Testimony

In John chapter 4, we read of an experience Jesus had with a woman of Samaria. He meets her at the well, and asks her for a drink. She then questions why He, a Jew, would ask a Samaritan for a drink, when Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. He then explains of living water, water that He has that if she would partake, she would never thirst again. She misunderstands the metaphor, and wants actual water that will forever quench her thirst. She then comes to the realization that He is no ordinary man, first claiming Him a prophet, then realizing his full divinity as the Messiah. She goes and spreads the word, and many people hear her words and come to see for themselves. Verses 41 and 42 read: "And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." It was after they had seen for themselves, witnessed the Man Himself, that they knew who He was. They had to learn it, to experience it, rather than just rely on the words of others. The woman gave them reason to believe, but it was interactions with Christ that made them truly believe, and know who He was.

This is what we do. We aren't out here to convince anyone, or to make them believe what we say. We give people a reason to believe, and a desire to know, and then it's up to them. They have to go straight to the source: Just as the people of Samaria knew it was the Messiah when they heard His words, people of Montana (or wherever you may be serving) can know the truthfulness of our message by hearing and reading the Word in the Book of Mormon. We can testify until we're blue in the face, but that's not what is going to convert them. My testimony is my own. I can't loan it to someone, and someone else can't take it for their own; they need to develop their testimony just as I have, and as countless others before me have: Through studying the scriptures and praying to know if it's true. It is through the Holy Ghost that people will know truth. "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Introduction to the Book of Mormon). We invite all to come and see. We give them a reason to believe, and the Lord makes them believe. That's why we're here, that's what we do. Our words aren't enough. The Spirit is.