unexpected ways.

Elder Stevenson Oct 2022

 I invite you to seek opportunities to bear your testimony in word and in deed.

Introduction

Defining moments in life come often and unexpectedly, even when you are 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 name tag 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 name tags 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 that you were all 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.

“‘Yeah, 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 am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.’¹ As this entered my mind, I felt ashamed I had 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.”²

I am inspired by Kevin’s courage in sharing his testimony. It is 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:

1. Do I know and understand what a testimony is?

2. Do I know how to bear my testimony?

3. What are the obstacles in sharing my testimony?

4. How do I keep my testimony?

Do I Know and Understand What a Testimony Is?

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.”³ 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:

• 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.

Do I Know How to Bear My Testimony?

You bear your testimony when you share spiritual feelings with others. As a member of the Church, you have opportunities to bear your spoken testimony 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 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.”⁴

Members of the Church stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places.⁵ 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.

What Are the Obstacles in Sharing My Testimony?

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:

“I will never forget the prayers of my father the day that I left. I have never heard a more beautiful blessing in all my life. Then his last words to me at the railroad station, ‘My boy, you will go out on that mission; you will study; you will try to prepare your sermons; and sometimes when you are called upon, you will think you are wonderfully prepared, but when you stand up, your mind will go completely blank.’ I have had that experience more than once.

“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 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 of the Master. Try it sometime, fellows 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.”⁶

Likewise, President Dallin H. Oaks shared, “Some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”⁷ 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 therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.”⁸

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.⁹ As we do so, “it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.”¹⁰ Without this, “it withers away.”¹¹

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 evenly and continually for your testimony to grow and prosper.”¹²

President Dallin H. Oaks reminded us that to retain our testimony, “we need to partake of the sacrament each week (see D&C 59:9) to qualify for the precious promise that we will ‘always have his Spirit to be with [us]’ (D&C 20:77).”¹³  Tiffany

And President Russell M. Nelson kindly counseled recently:

“Feed [your testimony] truth. …

“… Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets. Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better. Spend more time in the temple and in family history work.

“… Make your testimony your highest priority.”¹⁴

Conclusion

My beloved brothers and sisters, I promise that 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 are 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 of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, … doth this man stand here before you. …

“… For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”¹⁵

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 that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”¹⁶

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, last of all, 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.”¹⁷

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 of the Son.”¹⁸ I am so grateful I summoned the courage to bear my testimony.

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

Lessons Learned:     

1. What are the defining moments of your testimony?

2. You will have more and they will come in unexpected moments

3. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ

4. Have courage to share your testimony in spite of fear

5. Acquire the witness of the Holy Ghost and it will change your life

6. Essential elements of your testimony:

1. God is your Heavenly Father and loves you

2. You are His child

3. Jesus Christ is His Son

4. He lives

5. He is your Savior and Redeemer

6. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God

7. He restored the Church of Jesus Christ

8. The Church is God’s restored Church on the earth

9. It is led by a living prophet

7. Invite others to come to Christ - in church, in person, and by the way you live 

8. Stand as a witness at all times, in all things and in all places

9. Use digital means in higher and holier ways to show how the gospel shapes your life

10. If you don’t know what to say, share your testimony of Joseph Smith

11. The Spirit will confirm your words as you speak them

12. God is not the author of fear, but of power and love

13. Nourish your testimony so it will get root, grow up and bring forth fruit

14. Feast on the word of God

15. Pray

16. Obey the commandments

17. Take the sacrament weekly to qualify for the promise of the Spirit to be with you

18. Feed your testimony truth from the prophets ancient and modern

19. Pray to learn to hear Him better

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

21. Make your testimony your highest priority 

22. There is no other name by which we can be saved than Jesus

23. Act on promptings to share and you will feel the Spirit come into the room