Relief Society · Elders Quorum · 25 minutes
Elder Gérald Caussé · Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles · Saturday Morning Session
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Elder Caussé teaches that every covenant disciple is called to bear witness of Jesus Christ, and that a simple, sincere testimony carries power because the Holy Ghost, not our words, confirms the truth.
Skip the section on the apostolic witness and the Joseph Smith quote about the fundamental principles of our religion, and spend the time on the niece's two-sentence testimony and the invitation to share.
Before Sunday
Sunday: Elder Caussé on sharing your testimony
This Sunday we will discuss Elder Gérald Caussé's talk "The Gift of Testimony." He tells about a young woman who could only say two short sentences at camp, and he teaches that a testimony does not need to be long or eloquent, only true. Please read or listen to the talk if you can. Ponder: Whose simple testimony has stayed with you, and why?
Pick one opening
Think of a time someone shared a short, simple witness of Jesus Christ with you, maybe a parent, a friend, or someone in testimony meeting. You may not remember their exact words, but you remember how it felt. What made that moment stay with you?
Think of a time someone shared a short, simple witness of Jesus Christ with you, maybe a parent, a friend, or someone in testimony meeting. You may not remember their exact words, but you remember how it felt. What made that moment stay with you?
Elder Caussé shared a story from his niece. As a young woman at camp, she was so nervous she managed only two sentences: "I know that God loves me" and "I know that God has a plan for me." Afterward she felt discouraged because she couldn't speak like the other girls. Her mother asked, "Do you believe what you said?" She said yes. Her mother answered, "Then that's all that matters."
Teach this first
Elder Caussé teaches that a testimony does not need to be long, eloquent, or dramatic; it only needs to be true. Because it is the Holy Ghost, not our words, that testifies of truth, even a brief witness from a nervous or imperfect speaker can change lives. The Lord has always worked through "the weak and the simple," from Enoch and Moses to Joseph Smith and today's missionaries.
Elder Caussé taught that a testimony "need not be long, eloquent, or dramatic, it only needs to be true."
Ask the class
If time remains
Elder Caussé teaches that testimony and love strengthen each other. Because we love people, we want to share our witness of Christ with them, and when we express Christlike love, we bear witness of Him, the source of all perfect love.
Ask the class
Counsel together
Last 3–5 minutes
Each day this week, look for one chance, as the Spirit prompts, to share a brief witness of Jesus Christ, even a sentence like "I love our Savior, Jesus Christ" or "The gospel brings joy to my heart," with a family member, a friend, or someone you minister to.
Elder Caussé promised that as you share your testimony freely, it will grow stronger, you will draw closer to the Lord and feel more deeply the power of His redemption, and you will become an instrument in His hands to bless those around you.
Your witness: Share in two or three plain sentences what you know about Jesus Christ, perhaps naming someone whose simple witness strengthened you. Keep it short, the way Elder Caussé invites.