“She told me that the only thing that kept her from
losing her testimony during that period was that . . .”
What is “losing testimony”? Losing faith, or willful rejection? Not familiar with the jargon.
What is “losing testimony”? Losing faith, or willful rejection? Not familiar with the jargon.
THE TESTIMONY
The "testimony" is a Mormon's greatest asset. They are taught to look one straight in the eye without wavering, and declare with Conviction: "I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith is a prophet; that Jesus is the Christ, that the Book of Mormon is true; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth, and President Gordon B. Hinkley is a prophet, seer and revelator" . . . all in one breath.(3)
One should never underestimate the power of a verbalized testimony. Mormons use it in two situations--the first, as a rite of passage.
Members are expected to stand up in "testimony meeting" and declare they know their beliefs are true. Using the phrase, "I know" is supposed to be the sign the Holy Ghost has given them this special revelation.
The second, witnessing. When Mormons are backed into a corner by those well versed in the Bible, they are taught that their testimony is the only weapon Christians and others are helpless to fight against. Why? Experience has taught them that Christians are at a loss when confronted with it, and do not have a comparable one to declare back.
THE CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY
So, how can Christians neutralize the Mormon's personal testimony? Simply by doing the same.
It can be a statement about any principle of the Gospel. Christians can declare with conviction that they know Jesus is the Savior of the world; tell specific instances when God answered their prayers;(4) testify that they know, not only by the inner witness of the Holy Ghost, but by the testimony of God's Word, that He lives; and that Jesus has changed their life. It is a great tool. It not only influences potential converts to Christ, but will also disarm Mormon missionaries.(5)
Here is a sample Christian testimony, especially worded to be comparable to the Mormon's:
"I KNOW, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is the Christ and Savior of the world. That He died for my sins and was resurrected. I KNOW that I am saved by grace and not by works, and will inherit heaven upon that principle. I also KNOW that God hears and answers prayer. I KNOW all this not only by the feeling I have from the inner witness of the Holy Ghost,* but by the reliability of God's Word, the Bible, which declares it to be so. And, I also KNOW that because of my relationship with Christ, Jesus has changed my life and continues to bless me!"