CV75 Posted March 8, 2013 Posted March 8, 2013 I heard a very interesting testimony this last fast Sunday. A young boy went up to bear his testimony and started off with the usual script saying, "I like to bear my testimony I know this church is true." And then to my utter suprise and amazement he said something like, "And I know other good churches around the world are true too."This also happened to be the same day the lesson on the "The only true and living church" was taught in Sunday school.Does anybody here not agree with this boy's testimony?It does not reflect the testimony I have, but I would not say that I disagree with his testimony. I'm not sure if I would say "Amen" to such a testimony. But I don’t think I can disagree with someone when he says that he tastes this or that, because obviously he does taste something that I do not.
Stargazer Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 Personally I think testimony meeting would improve if we didn't expect everyone's testimony to measure up to our standards and just accepted them as they are and let them grow at their own pace.AND, listen to the Spirit as they testify so that we can grow from what they know.
Stargazer Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 Perhaps I should explain my thinking.First of all I want you to know that I am one of the fortunate ones - I have received a witness from the Spirit of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of the mission of Joseph Smith, and of the truthfulness of the church. This happened when I was a young missionary in Scotland more than 30 years ago.However, that does not mean I know the church is true. What is does mean is that I know the Spirit told me it was true. There is a difference. Could the Spirit have lied to me? Not very likely at all, but I have to concede that it is, however unlikely, theoretically a possibility. Do I believe the Spirit would lie to me?............No I do not. Therefore, my testimony is based on a belief. Ultimately, when it is stripped down to it's bare bones it is obvious that our testimonies are based on what we believe about our experience, or how we interpret what we believe about our experience, rather than an absolute knowledge.A far more accurate thing to say would be "because of my experiences, I am convinced of the truthfulness of the church" etc.Well, that's better. I was going to go postal on you, but now, hold fast the dogs of war! Curiosity: would you consider someone who had had a divine manifestation of the Savior (as per Brother of Jared) able to say "I know"?
Alan Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 Well, that's better. I was going to go postal on you, but now, hold fast the dogs of war! Curiosity: would you consider someone who had had a divine manifestation of the Savior (as per Brother of Jared) able to say "I know"?Yes, I think I would.
blackstrap Posted March 11, 2013 Posted March 11, 2013 It is interesting to think about the ways we say that we know something." I know , as sure as I'm standing here " is common" I know, as sure as there is the sun in the sky " and others.We 'know' based on our senses, and yet we,who have lived long enough , know that our senses can be deceived. Magicians the world over rely on this. The scriptures give the picture of the sons of perdition who have been so hardened to truth that they are capable of looking at the noonday sun and declaring it night.I used to think that idea was impossible,but have now lived long enough to have met people who come close to fitting that description.I can say that I "know " that my son loves me. Should I say only that I believe so?
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