Week 21: Testimony

Song: Testimony (H. 137)

Thought: A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, “Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.” I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for “only believing.” I told him that Christ Himself said, “Be not afraid, only believe,”12 a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field.13 I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe.”14 And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest. (Elder Jefferey R. Holland: Lord, I Believe)

Object Lesson: Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl. Then grab a glob of the mixture and start working it in your hands making it into a ball (like the actions to "Popcorn Popping"). Tell your family that as long as you keep working on it, it would hold together and get stronger. Then completely stop working the mix and it instantly will melt through your fingers. Explain that when you stop working on it, it fell apart -- much like a testimony, you have to continually work on strengthening it. Note: Make sure you put towels on the table or carpet because it is messy! You may want to wear something machine washable in case it splatters. (Shared by Stephanie Valdez / ga08082007)

Video: Waiting on Our Road to Damascus

Lesson Activity:
(For younger children consider having them color this picture while you do the following activity with your family.)
Invite your family to make a list of things that might weaken their testimony and ways they can keep it strong as they reads the 9th and 10th paragraphs of Elder Quentin L. Cook’s talk “Can Ye Feel So Now?” (Below in italics.) Ask your family to share examples they have seen that illustrate something from their lists.

Many who are in a spiritual drought and lack commitment have not necessarily been involved in major sins or transgressions, but they have made unwise choices. Some are casual in their observance of sacred covenants. Others spend most of their time giving first-class devotion to lesser causes. Some allow intense cultural or political views to weaken their allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony. Any who have made these choices can repent and be spiritually renewed.

Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined.

This Week's Challenge: Talk to your family about "waiting on our road to Damascus" and challenge them that if they are waiting for some large event to take place to stop waiting and move forward with faith to act on what they already do know and believe.