What does it mean to bear testimony?

A testimony is a spiritual witness, given by the Holy Ghost, of the truthfulness of the gospel. When we bear testimony, we declare to others what we know to be true by the power of the Spirit. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves us, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that His gospel has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior’s true Church.

As you prepare yourself spiritually for our next class, watch Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk about Testimony from the April 2008 General Conference, and then read the following scriptures and think about how you would answer the questions below.

"Testimony", Elder Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, April 2008

Alma 5:46-47

46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.

How does a testimony come?
Of what should we have a testimony?


D&C 76:22-24

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

This is the essence of pure testimony, for the Prophet describes what he saw. He was a witness, and he said what he saw. That is all the bearing testimony is - saying what we know for a fact to be true. Not speculating and sharing hearsay, but saying what we know for ourselves to be true.

Alma 4:18-20 "... seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them."

What effect can our testimonies have on others?
What does it mean to bear down in pure testimony?