Our last testimony meeting

[ERCougar]

During our last testimony meeting (August--last week I was in Seattle), I felt like I needed to get up and share my feelings about the Church. I don't know how long it had been since I had last done this--several years, at least--out of fear that I really couldn't say that I "know" the Church is true and I didn't want to be dishonest. I shared that I felt that the BOM was an inspired book, that despite some shortcomings, I felt that Joseph Smith was God's instrument to bring us this book and establish a wonderful church that has brought me a lot of peace and happiness. I specifically said that I didn't "know" this, but my heart "felt" it was true, that I hoped it was true, and that I would following my hope and my faith.

Probably would be classified as a "moins efficace" (less effective? Went to France, I don't know the English term) testimony, per the Missionary Guide.

I live in a fairly wealthy old Mormon blood ward, and felt as I sat down that it was sort of a weak testimony, and that really, no one cared about my thoughts on my faith. So I was literally shocked at the number of people who came up to me afterwards (including a member of the Stake Presidency) thanking me for what I had said, saying that they "needed to hear that today" or "finally someone said something in testimony meeting that I can relate with". This was not my intent, as I really didn't think there were others like me in our ward.

Interesting experience on judgments I make of other people.

[UtahDan]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

During our last testimony meeting (August--last week I was in Seattle), I felt like I needed to get up and share my feelings about the Church. I don't know how long it had been since I had last done this--several years, at least--out of fear that I really couldn't say that I "know" the Church is true and I didn't want to be dishonest. I shared that I felt that the BOM was an inspired book, that despite some shortcomings, I felt that Joseph Smith was God's instrument to bring us this book and establish a wonderful church that has brought me a lot of peace and happiness. I specifically said that I didn't "know" this, but my heart "felt" it was true, that I hoped it was true, and that I would following my hope and my faith.

Probably would be classified as a "moins efficace" (less effective? Went to France, I don't know the English term) testimony, per the Missionary Guide.

I live in a fairly wealthy old Mormon blood ward, and felt as I sat down that it was sort of a weak testimony, and that really, no one cared about my thoughts on my faith. So I was literally shocked at the number of people who came up to me afterwards (including a member of the Stake Presidency) thanking me for what I had said, saying that they "needed to hear that today" or "finally someone said something in testimony meeting that I can relate with". This was not my intent, and I really didn't think there were others like me in our ward.

Interesting experience on judgments I make of other people.

It is so easy to view others as a monolith. We all do it. Very cool to get confronted with the evidence that they are not.