I’ve heard many women say how petrified they are to bear their testimonies.  Or women who apologize for saying what ends up being something very profound and beautiful.  It occurred to me that most of the women in this church have never served a mission and I wonder if there is a relationship in that.

Bearing testimony comes from personal experience of truth that cannot be hidden under a bushel.  Somehow a mission tends to bring that out in people.  Plus they get lots of practice.

For those who would like to find opportunity to become more comfortable with their testimonies, and I truly believe we all have some form of testimony, or else we wouldn’t do what we do in the name of the Lord, I offer some thought provoking ideas.

Bear testimony to yourself.  As you are driving in the car, doing housework, doing anything by yourself, just review what you know and believe in your mind.  Remember, a testimony is not stories or events that happen to you.  Testimonies are truths that you know.  Because you are reviewing things by yourself you might get carried away and get long winded about all the things that mean so much to you, and that’s okay.  In fact, this little silent testimony might end up in a prayer of gratitude, and if you find yourself in tears, chock it up.  That’s a very good sign and it feels good too.

Bear testimony to your family.  Just in simple conversation with your children (and this can be very powerful to children) tell them what you believe.  You can tell them why you believe it, but it isn’t always necessary.  Just having a mother say I believe Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw can touch a child’s questioning heart.  We have had Family Testimony meeting at our house for years.  This has given our children the opportunity to become more comfortable sharing what they believe.  Look for opportunities (not to make a big deal, but to guide, witness, and teach) to be a testimony bearing parent.

Bear testimony in Relief Society.  Use Relief Society as a practice place.  Those last ten minutes of Fast Sunday RS meetings can be a great opportunity if it is taken.  If your Relief Society doesn’t offer this time, mention something to the President right before the meeting starts and hopefully she will honor that request.  As you hear, or bear your own, testimony look around the room for nodding heads.  Just remember, you are never alone.

The sweetest testimonies are the simplest and purest and are often the shortest.  These are the ones that pierce your heart, and often those listening as well.

We have been called to be missionaries in our every day life.  How in the world do you bear testimony in a casual conversation in an unboastful way?  Well, if you hear something that doesn’t fit your values, you might challenge yourself to vocalize your feelings; for example, if a non-member friend is talking about her daughter’s prom dress, which is clearly immodest, mention that you and your daughter have gone to great lengths to find modest prom dresses, because you believe modesty is important.  Nothing more needs to be said than that, but you have borne a clear testimony.  And I testify that if you do that, you will be on cloud nine.  That is what has happened for me.