Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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"The testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful motivating force in our lives."
A testimony of Christ helps in learning God's plan. It gives assurance about the goodness of God, the Atonement and prophets. A testimony is "feelings of our heart and mind rather than an accumulation of logical, sterile facts. It is a gift of the Spirit, a witness from the Holy Ghost that certain concepts are true."
The absolute truth of the gospel message is declared with testimony. "Our firm conviction of gospel truth is an anchor in our lives; it is steady and reliable as the North Star." A testimony includes these truths: that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
Testimony is gained through work. It comes through a desire to believe and study, by doing the will of God, and with fasting and prayer.
"A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. We cannot depend on the testimonies of other people. We need to know for ourselves."
