Table of Contents
- What is a Testimony
- Jesus Christ is my foundation. (Jr)
- Why do You Need a Testimony
- I need my own testimony.
- I can have my own testimony.
- How to Gain a Testimony
- Strengthening a Testimony
- Sharing a Testimony
- I can share my testimony with others.
- Sharing My Testimony Can Bless Others.
- How to Share a Testimony
- What to Share in a Testimony
- I can boldly share my testimony of Jesus Christ.
- I can be a witness that the Book of Mormon is true.
- I Can Defend the Truth by Sharing My Testimony.
- I can tell others about Jesus Christ.
- Maintaining a Testimony
What is a Testimony
Ensign January 2019 “Talking about Testimonies” Teach them what a testimony is in clear, simple terms–for example, “A testimony is what you know or believe is true about the gospel. The Holy Ghost helps us know what is true.” Help them recognize what they already believe with questions like, “How do you think Jesus feels about you?” or “How do you feel when you pray?”
Friend September 2023 “What Is a Testimony?”
Jesus Christ is my foundation. (Jr)
Read 1 Corinthians 3:11 to the children, and explain that Jesus Christ is our foundation. Show the children several pictures of things we can have testimonies of, including a picture of Jesus Christ. Help them arrange the pictures so that the picture of Jesus is on the bottom, like a foundation, and the other pictures “build” on a testimony of Him. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7”)
Create actions for the song “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” (Children’s Songbook, 281), and sing the song with the children. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7”)
Give each child a rock with “Jesus Christ is my foundation” written on it. Let them take the rocks home to remind them what they learned. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7”)
Share pictures that depict some of your favorite stories from the Savior’s life, and ask the children to tell you what is happening in the pictures. Let them share some of their favorite stories about Jesus. Bear your testimony that Jesus Christ is the foundation of your faith. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7”)
The Red Crystal Have the children color the figure to look themselves, and then cut the story pictures out and paste them onto the foundation area.
Why do You Need a Testimony
Ensign June 2017 “Family Home Evening Ideas” To illustrate the importance of gaining your own spiritual light, consider this activity. Turn off the lights and ask family members to draw a picture. Have someone with a flashlight or candle use it only for their own picture. After a few minutes, turn the lights back on. Talk about the difference in being able to complete the task and then discuss the principles found in the article.
I need my own testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning” The children you teach will need their own testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ [if they are to keep their faith strong when adversity comes]. What can you do to inspire them to learn the truth for themselves?
- Share the story of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13; see also “Chapter 47: The Ten Virgins,” in New Testament Stories, 118–20, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children questions like these: How are our testimonies like the lamps? Why is it important to have our own testimonies?
- Discuss what we can do to strengthen our testimonies. For ideas, invite the children to search John 7:17 and Moroni 10:3–5. Invite them to share things they know are true.
- Ask the children to help you label building blocks with truths that form our testimonies (see Gospel Topics, “Testimony,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Let the children use the blocks to build a structure representing a testimony.
Friend November 2018 “Building Blocks of Testimony” Use the four words on the right to fill in the blanks in the four building blocks of testimony.
I can have my own testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 1-5” How did Nephi know that what his father taught was true? Help your children find answers to this question in 1 Nephi 2:16, 19. They might also enjoy writing Nephi’s actions on blocks or other objects and then building something with the objects. This could lead to a conversation about how these actions help us build a testimony.
You could show your children pictures or objects that represent things they might seek a testimony of, such as a copy of the Book of Mormon or a picture of Jesus Christ, a temple, or the living prophet. Invite them to pick one and share their testimonies of that thing. You could also tell your children how you gained your testimony. Why do we need our own testimony?
For the Strength of Youth June 2024 “A Testimony Foundation”
Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020: 1 Nephi 1-7 Bring a closed box with a picture of the Savior inside, and give each child a turn to find out for himself or herself what is inside the box. Tell the children that Nephi wanted to have His own testimony that the Lord had commanded his family to leave Jerusalem. Ask the children to listen for what Nephi did to gain his own testimony as you read 1 Nephi 2:16. Testify that just as we each had to open the box to find out what was inside, we all need to ask God to gain our own testimony.
Friend May 2024 “Conference Notes”
Friend November 2024 “Conference Notes”
How to Gain a Testimony
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moro. 10:4).
Friend April 2020 “What’s on Your Mind” A child asks how they can know if they have a testimony because he/she hadn’t gotten any strong answers while praying. The Friend responds: “Instead of waiting for your testimony to come in one big moment, like flipping on a light switch, think of it more like a sunrise. Your testimony will grow brighter little by little as you keep learning, praying, and making good choices.” Link also includes a fill-in the-blank activity about how to get a testimony.
Friend September 1988 “How Can I Gain a Testimony”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13”
Display different kinds of soil (or pictures of soil) as you summarize Matthew 13:3–8. Give each child a seed, and ask what they could do to help the seeds grow. Explain that our testimonies are like seeds. How do we help our testimony “seeds” grow?
Friend January 2019 “Testimony Plants”
- A testimony is what you believe is true, like “God loves me” or “Families are forever.”
- Like plants, everyone’s testimonies grow at different speeds. Heavenly Father is happy when your knowledge grows even a little.
- Plants need water and sunlight to grow. Scriptures, prayer, and church are like water and light for your testimony.
- Roots make plants strong. You can keep your testimony strong by remembering Heavenly Father and Jesus every day!
For the Strength of Youth June 2024 “A Testimony Is Like …” A Seed: When you willingly plant a seed, or the word of God, in your heart, you can see it grow and produce good fruit. In other words, sometimes a testimony grows best when you’re willing to try living the way God has asked, even if you only have the tiniest desire to believe. Then God can show you the fruits, or blessings, that come when you follow Him. Your testimony will grow as you continue to nourish it. (See Alma 32:28–43.) Have I noticed any good fruits that have come from nourishing my testimony?
A Stone Wall: When a person builds a wall out of stones, not every stone is the same size or shape. Sometimes a stone might not fit yet, but that doesn’t mean you should get rid of it! Similarly, there might be things about the gospel that you don’t understand yet. Keep building your testimony one stone at a time, and eventually, it will be strong for you. What stones can I be patient with as I build my testimony wall?
Oil in a Lamp: In the parable of the ten virgins, five women didn’t have their own oil. They couldn’t borrow any from others once it was time to meet the bridegroom, who represents Jesus Christ. Those who had their own oil were able to follow the bridegroom. When it comes to testimonies, at some point, you need your own! You can fill your testimony drop by drop, like oil in a lamp. Then when big decisions come, your testimony can light the way for you. (See Matthew 25:1–13.) What am I doing to increase my testimony drop by drop? What could I start doing?
A testimony of Jesus Christ comes through revelation.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9” How might Peter’s testimony in Matthew 16:13–17 help the children as they build their testimonies?
- Ask the children what they would say if someone asked them, “Who is Jesus?” Invite the children to read Matthew 16:13–17 to find out how Peter answered that question. How did he gain his testimony of Jesus? What can we do to strengthen our testimonies?
New Testament Scripture Stories “Peter Testifies of Jesus”
For the Strength of Youth April 2023 “Caesarea Philippi” Learn about the place where the Savior asked, “Whom say ye that I am?”
The backdrop for this event in the scriptures was both beautiful and instructive:
- In biblical times, the spring at Caesarea Philippi seemed to burst right out of the mountain, flowing out of a cave.
- Jesus Christ said that He can give us “living water,” which is “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:11, 14).
- Jesus Christ is the “source [of] a remission of [our] sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).
- Jesus Christ is the source of all priesthood authority and priesthood keys on earth (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:2–4).
- Revelation from God is a pure source of a testimony of Jesus Christ.
Latter Day Kids “What is a Testimony” Lesson ideas
Friend January 2013 “How can I get a testimony?”
“Faith in Jesus Christ” (August 2019 Friend)
Make a path through your home that includes objects representing how you show faith in Jesus Christ.
(Or you could have pictures or objects of ways you can show your faith. Have the children choose one and tell how it shows their trust in God. Some additional ideas: a picture of people going to church, picture of a child praying, a picture of the ten commandments or children being kind and obeying the commandments.
- Help the children compare the way we know spiritual truths with the ways we know other truths. For example, how do we know how tall a person is or what the weather is like? How do we know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Tell the children how the Holy Ghost has testified to you of the Savior.
Liahona April 2023 “Preparation and Progression” Come, Follow Me Family Fun: A Sense of Revelation
Peter saw and heard the Savior’s teachings. However, he received his testimony of Christ through revelation rather than through his physical senses—his “flesh and blood” (see Matthew 16:13–17).
Gather a few objects (see ideas below). Take turns being blindfolded. Have each person use their other four senses to guess what the object is.
Ideas:
- Smell a flower
- Taste a treat
- Listen to a song
- Touch a soft sweater
Discussion: Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15 and 8:2–3. How can we learn truth through the spiritual sense of revelation rather than only relying on our physical senses? Note that everyone receives a testimony through the Holy Ghost but that some feel that influence differently than others. How can personal revelation through the Holy Ghost deepen our testimonies of Christ?
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading about Jesus in the scriptures
Friend June 2020 A testimony is a good feeling from the Holy Ghost telling you that something is true.
- Bear your testimony of Jesus Christ, and challenge the children to gain or strengthen their own testimonies of Him.
Listen for the Holy Ghost Testifying of Truth
Friend June 2020 A testimony is a good feeling from the Holy Ghost telling you that something is true.
God will reveal truth to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” How could you help your children understand what Nephi taught in 1 Nephi 10:19? Perhaps you could fold a picture of the Savior or another special object inside a blanket and invite your children to unfold it. As you read 1 Nephi 10:19, they could raise their hands when they hear the words “unfolded” and “Holy Ghost.” Then you could share an experience when the Holy Ghost helped you discover truth.
“Fiction or Nonfiction?” (January 2012 Friend) When Jennifer learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction she wondered about the Book of Mormon. She spent a lot of time reading it but didn’t know how she would ever know it was true. During Sacrament she said a prayer. Then she remembered the warm, happy feelings she had when she was baptized. She realized she felt the same way when she thought of the Prophet Joseph Smithy and when she read the Book of Mormon. She knew that Heavenly Father was telling her through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was true.
Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano seeks to gain a testimony for himself. He reads the Book of Mormon and then prays to know if it is true. He didn’t know how the Holy Ghost would visit him because he was just a boy. Then he remembered a story the missionaries told him about a boy his age learning that he was to be the future keeper of the gold plates. He looked up the story in the scriptures and found out that it was Mormon. He felt a peaceful feeling spread through him and he knew that the Book of Mormon was true.
Friend January 2024 “My Own Testimony” Chloe gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon when she felt the Holy Ghost witness it was true while reading the Book of Mormon.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Invite the children to talk about ways they can find answers to a question. Encourage the children to read 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1. What would Nephi say if someone asked him how to find answers to a question about the gospel? How does God teach us through the Holy Ghost? (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).
Friend May 2018 “How You Can Know What’s True” What do you do when you feel an urgent need to know or understand something?
“A Testimony of the Church” (July 2015 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches of how we can gain a testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Have your children ever felt that the Holy Ghost helped them know that something was true? Let them share their experience. What would we say to a friend who thinks that they can’t receive answers through the Holy Ghost? What do we find in 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 that could help that friend? What could they share from 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 to help that friend?
- Friend March 2020 “How Does Heavenly Father Speak to Us?”
Sing a song with the children about seeking truth, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Show pictures that illustrate words in the song to help the children remember how the Holy Ghost teaches us.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
PSALM 46 God is our refuge and strength—He dwells in His city, does marvelous things, and says, Be still and know that I am God.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46” Taking time to be reverent and still, despite the busyness around us, can help us build our testimonies that God lives.
- Help the children memorize the first line from Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Talk with them about what it might mean to “be still,” both physically and mentally. Share with the children an experience in which being “still” strengthened your testimony of Heavenly Father. Ask the children to share any experiences they have had. Why is being still an important way to know that God lives?
Friend February 2022 “I Can Trust God” Coloring page
- Invite the children to review with you what they do during a typical day. Help them think of moments during their day when they could try to “be still” and feel close to Heavenly Father. Encourage them to set a goal to use such moments during the coming week to strengthen their testimony of Heavenly Father.
Friend August 2016 “The Little Bottle of Silence” Gage’s grandfather gives him a empty bottle of “silence” at his baptism to remind Gage that quietness helps you hear the Holy Ghost. He feels the Holy Ghost comforting him during a sad time when he seeks quiet time.
You might do something together that requires family members to “be still.” How can being still help us come to know God? What opportunities do we have to be still and come to know God? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 ” Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46″
- Invite the children to list some things we can do to know for ourselves that Heavenly Father is real and that He loves us. Invite them to choose something from the list that they want to do.
Friend January 2013 “How can I get a testimony?”
Friend June 2015 Story included
Strengthening a Testimony
Friend June 2020 “Testimony and the Book of Mormon” President Eyring tells how reading the Book of Mormon helps strengthen his testimony.
For the Strength of Youth June 2024 “A Testimony Is Like …” A Pet: If you don’t feed and care for an animal that needs you, it might get hungry, sick, and weak. If you don’t feed your testimony with spiritual experiences and attention, it might get weaker too. What spiritual things can I “feed” my testimony to keep it strong?
A House: Where you build your house matters. The same is true for your testimony. If you build it on a sandy foundation, it might not last very long in bad weather. But if you build it on a rock, or Jesus Christ, your house can stand firm even in the wildest storms. (See Matthew 7:24–27; Helaman 5:12.) What truths am I building my testimony on?
My testimony of Jesus Christ grows when I read the scriptures, pray, and fast.
Mosiah’s sons grew strong in the gospel and became mighty missionaries because they diligently studied the scriptures, prayed, and fasted.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 17-22”
- How can the examples of Mosiah’s sons help your children build their testimonies of Jesus Christ? You could help your children find what the sons of Mosiah did to build their spiritual strength in Alma 17:2–3. Then they could draw pictures or find objects that represent these things. Help them plan what they will do to strengthen their testimonies of the Savior.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Bring to class items that represent scriptures, prayer, and fasting, such as a set of scriptures, a picture of someone praying, and a picture of food, and explain what each item represents. Read Alma 17:1–4, and ask the children how these things helped the sons of Mosiah. How does reading the scriptures, praying, and fasting help us come closer to Heavenly Father?
Use the topics index of the Children’s Songbook to help the children find songs about scripture study and prayer. Sing some of these songs together, and help the children identify what the songs teach about
( Alma 17:1–2). What do you learn from the sons of Mosiah about how to keep your faith in the gospel and commitment to it strong?
(Alma 17:3). How did the spiritual preparation of the sons of Mosiah affect their work with the Lamanites?
Sharing a Testimony
I can share my testimony with others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Reviewing Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa can help the children learn how to share what they know is true.
Bring a paper crown to class and let a child wear it and pretend to be King Agrippa. Invite another child to stand before the king to represent Paul as you summarize Paul’s testimony and the reaction of King Agrippa, found in Acts 26:1–29 (see “Chapter 63: Paul Finishes His Mission,” in New Testament Stories, 162–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that we can share our testimonies with others, as Paul did.
- Paint the World Super Painting “Prince Crown Printable Template” Add strips of paper around the base of the crown so it can be worn.
- Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others, so she shared her testimony with her friend that going to church and learning about Jesus makes her feel happy. Her friend then went to church and told Sabrina that it did make her feel happy.
Ask the children to listen while you sing or read a song about testimony, such as “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5). Invite the children to raise their hands when they hear something they know is true. You may want to sing the song several times; invite the children to join you once they’re familiar with the words. Help them practice sharing their testimonies of things they know are true.
Use this week’s activity page to help the children think about something they could say when they share their testimonies (see the Articles of Faith for more ideas). Invite them to share their testimonies with someone in their family.
- “Gunnar’s Testimony” (May 2000 Friend)
Gunnar learns a testimony is something you believe and feel inside.
- “Time for family home evening!” Dad called.
- Gunnar came running. He loved home evenings. Climbing up on the sofa, he snuggled between Ryan and Mom.
- After the opening song and prayer, Dad stood up. “We’re going to have a special home evening,” he said. “Tonight we are going to have a testimony meeting.”
- Testimony? Gunnar couldn’t remember his Primary teacher ever talking about a testimony in nursery. “What’s a testimony, Daddy?” he asked.
- Dad smiled at Gunnar. “A testimony is what you believe about Heavenly Father and Jesus and the Church. It’s what you feel inside about them,” Dad said. “And you want to share your testimony because it means so much to you.”
- “Oh.”
- Then Dad said, “I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives. And He loves each one of us.”
- Emily was next. “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.”
- “I’m glad that we have prophets,” said Ryan. “I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet.”
- Mom said, “I’m grateful that your father and I were married in the temple, so we can be a family forever.” She reached into her pocket for a tissue to wipe her eyes.
- Everyone in the family had shared a testimony except Gunnar.
- A testimony is something I believe. Something I feel inside, Gunnar thought. Now he knew what he could say. He scooted off the sofa, stood straight and tall, and said, “I am a child of God.” Then he sat down. Mom gave him a little squeeze, and she had to get out that tissue again.
- Gunnar had a happy feeling inside.
Sharing My Testimony Can Bless Others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 18–20” Jethro rejoiced when Moses shared what the Lord had done for the children of Israel. This story can inspire the children you teach to share with others what they know is true.
- Read to the children the following words from Exodus 18:8: “And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done.” Ask the children if they remember what the Lord did to help the children of Israel escape from Egypt. (To help them remember, show pictures or activity pages from previous lessons). What things has the Lord done to help us? Help the children know that like Moses, we can tell other people about the great things the Lord has done for us.
What effect did Moses’s testimony of God’s deliverance have on Jethro? What great things has the Lord done for our family? Who can we share our experiences with? How can we preserve those experiences for future generations? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 18-20”
- Primary class can be a great place for children to practice sharing a simple testimony. Share your testimony with them, and help them share with each other gospel truths that they believe.
Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others, so she shared her testimony with her friend that going to church and learning about Jesus makes her feel happy. Her friend then went to church and told Sabrina that it did make her feel happy.
Friend August 2015 – Elder Cook’s brother shares his testimony with him. After that he wanted his own witness from the Holy Ghost.
How to Share a Testimony
Friend September 1999 “We Can Testify of Jesus Christ and His Gospel” Lesson ideas about testimonies and sharing them.
We bear testimony not only in words but in the way we act—even in the way we dress. Write out a role-play situation for each class to help the children see that there are many times when they can share their testimonies. Give the classes a few minutes to prepare their role plays; then present them. Possible situations:
- You are playing with a group of friends. Two of you are wearing CTR rings. One of the other children asks what the letters mean.
- You have a friend who is ill or injured, and you visit her. She is very discouraged. What can you say to help her understand that Heavenly Father loves her and will bless her?
- Two of your friends at school are talking about a child who is new in your class. They think that he dresses strangely, and they don’t want to play with him. You think that you should follow what Jesus taught and be a friend. What can you say to them? How can you include him?
- Your family listened to a talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley. He said that every member of the Church needs a friend, a responsibility, and nurture (spiritual nourishment) with the good word of God. A family who lives not too far from you has just joined the Church. They have children your age. As you ride home in the car, you start to discuss what you might do for this family, since you have a testimony that President Hinckley is a prophet.
- Your class has been asked to give a Sharing Time presentation about prayer. Have you or has someone in your family had an experience in which your prayers were answered? Ask if two or three class members would like to briefly share their experiences, their testimonies that prayers are answered.
- You have a friend who has a serious problem. You know that reading the scriptures would help her. What could you tell her?
- A repairman comes to your house and sees a Book of Mormon sitting on the table. He asks what it is about. What would you tell him?
In conclusion, thank the children and remind them that we can share our testimonies in testimony meeting, when we give talks, when we sing, when we interact with our friends, whenever we are prompted to by the Spirit, and by our examples.
Ensign August 2019 “Family Study Fun: Masterpiece Testimony Theater” Paul bore bold testimony, even in the face of danger. (Acts 22:1–21; 26:1–29) an everyday scenario for each family member to role-play bearing testimony. Emphasize that testimonies in conversation need not end in “amen” or include every element of a typical testimony. (Example: A coworker asks why we don’t drink alcohol.) Act out each scenario, being as sincere and authentic as possible. Discussion: What was easy and difficult about the role-play? What motivated Paul to bear such powerful testimony? How can we build our courage to testify?
Friend December 2016 “Show & Tell” A nine year old boy said, “One fast Sunday I felt something say, “Go bear your testimony!” And right when that feeling hit me, I knew it was the Holy Ghost. And instead of having a nervous feeling, I felt courage! And so bearing my testimony wasn’t so bad!”
Friend February 2022 “Jesus Shared the Truth” Jesus told the people of his home town that he was the Savior. They didn’t believe him and were angry, but he always shared the truth.
What to Share in a Testimony
I can boldly share my testimony of Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Paul’s courage in sharing his testimony can help the children be bold when sharing their testimonies.
Select verses from Acts 26 to read with the children to help them understand what Paul told King Agrippa about his experiences (such as verses 9–16) and what he taught about Jesus Christ (such as verses 18, 23). You might also show a portion of the video “Paul: A Chosen Vessel” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Why might it have been scary for Paul to share these things before the king? Invite the children to list some gospel principles they know to be true. Ask them to think of someone they know who needs to hear their testimony of these truths.
- Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” When Paul delivered the powerful testimonies recorded in Acts 22 and 26, he was being held prisoner by Roman soldiers. The people he spoke to had the power to condemn him to death. Yet he chose to boldly bear witness of Jesus Christ and “the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) he had received. What inspires you about his words? Consider the opportunities you have to share your testimony. For example, do your friends know how you feel about Jesus Christ? Or when was the last time you told your family how you gained your testimony of the gospel?
Invite the children to use this week’s activity page to write something they might say when they share their testimonies.
- Friend July 2015 See link for lesson ideas too
I can be a witness that the Book of Mormon is true.
Doctrine and Covenants 5:1–7, 11, 16, 23–24
Martin Harris was promised that he could be one of the witnesses of the gold plates if he was faithful [and humbled himself]. We won’t see the plates like Martin did, but we can receive a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon.
- Write questions like the following on the board, and help the children find answers in Doctrine and Covenants 5:1–3, 7, 11: What did Martin Harris desire to know? Who could Joseph Smith show the gold plates to? Why would seeing the plates likely not be enough to convince someone that the Book of Mormon is true?
- Ask the children what a witness is and why a witness is important.
- What did Martin Harris need to do to be a witness of the gold plates? (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:23–24).
- Even though we haven’t seen the plates, what can we do to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon? (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:16; Moroni 10:3–5).
I Can Defend the Truth by Sharing My Testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 71–75”
The Lord does not expect children to respond to critics of the Church as He called Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to do. But you can help the children understand that their simple testimony of the truth can have a powerful effect on others.
- Use the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 71 to teach the children about the circumstances that inspired section 71. Read Doctrine and Covenants 71:1 with the children, and help them find what the Lord wanted Joseph and Sidney to do about the “unfriendly feelings” people had toward the Church. What did He say they would be given to help them? How can we be like Joseph and Sidney?
- Invite the children to practice in pairs how to share with others what they know about the Church. For example, they can share a simple testimony or share one of the Articles of Faith.
I can tell others about Jesus Christ.
PSALM 71 David praises God with thanksgiving—Who is like unto the Lord!
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 The faith-filled words of a child have unique power to touch hearts. Give the children confidence that their testimony of Jesus Christ can help others.
- Read to the children Psalm 71:8, and draw a large mouth on the board. Ask them to help you “fill” the mouth with things we can tell others about Jesus Christ.
Friend January 2019 “Something Special to Share” Diego wants to take something special to share for Show and Tell. He decides to take a picture of Jesus and tell them that Jesus loves everyone.
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- Pass around a picture of Jesus Christ. Ask the children to take turns holding the picture and saying one thing they know about Him. What has He done for us? (Pictures in the Gospel Art Book could provide some ideas.)
Friend April 2019 “God’s Great Gift”
Maintaining a Testimony
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families “Hebrews 1-6”
Can you think of an object lesson to help your family understand what it means to keep a firm hold on the gospel truths “which we have heard”? You might illustrate this with an object that is hard to hold onto. (Maybe an oily object) How are our efforts to maintain our testimony like catching and holding this object? How can we make sure “the things which we have heard” do not “slip” away from us? (verse 1).
Come Follow Me 2019 – Lesson Plans for young kids “Download #40”
Not Letting Truths Slip from Us Penny Game- Read/discuss/summarize Hebrews 2:1. How can we give more
“earnest heed to the things which we have heard” and make sure we don’t let them “slip” away from us?
Remind them that we need to CONTINUALLY read scriptures, pray, listen at church, etc.
Set out a pile of pennies in a cup. Tell them that these represent gospel truths that are valuable to us.
Family members take turns naming one specific thing they’ve learned about Jesus and His gospel or one
thing they can do to deepen their faith. For each thing they can think of, they can grab another penny.
Continue until pennies are gone or nobody can think of anything else.
Now that they have these pennies, would they want to take good care of them so they don’t get lost?
Have them show you how they could keep a firm hold on these pennies in their hands so they don’t slip
away.
Take turns letting family members try to steal pennies away from each other.
Discuss what would happen if we lost our “firm holds” on the pennies (we’d lose them).
Compare this to the things we learn about Jesus and His gospel. What can we do to keep a “firm hold”
on the valuable truths we’ve learned? Why is it important to not lose our testimonies of Jesus? How can
our testimony help us in life? How does Satan try to take our testimonies away from us?
Share and discuss the following quote from President Russell M. Nelson:
“Because the evil one is ever at work, our vigilance cannot be relaxed – not even for a moment…Night
and day, at home or away, we must shun sin and ‘hold fast that which is good’.”
Doubts and Questions
Friend June 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Paulo has lots of questions and doesn’t think his good feelings about the gospel are enough. Margo says, “We don’t have to know everything. And we can ask Heavenly Father our questions.” She also think their mother and father can help answer some of his questions as well.
Friend June 2022 “The Video Question” At an internet cafe Josué and his friend watch what they think is a video about the church, but instead it is a negative video about the church. Josué had prayed to know that the Church was true and had felt good about it. He always felt peaceful when he went to church, but he didn’t know what to think about what he’d heard in the video. His didn’t have anyone to talk to about it, so he talked to his friends dad. He had an answer to all of Josué’s questions! He also explained how to get answers for himself about the church such as searching the scriptures, asking Heavenly Father, etc.
Friend June 2022 “What’s on Your Mind?” A child sends a letter to the Friend and asks, “I have some questions about the Church that are really bothering me. What should I do?” The Friend responds by saying “There’s nothing wrong with having questions. That’s part of how we learn, grow, and gain a testimony. But it’s important to look for answers in places you can trust.” They also list some ways to get some answers.
For the Strength of Youth June 2024 “A Testimony Is Like …” A Puzzle: We all have the same pieces of gospel truths to work with, but the order in which each person puts things together may be different. Don’t throw away a piece just because you can’t see how it connects right now. Be patient as God gradually helps you see the big picture. What does my testimony picture look like right now?
A Bucket: Drop by drop, the spiritual experiences you have fill it up. But be careful! Sometimes you don’t even recognize that your buckets are slowly filling up. If you get impatient and dump out your buckets entirely because you feel you don’t have a testimony of one thing, you’re ignoring the experiences that are slowly helping your testimony to grow. Let your testimony bucket fill up. What do I already believe in that I shouldn’t throw away?
Plants in a Garden: If one plant in a garden is struggling, that doesn’t mean the whole garden is unhealthy. So if one part of your testimony is stronger than another, that’s OK! Keep tending to the plants that are healthy and flourishing, and when you’re ready, you can focus on the ones that need more help too. Which parts of my testimony are strong and flourishing? Which parts can I give love and attention to when I’m ready?
