Lesson for May 21, 2017

Our lesson today is given by Camille Maynard on "The Precious Gift of Testimony," chapter 9 in the Teachings of Gordon B Hinckley Camille asked about events that solidified our testimonies. Some sisters too of times when they were younger and realized tha they have testimonies. It is good to know that we have that gift. President Hinckley tells of his first memory of spiritual things when he had an ear infection at age 5 and heard his father giving him a blessing and felt the Spirit. He also remembered saying his prayers as a teenager and getting into bed and recognizing the gift he had received of knowing he had a testimony. We all had those first feelings of knowing a testimony. How can our testimony contribute to the worl-wide church. Like little drops of water we fill up the lamps of the church. How we fulfill our callings also contributes. We carry a light with us that influences others. Some people are more able to reach people in the way that speaks to them and it's different for each person. We have become a great family in different circumstances, but we have common testimonies.President Hinckley said: This thing which we call testimony is the great strength of the Church. It is the wellspring of faith and activity. . . . It is as real and powerful as any force on the earth. The Lord described it when He spoke to Nicodemis and said, "Yhe wind Bowery where it listens, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). This thing which we call testimony is difficult to define, but its fruits are plainly evident. It is the Holy Spirit testifying through us. It has the power to change lives and actions. He also said that personal testimony is what motivates us to sacrifice for the gospel and make change in our lives. It is heard from all factions of members in the Church. Life is purposeful and we are on a common journey of achieving security in the fact that God lives and we have places and things to go and do. Camille had us read five stories about testimony and its effects. One story was but David Casteneda and his poor farm and walking in poverty until the elders contacted them and baptized them. They grew in prosperity and as a family. Over 200 people have joined the church because of them. Another story was about a naval officer from another country. He was being trained in the USA an he was attracted to some other officers who had light. The Spirit touched his heart as they taught him and he joined the Church. He knew his family would cast him out and he thought he might lose his career. He said "It's true, isn't it, then what else really matters?" Lisa Merrill taught a man on her mission and when he returned home from going to school he found that his family had joined the Church. The third story is about an engineer whose wife wante to join the Church and he grew angry about time and money it woulD cost. He walked the street swearing and angry, but a voice came to him and said, "It' true" and peace came to him. He went home to find his wife praying. The things he was upset about were no longer a problem to him. Some people who look up the Church do so academically, but others are not concerned with costs and want the truth, so the things that academically are barriers are no problem with the right attitude The fourth story is about an intellectual woman, major in the Army, who spoke to a military group in Berchtesgaden about when the missionaries came to see her. They were so impressive she offered to buy anything they were selling. They told her of the gospel and her testimony is now the most precious thing her life. Now she just wants to serve others. President Hinckley said it is the same with hundreds of people a over the world, no matter their economic status or education. We all have our own stories of how we have to stand on our own feet. Suzy said on her mission she met a combative man who complained about Joseph Smith. She said that by testifying about Joseph Smith, she gained a certainty of Joseph Smith. Camille said she had a similar experience hearing a missionary testify of Joseph Smith. When we have fears, we can pray to be reassured. As parents, we can teach our children to ray to overcome their fears. Our children may lean on our testimonies until they are sure of their own. How has your testimony sustained you in your life and influenced others? Did your mother help you pray? Remember the parable of the 10 virgins and fill your lamps with oil by going to the temple and praying and studying scriptures so we can be grounded in the gospel. In the New Testament when Jesus fed the 5,000 and telling the people the gospel, but some people thought it was too hard. Some left, but some disciples said, "You have the truth. Where could we find it elsewhere?" The gospel gives us the chance to have a testimony. What a blessing.