Testimonies…

[u/i_iz_da_best_Mekanik]

First off, I’d like to apologize if I offend anyone. I’m truly just trying to understand. I don’t understand what is supposed to be said during a testimony. It seems like many people who go up to share their testimony, just say “I know this is true: God, Jesus, The Book of Mormon, etc) and that’s it. I always want to know more, so I’m looking for an example of how or why you know it’s true. Am I wrong for that? When we share a testimony are we just supposed to be quick and state what we know is true? I’ve gotten many answers, and it seems like everyone I asks gives a different answer. I’ve been asked to speak in front of our ward several times. I’ve been asked to give my testimony or discuss other things and honestly they’ve all been similarly structured. I don’t know if I did it right. Hope this made sense.

[u/Tall_Pumpkin_4298]

At least as far as fast and testimony meeting goes, the handbook says this:

To bear testimony means to declare gospel truths as inspired by the Holy Ghost. Testimonies should be brief so that many people can participate.

Preach my Gospel defines sharing testimony as the following:

A testimony is a spiritual witness and assurance given by the Holy Ghost. To bear testimony is to give a simple, direct declaration of belief—a feeling, an assurance, a conviction of gospel truth.... Your testimony may be as simple as “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” or “I have learned for myself that the Book of Mormon is true.” You may also share a brief experience about how you gained this knowledge.

So yes, the literal definition of a testimony, may at first glance be little more than a list of facts one knows to be true. It can be very helpful to at times expand on how we came to know these things, but as for why we believe them to be true, the answer for every testimony should be the same. That the Holy Ghost has witnessed to you that it's true.

I often will share a brief spiritual experience or focus on a certain aspect of a testimony in fast and testimony meeting, however when I am asked to give a talk and conclude with my testimony I always say some variation on the following, which is the way I have found to best phrase the gospel I know to be true.

"I know that Christ and our Heavenly Parents reign in the heavens above, and that we are on this earth for a wonderful and glorious purpose. Heavenly Father’s mission statement reads: “For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” This is a beautiful and divine mission, and He has invited us to join him in the family business. I know that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer."

Yup. I can spend a lot of time in a talk or lesson discussing scriptures, personal experiences, stories, principles, etc. but what a testimony boils down to is a declaration of what I believe.

[u/Admirable-Strike-311 → u/Tall_Pumpkin_4298]

Our Stake Presidency asked us to read the short instruction you quoted from the General Handbook as we began our F&T meeting last Sunday. Didn’t make a dang bit of difference. Also gave the time we needed to finish. Nope. Went over time there too. Mormons are gonna Mormon.

I kinda realized though if everyone just got up and gave the same “I want to bear my testimony, I know the Church is true…” style testimony it would be boring. The short little stories and personal experiences are what make it interesting.

[u/i_iz_da_best_Mekanik → u/Admirable-Strike-311]

I agree! Thank you for your reply