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Young Women Manual 2

Strengthening Testimony through Obedience

"Lesson 27: Strengthening Testimony through Obedience," Young Women Manual 2, 101

OBJECTIVE

Each young woman will understand how obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel can increase her testimony.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Teacher presentation

Explain that when the Lord created the earth, he provided for the physical well-being of his children. He created an element necessary to the sustaining of life-water.

Point out that water is constantly going through a cycle. As the sun shines on the oceans, lakes, and rivers, water evaporates. Then it falls to earth again as rain or snow. This rain or snow in turn evaporates, and the cycle begins again.

Optional poster

If you made a poster showing this cycle, display it, or draw the cycle on the chalkboard.

PrecipitationEvaporation

Teacher presentation

Explain that the Lord also provided for the spiritual well-being of his children. He gave them laws to help them gain eternal life. As they are obedient to his laws, they can gain a knowledge and a testimony of the truth.

Point out that a cycle operates as we obey these laws. When we obey, we gain knowledge and testimony. This testimony in turn increases our obedience, which brings greater knowledge and testimony. This cycle continues on and on, sustaining our spirits.

Optional poster

Display the poster you made to show the cycle of obedience and testimony, or draw this cycle on the chalkboard.

Point out that just as the water cycle supplies a physical need, the cycle of obedience and testimony fills a spiritual need.

Testimonies Are Obtained through Obedience

Chalkboard discussion and activity

Distribute the handouts you have prepared and the pencils. Ask the young women, "What is a testimony?" Write their answers on the chalkboard in the first column (see the sample chalkboard on the last page of the lesson). Instruct the young women to write the answers under the first heading on their papers.

Conclude the discussion by having one of the young women read the following definition: "Testimony ... is an abiding, living, moving conviction of the truths revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ" (Marion G. Romney, "How to Gain a Testimony," New Era, May 1976, p. 8; italics added).

At the bottom of the list of responses, write the summarizing statement, "Conviction of the truths of the gospel." Have the young women write the same statement on their papers.

After establishing what a testimony is, ask the young women, "How can we obtain a testimony?" Write their answers in the second column on the chalkboard, and have them write the same answers on their papers under the second heading. Explain that one of the elements vital to obtaining a testimony is obedience. Point out that a testimony is available to anyone who strongly desires it and is willing to obey the commandments.

Scripture

Have the class members find and mark John 7:17.

Ask the young women to explain the meaning of the scripture. Emphasize that obedience is doing the Lord's will. This obedience is essential if we are to know the truth of the gospel. Obedience is the basis of testimony.

Quotations

The following quotations from Church leaders reinforce the important link between obedience and testimony. Ask members of the class to read them aloud and discuss them.

Refer to the chalkboard list of ideas on how to obtain a testimony. At the bottom of the list, write the second summarizing statement, "Obedience to the laws of God." Have the young women write this statement on their papers.

Testimonies Are Weakened through Disobedience

Chalkboard discussion

Explain that having a testimony now does not ensure that we will always have one. Because a testimony can either grow or diminish, we need to guard against losing it.

Ask the young women, "How can a testimony be lost?" List their ideas on the chalkboard under the third heading. Ask them to make a similar list under the third heading on their papers. Point out that we can lose our testimonies when we cease to obey the commandments of God. Just as our testimonies grow when we keep the commandments, they become weak when we disobey.

Quotations

Ask class members to read the following quotations:

At the end of the third list, write the third summarizing statement, "Disobedience to the laws of God." Ask the young women to add the statement to their lists.

We Must Obey the Commandments to Strengthen Our Testimonies

Chalkboard discussion and activity

Ask the young women, "What should we do to strengthen our testimonies?" List their ideas on the chalkboard in the last column, and ask them to write the ideas on their papers. The list could be long and varied. Encourage the young women to suggest many specific ways to be obedient daily, individually or with friends and family.

Scripture discussion

Ask the young women to turn to Matthew 22:37-40. Read the scripture together, and discuss how the suggestions listed in the last column help fulfill these two great commandments. Then discuss additional ways in which the young women could strengthen their testimonies by being obedient to these two great commandments.

If time permits, relate the following examples of how some young people strengthened their testimonies and felt the joy of doing the Lord's will:

Quotations

Elder Robert L. Simpson, who reported these experiences, concluded: "There are hundreds of such examples all over the Church as young people in every part of the world gain a sweet confirmation of testimony by the gift of the Spirit as they do his will. Just learning about it is not enough. You've got to get in on the action yourself" ("How to Gain and Hold onto Your Testimony," New Era, Mar. 1972, p. 6).

At the end of the list in the fourth column, write the fourth summarizing statement, "Obedience strengthens testimony." Have the young women write it on their papers.

Sample chalkboard

What is a testimony?

1.
2.
3.
4.
Conviction of the truths of the gospel
How can we obtain it?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Obedience to the laws of God
How can it be lost?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Disobedience to the laws of God
What should we do?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Obedience strengthens testimony

 

Conclusion

Quotation

Read the following statement: "Every Latter-day Saint must gain a firm testimony for himself-a personal knowledge that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God, that Joseph Smith is the prophet through whom the gospel has been restored, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is '... the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. ...' (D&C 1:30.)

"Anyone can acquire this testimony by following the established procedure by which the Lord gives a testimony. There are no shortcuts. A desire to know is imperative. To learn the doctrine is essential. To do his will will sanctify that teaching in your heart" (Robert L. Simpson, "How to Gain and Hold onto Your Testimony," p. 6).

Lesson Applications

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