I found a section on lds.org called Gospel Topics. Here is what the introduction of that section says:
"Each Gospel Topic includes a brief overview sharing what Latter-day Saints believe about the topic, links to resources that will help you learn more about the topic, and ideas to help you teach it to others. Learn more about the role of the Holy Ghost in your pursuit of truth and how to become a more self-reliant gospel learner."
I clicked on Testimony and came to an amazing page of basic information, links to related scriptures, talks, lessons, etc. Curious - I decided to see what equivalent there might be in the Gospel Library app on my phone. While the mobile app doesn't provide the same presentation of the information - my search for testimony within the app still produced a large list of potential resources for me to review.
Another very nice feature of lds.org is the Notes. If you are signed into lds.org while reading and studying, you can make notes and create tags and links - your own personal annotation system. These notes will sync between what you do on lds.org and the Gospel Library app on your mobile device. That is very helpful! It's like having a personal copy of all those scriptures, books, manuals etc. that you are able to highlight and annotate AND carry with you where ever you take your mobile device or can log into lds.org. Truly we are blessed through this technology to have the words of the Lord and His prophets and apostles, the teachings of general Church leadership, the uplifting messages of the publications, etc. always within our reach.
If I had written a blog post about "What is a testimony?" or "What does bearing testimony mean?" - I had at my fingertips a multitude of useful and relevant resources to guide me. My post would have included these paragraphs from the Gospel Topics page for Testimony:
"A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel.
Testimony grows gradually through experiences. No one receives a complete testimony all at once. It grows as individuals show willingness to serve in the Church and to study, pray, and learn. It increases as individuals obey God’s commandments. Testimony grows as it is shared.
Part of a testimony’s development comes when it is shared. In the Church testimony is shared often in fast and testimony meetings, in Church classes, and in conversations with family members and friends."
Today is Fast Sunday and with it we have the opportunity to bear our testimonies in our Sacrament Meetings. Let me end this post with mine.
We have a Father in Heaven who knows us individually and loves us. He knew that as we came into this life, we would make mistakes, we would fall short, we would sin. Because of His great love for us, He provided a plan of salvation. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that it is through Him, the Father's plan of salvation is made possible. I know that as I daily strive to keep the commandments, to live the Gospel, to repent and apply the healing power of Christ's atonement - that I am blessed. How grateful I am to know that my prayers are heard by a loving Father in Heaven, who along with my Savior is waiting to help me succeed and return to live with them again. I bear witness of their love and of the peace that comes through following the principles of the Gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
-Lorie Pierce
