Valiant in our testimonies: Day 1

Valiant in our testimony – Elder Christoffel Golden

Testimony is the beginning of and a prerequisite to continuing conversion. Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination. Strong testimony is the foundation upon which conversion is established.

-David A. Bednar, Oct. 2012 general conference

What is the foundation of your testimony?
How often do you share it, and build from it?

About 9 months ago I had the privilege of visiting my parents in Washington and attending their ward for church on Sunday. In the Relief Society meeting we had a lesson that has stuck with me and will remain with me until my journal spontaneously bursts into flames.

The gist of it was, hold onto and bear testimony of what you DO know and the rest will fall perfectly into place. If all you have today is a testimony that Christ lives, then hold onto that and bear testimony of it. If all you have today is a testimony of the early prophets or the word of wisdom, or the love of God, then start there and build upon it. The point being, that a testimony is not a destination but a point to start from, just as Elder Bednar states above. It is a point of departure. And while it may be hard to stand for your beliefs and principles in whatever your circumstances may be, we have the promise that if we stand tall we will be blessed. Either in this life or the next. For those who are persecuted for His names sake, shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. [i]

I recently went through a period of time at my full-time-outside-of-the-home-job where I was faced with some very difficult and potentially life altering choices. I knew that I could find the comfort and answers that I needed to help me through this time in the temple, however our temple was closed for the next 3 months. Getting to the next nearest temple during the closure proved to be impossible and for the first time in a very long time I felt spiritually wayward. I continued to read my scriptures, ponder the general conference talks and pray, daily. And yet I knew that I needed the peace that can only be found inside the temple to truly calm my mind and help me see the way clearly.

It was during this time that I had to rely on my testimony and what I DID know to be true and trust in that. I trusted that there was a path, and that I just needed to stay on the path and the answers would be given to me in time. It was hard, and frustrating and a very literal physical, emotional and spiritual trial. And at the end of it all, I am able to stand even taller upon the principles and faith that I am building my life and family around, because they are true! I know it, I live it, I love it.

Kelly Westover

Wife to Eric. Mom to Quinn. And Twins Avery & Rhys. I believe that I am a child of God. Who loves me & I love him. I believe in date nights to the Temple. To the movies. Out to dinner and especially long hikes.
Wednesday’s are my fave day of the week because, ‘it’s Wednesday David’. Red is simply the best color. And black takes a close second.