A true testimony, once obtained, is to be shared with others, said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve during the Saturday afternoon session.

Copyright Intellectual Reserve

Choir made up of Primary children from stakes in West Jordan, Utah, sing during Saturday afternoon session.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

After explaining that a testimony is "the foundation of our faith" and the binding power that makes the Church unique in the lives of its members, Elder Ballard defined a testimony as "a witness or confirmation of eternal truth impressed upon individual hearts and souls through the Holy Ghost whose primary ministry is to testify of truth, particularly as it relates to the Father and the Son."

Real testimony, he said, changes lives. "It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make."

Like almost everything else, he noted, testimonies grow and develop through experience and service. He expressed concern that too many testimonies "linger on 'I am thankful' and 'I love' and too few are able to say with humble but sincere clarity, 'I know.' As a result our meetings sometimes lack the testimony-rich, spiritual underpinnings that stir the soul and have meaningful, positive impact on the lives of all those who hear them.

"Our testimony meetings need to be more centered on the Savior, the doctrines of the gospel, the blessings of the Restoration, and the teachings of the scriptures. We need to be careful and replace some of the stories and the travelogues and the lectures with pure testimonies. Those who are entrusted to speak and teach in our meetings need to do so with doctrinal power that will be both heard and felt, lifting the spirits and edifying our people."

He reviewed the effects of the testimonies of scriptural leaders King Benjamin, Abinadi and Paul.

Then he said, "The lesson, I believe, is clear: having a testimony alone is not enough. In fact, when we are truly converted, we cannot be restrained from testifying. And as it was with the apostles and faithful members of old, so is it also our privilege, our duty, our solemn obligation to 'declare the things which (we) . . . know to be true' (Doctrine and Covenants 80:4)."

Then after his counsel to testify, Elder Ballard said, "Again, please keep in mind that we are talking about sharing real testimony, not just speaking generally about the things we are thankful for. While it is always good to express love and gratitude, such expressions do not constitute the kind of testimony that will ignite a fire of belief in the lives of others. . . . Clear declaration of truth makes a difference in people's lives. That is what changes hearts. That is what the Holy Ghost can confirm in the hearts of God's children. . . .

"Testify that God is our father and that Jesus is the Christ. The plan of salvation is centered on the Savior's Atonement. Joseph Smith restored the fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon is evidence that our testimony is true."

Further, Elder Ballard said, "Miraculous things happen when members join with missionaries and share pure testimony with those who are not members of the Church."