3 Types Of “Testimonies” The Prophets And Apostles Have Told Us To Avoid.

The first Sunday of each month always was the most nerve-racking as a missionary. Never knowing what fast and testimony meeting was going to hold. Often testimony meeting was treated like an open mic night at church. When the testimony meeting went off the rails it was torture to sit there.

But testimony meeting is not meant to be an open mic event! It is not the appropriate forum for people to go on rants, confessions, publicity stunts or calls for attention. These are NOT testimonies. In a matter of fact, the prophets have actually told us the types of testimonies that are not appropriate. But just as important as knowing how we can share a true testimony is also not judging others for their testimony. With that understanding, here are three types of testimonies we should stop sharing during fast and testimony meeting and what we should do instead.

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1st. The Sermon-mony.

Everyone has heard the sermon-mony. The person approaches the pulpit and proceeds to share quotes, scriptures, and lecture on a topic they think we need to hear. Nothing is wrong with sharing a quote or verse and testifying about it. But don’t sermonize, it is not the right place and you lack the authority to hijack a meeting like that.

“A testimony is not an exhortation; a testimony is not a sermon (none of you are there to exhort the rest); . . . The moment you begin preaching to others, your testimony ended.”

Spencer W. Kimball (Teachings of the Prophets Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 7)

2nd. The Travelogue-mony.

The travelogue-mony happens often during the summer months. As a missionary, we had one member ‘testify’ about a river rafting trip for so long that one of our investigators stood up and walked out of the meeting. We went to his house right after church and he told us, “That was not church!” Travelogues are not evil per se, but they are not testimonies. The purpose of a fast and testimony meeting is not to talk about your vacation to California, Nauvoo, or Kirtland or Disneyland It is to testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. Sure you can reference that recently you visited XY or Z and it strengthened your testimony. But when your vacation is more prominent than the gospel your testimony is a travelogue-mony.

The same principles apply to the Health-mony where you talk about your health issues. Sharing a short faith confirming miracle of healing via priesthood blessing/prayer/fasting is totally fine. Personally, I love these miracles, but going off on a health log where that becomes the focus instead of the gospel is not.

“A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon.”

Dallin H. Oaks (Testimony, Conference, April 2008)

The Story-mony.

I often fall into the trap of story-mony. I think that many of us do. The problem with a story-mony is that it is not a testimony but a talk. The most powerful talks I’ve heard in sacrament meetings were the stories of conversion to a particular principle. When members are not given a chance to give talks about their conversion story, they revert to giving testimonies about their story.

My homeward Bishop decided to change that. No longer would anyone be asked to give a talk based on conference talks; instead, they would share their conversion story. Why they joined the church, or how they were converted to XY or Z topics. When that happened the members realized that their conversion story is a talk, not testimony.

“We need to replace stories, travelogues, and lectures with pure testimonies.”

M. Russell Ballard (Pure Testimony, Conference, October 2004)

But what about the Thank-a-mony?

A thank-a-mony is a testimony in the seedling stage. There is nothing wrong with standing and giving thanks. After all, we are commanded to be grateful. I know that when I was praying for a testimony and did not have one yet often I could only give thanks, and oh how grateful I am now that I learned then to testify! But just like any seed, it should sprout into more. Of thank-a-monies Elder Ballard taught and I quote:

“We often hear some members, and especially children, bear their testimonies, listing things for which they are thankful: their love of family, the Church, their teachers, their friends. For them, the gospel is something that they are grateful for because it makes them feel happy and secure. This is a good beginning, but testimonies need to be much more. They need to be anchored very early to the first principles of the gospel.

“too many of our members’ testimonies linger on “I am thankful” and “I love,” and too few are able to say with humble but sincere clarity, “I know.” As a result, our meetings sometimes lack the testimony-rich, spiritual underpinnings that stir the soul and have meaningful, positive impact on the lives of all those who hear them.”

Russell M. Ballard (bold and italics added, Pure Testimony, Conference, October 2004)

So What Is A Testimony?

“You are there to bear your own witness. It is amazing what you can say in 60 seconds by way of testimony. . . Just tell how you feel inside. That is the testimony.”

Spencer W. Kimball (Teachings of the Prophets Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 7)

How Often Should I Share My Testimony?

“Do you think that you can go three, and six, and nine, and twelve months without bearing your testimony and still keep its full value?”

Spencer W. Kimball (Teachings of the Prophets Spencer W. Kimball Chapter 7)

“Those who have a testimony of the restored gospel also have a duty to share it.”

Dallin H. Oaks (Testimony, Conference, April 2008)

“Regarding one’s testimony, remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses.”

Thomas S. Monson (Pathways to Perfection [1973], 100–101, as found in Preach My Gospel Chapter 11)

I Don’t Feel Like I Have A Testimony, What Can I do?

“We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it . . . testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”

Dallin H. Oaks (Testimony, Conference, April 2008)

PS for fun enjoy some Fast and Testimony Memes.

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