Testimony

We had a lesson on testimony in Primary this week.  I made a card for each child that said "My name is _____________________, and I know..."  at the top of the page.  At the bottom of the page it said "I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen."

I had prepared labels with various truths for the children to put on their cards and pass out to each other.  "I am a child of God."  "Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers."

It worked out nicely to have each child come up and read their card.

Sr. Primary added examples of how they knew those truths.  We had a little discussion about testimony etiquette.  I tried to help them understand that testimony is like a tool.  By bearing testimony we can let the spirit witness to us, and others about spiritual truths. 

The first girl I had give her testimony in Sr. Primary started good, but then went on and on in a very confused story about the history of Christs life.  I let her go for a while, but after a few mix-ups and a few times of me pointing to the closing sentence on my paper, I asked her to finish.  She's so sweet.

As I talked to them about testimony, some kids said "Some people get up and tell a story about something not related to the church, and then they try to tie it in at the end."  Exactly! 

I also told them that testimony meeting is a good time for lots of people to get up and grow by bearing their testimony.  So if someone gets up and takes up all the time telling a story that is not a testimony, it's taking the time from other people.

Sheesh!  Looks like I talked a lot.  It also looks like I'm really judgmental about other people giving testimony.

I told the kids that I wanted them to understand what a testimony is so they would know how to use it.  Like a toaster, it is a powerful tool.  And like a toaster, if you don't know the instructions, or what it is for, it could end up collecting dust and not doing anyone any good.