DBMormon Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 I am in the process of trying to formulate ideas on things your testimony should not be built on. I am hopeful this will be a serious list of things that can get a member in dangerous territory or on unsafe ground if these are the things their testimony is rooted in.My list so far1.) a testimony based on church history2.) a testimony based on science or scientific evidence3.) Testimony based on the testimony of others even if that person is a bishop, apostle, prophet. I knew a man who I said he has a testimony and will never leave, I will follow him and I will be safe. He left the church about a year later.4.) Testimony based on the doctrine or theology of a church leader, his talks, or his books. kind of goes with 3 but more knowledge based then spiritual based.5.) Testimony based on what others think of you. this may sound odd but need a way to say my testimony is not based on what others say in being critical of me or how i serve in a calling. in otherwords be not easily offended.6.) Testimony should not be based on doing good = being outwardly blessed. In other words good and bad things happen to good people. Doing what God asks doesn't always equal being belessed like abrahamWhat others... thanks ahead for your time and help
DBMormon Posted June 6, 2012 Author Posted June 6, 2012 7.) testimony based on perfect and always miraclous standards for leaders
bluebell Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 8. Testimony should not be based upon 'good feelings'.Though feeling the Spirit feels 'good' it is so much more than just that. Good feelings inside is a place to start when one is building a testimony, but should never be a place to stop. 1
treehugger Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 testimony should not built on the explanations of "religious scholars" whether they support the Church or not
CASteinman Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I don't think we should be in the business of defining how other people may be committed to the Lord. Even Jesus prayed for those who merely believe on the words of those who know. D&C 46 comes to mind. All of it but especially vs 13 and 14: To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.Anything that helps you to know or believe so that you can become a better Saint -- from the point where you are right now -- is valid for testimony. In my opinion. My firm opinion.
Christian Mormon Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Testimony based on how LDS people treat you.. Always remember the Church is perfect not the people.
robuchan Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 A testimony is a belief. We evaluate beliefs through a lot of different criteria. Most of OP's list seems appropriate to use as data points in forming a testimony/belief.
Libs Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 The definition of testimony is to testify to the truth of something. It indicates that you actually "know" something to be true. So, I think it is, supposed to be, more than mere "belief".So, if one is giving a testimony, they should have some kind of first hand experience that what they are testifying to is true.That's why it is considered important to get a spiritual testimony of the Book of Mormon...and, thus, the Restoration.
Libs Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 What NOT to base a testimony on? I think a testimony can be a combination of many things (even some of the things already mentioned.....except for funeral potatoes, perhaps )
inquiringmind Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 (edited) I don't think we should be in the business of defining how other people may be committed to the Lord. Even Jesus prayed for those who merely believe on the words of those who know. D&C 46 comes to mind. All of it but especially vs 13 and 14: Anything that helps you to know or believe so that you can become a better Saint -- from the point where you are right now -- is valid for testimony. In my opinion. My firm opinion.Doesn't the Book of Mormon say that all can know? Edited June 7, 2012 by inquiringmind
Storm Rider Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I don't think we should be in the business of defining how other people may be committed to the Lord. Even Jesus prayed for those who merely believe on the words of those who know. D&C 46 comes to mind. All of it but especially vs 13 and 14: Anything that helps you to know or believe so that you can become a better Saint -- from the point where you are right now -- is valid for testimony. In my opinion. My firm opinion.Hear, hear. It is counter productive to identify a standard for what and how a testimony is. We can have ideals and we can all strive to have our calling of election made sure as the NT states, but none of us should belittle those whose testimonies are young and not yet built on a firm foundation. Let us encourage each other to move forward in faithfulness, in obedience to the Will of God. Let us each commit to be true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not become as the pharisees who endlessly discuss how we might be ever better than our brother and our sister. This is not a good path.
zerinus Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I am in the process of trying to formulate ideas on things your testimony should not be built on. I am hopeful this will be a serious list of things that can get a member in dangerous territory or on unsafe ground if these are the things their testimony is rooted in.My list so far* * *You are putting the cart before the horse, or making the thing stand on its head. I am more interested in what a testimony should be based on, rather than what it should not be based on. 1
why me Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Good looking missionaries. How many young people are baptized because they like the looks of the missionary young man or lady? And then when a transfer occurs, the new member seems to fade away.
zerinus Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Good looking missionaries. How many young people are baptized because they like the looks of the missionary young man or lady? And then when a transfer occurs, the new member seems to fade away.I don't think that anybody joins the Church because of the good looks of the missionaries (or if they did, it would be very rare).
DBMormon Posted June 7, 2012 Author Posted June 7, 2012 You are putting the cart before the horse, or making the thing stand on its head. I am more interested in what a testimony should be based on, rather than what it should not be based on. Sorry but this is my thread, so this is the subject, and I like having this power.....moooowhaaa hhaaa haaaaa
CASteinman Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Doesn't the Book of Mormon say that all can know?I don't think so. I think it says that under certain conditions some people may know, but I don't recall reading that "all can know". Do you have a verse in mind?
CV75 Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 What others... thanks ahead for your time and helpSand... unless it's dusted off certain feet.
BCSpace Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 My list so far1.) a testimony based on church history2.) a testimony based on science or scientific evidence3.) Testimony based on the testimony of others even if that person is a bishop, apostle, prophet. I knew a man who I said he has a testimony and will never leave, I will follow him and I will be safe. He left the church about a year later.4.) Testimony based on the doctrine or theology of a church leader, his talks, or his books. kind of goes with 3 but more knowledge based then spiritual based.5.) Testimony based on what others think of you. this may sound odd but need a way to say my testimony is not based on what others say in being critical of me or how i serve in a calling. in otherwords be not easily offended.6.) Testimony should not be based on doing good = being outwardly blessed. In other words good and bad things happen to good people. Doing what God asks doesn't always equal being belessed like abrahamI suppose it depends on what you mean by "based on". I see any of those singly or in combination as valid things to based one's testimony on as any of them can lead to actual faith. The Church itself is pretty big on #5; they call it fellowshipping though you gave a slightly different example. #2 and #6 are big for me. #4 is fine so long as one acknowledges all the doctrine published by the Church and rejects anything by that particular leader not Church published which conflicts wth what the Church publishes.
DBMormon Posted June 8, 2012 Author Posted June 8, 2012 I suppose it depends on what you mean by "based on". I see any of those singly or in combination as valid things to based one's testimony on as any of them can lead to actual faith. The Church itself is pretty big on #5; they call it fellowshipping though you gave a slightly different example. #2 and #6 are big for me. #4 is fine so long as one acknowledges all the doctrine published by the Church and rejects anything by that particular leader not Church published which conflicts wth what the Church publishes.I liked you alternate opinion. I guess I am trying to make a list of things that should not be your primary surce of testimony because if it is the above things, sooner or later you will be dissapointed. #4 is more about being gullible and accepting every word of a leader as doctrine... which causes major issues if you do that. #6 - just need to recognize there are really good people who have a really hard life, Bad things (and good things) happen to good people.
mbh26 Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 Should a testimony be based on miracles? I've heard contradictory views on this within the church.
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