We can share the gospel with greater confidence when we recognize the power of our testimonies.
Your testimony is a weapon, a defense, and a refuge. And it’s powerful. When I was a missionary in southern Argentina, my mission president taught an important truth from a scripture I now hold very dear: “And they overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). From this scripture I learned the essential truth that through Jesus Christ’s Atonement and our testimonies, Satan will be defeated.
I didn’t always find it easy to testify of truth, but testifying of Christ became much easier when I understood the power and importance of an individual’s testimony. Elder Kevin G. Brown’s general conference talk, “The Eternal Gift of Testimony,” emphasizes that we can choose to have a testimony and then use it to help others.
When Elder Brown says, “I cannot see a better way to use my agency than in defense of my testimony,” something within me ignites and I remember Revelation 12:11. You and I can defend our testimonies, thereby defending Christ’s gospel and creating a refuge by gathering Israel and building Zion. And no one needs to defend alone, because it is not just our testimonies that will win the day against Satan, but also “the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11).
We can choose to be a part of the body of Christ. Sometimes we act as his hands or his feet to bless others. Elder Brown states that our testimony will be “will be powerful when [we] share it and use it to testify,” and it will be a source of joy for us when we see our testimony strengthening the testimony of others. At other times, we can be Christ’s cheek—the same cheek that was smitten at times; we have to understand it won’t be easy for us either.
But we can remember, we already know who is going to win. And that’s why it’s important for each of us to recognize the power of our testimonies to overcome Satan’s counterfeits and lies. With the power of our testimonies that leads us to strengthen others through our words and kindness, we can defend Christ and help him create his refuge, that all may know whose sheep we are as we help bring the fold home.
Read or watch Elder Kevin G. Brown’s article, “The Eternal Gift of Testimony,” to learn more about the power of testimony.
Source: General Conference
—Katrina Rudd, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY BARBARA OLSEN
Find more insights
Take a look at President Russell M. Nelson’s message “Join the Battalion, Help Gather Israel” from a worldwide youth devotional for more about the gathering of Israel.
Check out the general conference talk “Testimony” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks to grow your understanding of what a testimony is.
Read or watch “You Can Gather Israel!” by Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, first counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, for an inspirational message about the gathering of Israel.
See the Latter-day Saint Insights article “Rejoice in the Gathering of Israel” by Reagan Weston for more inspiration on how you can participate in the gathering of Israel.