Watch or read Elder Stevenson’s talk at Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony (churchofjesuschrist.org)

Elder Stevenson begins his talk by telling the story of Kevin, a young student leader travelling out of state for a student leader event.

What did you learn from the story of Kevin? Have you ever had a similar experience?

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?

Let’s look at each of Elder Stevenson’s questions in turn.

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.” 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.

Elder Stevenson says that testimony is a most precious possession. President Gordon B Hinckley said:

This witness, this testimony, can be the most precious of all the gifts of God. It is a heavenly bestowal when there is the right effort. It is the opportunity, it is the responsibility of every man and woman in this Church to obtain within himself or herself a conviction of the truth of this great latter-day work and of those who stand at its head, even the living God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are the right efforts we need to make to obtain a testimony?

Notice the 5 elements of a testimony that Elder Stevenson identifies. Why is each element important?

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.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks reminded us: “The value to the world of the Restored  Gospel of Jesus Christ lies in its savour, its difference from  the rest of Christianity and from the rest of the world. If we fail to communicate that difference, that unique addition we can make to the understanding and authority of  the rest of Christianity, we will have lost our value to the  world and to the kingdom and will be ‘good for nothing,  but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men’  (Matthew 5:13).” (Address to Regional Representatives,  April 5, 1985.)

How easy do you find it to bear your testimony to others? Is this something you could improve on?

What Are the Obstacles in Sharing My Testimony?

Elder Stevenson identifies uncertainty about what to say and fear as obstacles we face to bearing our testimony.

What obstacles do you face and how can you overcome them?

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.”

We may think that our faith and testimony are strong, but such are the constant attacks of the adversary that without nourishment our testimony will wither away.

How do you nourish your 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.”

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).”

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.”

This is wonderful counsel from prophets, seers and revelators.

Is the nourishment our testimony is receiving sufficient for healthy growth?

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.

What will you do differently now that you have studied Elder Stevenson’s talk?

NB: Passages in italics are direct quotes from Elder Stevenson’s talk.