Elder Craig Christensen : I Know These Things of Myself

We have been told for years that we should learn about the gospel "line upon line," and that we can develop our testimonies "precept upon precept." Brothers and Sisters, Heavenly Father is wating for us. We are His children and He wants us to return home. If we approach Him with an open heart He will respond to our prayers. 

Over the last few years I have come to believe that if we come to Heavenly Father with an open heart He will give each of us "something" to rely on during the storms of life, something that will be the foundation of our testimony and that will help us keep our faith despite the many voices and doubts that fill the world. It we let it, that one thing will become many and we will be able to stand up and say "I know these things of myself."

Elder Craig Christensen : I Know These Things of Myself

Read of watch the full talk here

As Elder Christensen began his talk he made reference to a promise made by President Monson: "Whether you are 12 or 112—or anywhere in between—you can know for yourself that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true."

Brothers and Sisters, President Monson spoke the truth when he shared that promise. We truly can know that the gospel is true we just have to be willing to ask with an open heart. It is vital that we do ask because we can't rely on the testimonies of others. We have to discover for ourselves the truth of the gospel and we have to do the work to strengthen our own testimonies. 

We are all children and we are constantly learning so it's ok if we have to rely on the testimonies of others for a while. Remember, one of our responsibilities as children of God is to share our testimony with our brothers and sisters, to help them find and develop their own. But we can't rey on them permanently. 

Think for a moment about what Elder Christensen said: "personal experiences with the Lord prepared Nephi for the adversity and challenges he would soon face. They enabled him to stand strong even when others in his family were struggling. He could do this because he had learned for himself and he knew for himself. He had been blessed with his own testimony." 

We should all strive to be that strong, to have testimonies that won't flinch even in our darkest times. Remember, faith doesn't have to be complicated, we just want it to become strong. As Elder Christensen said, "this Church quite literally was founded on the principle that anyone—including a 14-year-old farm boy—can “ask of God” and receive an answer to his prayers."

I'll leave you with one final thought. Over the years of my membership in the church I have at times struggled with my testimony, everyone does as some point. But I have always, always, felt stronger and more confident about my testimony when I have stood up and shared it. 

So, I offer this challenge to you: read, pray, and fast to know the truth, then get up and share your testimony with someone else. It will help you and hopefuly it will help them.