Show THE TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH the importance for the saints of the most high to possess a testimony of tile the truth of the gospel of christ is a theme often dwelt upon by speakers who address their congregations and justly so go for F or that testimony Is so to speak ak one of the vital parts of the organism through which the spiritual life makes itself manifest in the soul it is a power which in all ages has made great men of god re ligion piety goodness of heart there may be without it but that noble enthusiasm which was the he distinguishing characteristics of abraham of moses ot of elijah of paul and in our age of joseph the prophet and his faithful successors successor is impossible until the testimony becomes clear and firm the question what it is and how it is obtained to is therefore one of the most profitable tor for meditation to have a testimony of the truth of th the e gospel is to have more than belief to in its doctrines belief may aay be founded on the state went of others whom we trust for or sound judgment and veracity while this bis testimony is founded in personal experience perie oce paul stands before his op posers testifying that the savior lives vee for he had seen him no matter if t they contradicted him calling him a maniac oan lac no matter it they imprisoned 1001 im and beat him this could not change the fact nor shake the assurance vice he had of its being a fact with our r martyred marty red prophet it was the a ime sime jre he stated that he be had seen the eternal father and his son no matter if he had ad to suffer at the hands of one rates iee and die for it it was nevertheless a truth unc unchangeable and indestructible these MRY may sarve to illustrate what the te testimony stimon y IN to the believer it is that f ull fall asu anoe of the he truth of the gospel which makes its possessor quite as absolute in his knowledge as he is conscious of the wot fact that he exists and that the our eur rounding world is something real it IF B the sweet fruit of genuine faith and ad il t gives to those who assess it pence peace JOY y strength and power to live their religion acceptably to the vather rather who Is in heaven this atef testimony is obtained differently ay by different L individuals hardly two 0 o persons can be found who have received calved cel ved it in the same way as regards the minor details As each one has baa his bis own history so BO he has baa also his own spiritual experience but notwithstanding the differences there are some general features that are invariably the same in the first place the testimony of which we speak is in as all blessings the gift of god but the aromi e is given that all who comp comply y with certain conditions shall obtain it the absence of it in any individual case never depends on him whose promises are ever faithful ever sure one of these conditions is to seek for it diligently which implies the careful baudy of the innumerable evidences evidence that are given to help us to arrive at a firm conviction the human wind mind is so ao constituted that by giving proper attention to a subject this becomes clear truths presented if given heed to force themselves on the understanding understand ing doubt and indifference to religion iou truths will upon investigation probably in variably be found to be the result of neglect to study these truths in the abe proper way while on the other hand careful attention to them is sure to te bring the desired testimony it has already been stated that it is the gift of god this suggests another thought it is not likely to be given to those who do not need it its purpose is to enable the follower of christ to overcome temptations advance in holiness and while so doing to further the interests of the kingdom of god it is therefore only natural that a person must have a desire in this direction if he be wants to obtain this par nicular gift it is not given to those whose sole aim in life is to seek world ly advantages and indulge in temporal plea pleasures suros for the evident reason that it is not needed or desired but when a person arrives at the happy determination that he will conquer all evil tendencies in himself or when he be to is placed in a position where he must stand up for the truth and face perhaps able antagonists then he may confidently ask the theal mighty Almighty to give this testimony and he will receive an answer to his bis hu bumble able prayer in ila the hour of need thousands of elders eiders have trad bad this experience they have returned from their fields of labor rejoicing in the abe testimony they have had while serving their master faithfully one Ins instance of this kind to is particularly remarkable one of the humble saints in ID jaffa died there about three years ago previous to his sickness he often expressed a desire to have a full testimony of the truth of the gospel but it seemed as if his desire could oot not be granted he believed in the gospel goepel and defended it and lived the life of a faithful Saint but there seemed to be a desire in his bis soul r mure more absolute certainty than he be had bad and he often expressed him self to that effect in conversation with the elders who visited him he took sick and it was evident that his days were numbered two days before his death be was visited by the german consul this gentleman commenced abusing the church of god and told the dying brother that his bis sickness was a punishment for his bis heresy adding that if he would renounce mormonism then and there he be the consul would pray to god for him and he would perhaps be well the dying man listened for a while then be resumed a sitting posture and with beaming eyes and his hand lifted toward heaven said sir I 1 tes tea MY to you that tha joseph smith was a prophet of god and that mormonism is true then he had the testimony which he had so much desired he obtained it when it was most needed and he died with happiness in his bis heart the lesson we draw from all that the lord has revealed on this subject and from the experience of the saints is that those who will seek diligently to obtain a testimony of the truth of the gospel shall reuels it and retain it as long as they continue to live in accordance with the expressed will of god |