*Saturday Afternoon Session

Donald L. Staheli, of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke to church members who wanted to gain a stronger testimony and members of the church who were casually, and not anxiously, engaged in being active in the church.

“In the absence of a compelling testimony some have let heir daily thoughts and actions become so focused on the things of the world, that they have minimized the influence of the light of the gospel in their everyday lives,” said Staheli.

Staheli also spoke of the importance of parent’s helping their children to have spiritual experiences. He spoke of instances in his own life where his parents helped to guide his spiritual growth.

“I will be forever grateful to parents who helped coach me through those precious spiritual experiences, they’ve had a lasting impact on me and on the strength of my testimony,” Staheli said.

Staheli encouraged church members to continually strengthen their testimonies. He said it was important for members to gain a personal testimony.

“We’ve been sent here to work out our individual salvation through the tests and challenges of daily life,” Staheli said. “We cannot do that by relying heavily upon the borrowed light of someone else’s testimony. As we receive inspiration when we hear the prophets, leaders, and peers bear their testimonies those spiritual feelings should further enhance our desire to strengthen our own convictions.”

Never give up on the Lord, the Lord may not answer the way you like but he is listening, Staheli said. He encouraged church members to participate in daily personal and family prayer, and ask for inspiration to develop their testimonies.

“Daily fervent prayer, seeking forgiveness, special help, and direction are essential to our lives and the nourishment of our testimonies,” Staheli said.

He also emphasized to church members the importance of daily scripture study. Frequent scripture study combined with prayer is an essential part to gaining and sustaining a testimony, Staheli said.

“The strong unwavering testimonies that so many of you have wonderful faithful members of the church embrace have come from fervently following counsel from our prophets in the scripture. That same priceless blessing is available to each of us who will earnestly seek it,” Staheli said.
Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Oct 2004