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Though my testimony of the ‘Church’ is sometimes lacking, today I found myself prompted to actually get up and bear my Testimony of the Gospel and of Jesus and how we need to put him first in our lives. I didn’t say nothing about the ‘Church’ or about Joseph Smith, or any of that stuff, just Jesus. So am I being hypocritical to get up and bare my testimony, while not necessarily believing that TSCC is the ONLY true Church and JS was a prophet? I have lots of questions and I have Faith in Christ, however, I have read in some talks by the GAs that you don’t have a TRUE testimony, nor can you of Christ without also having one of the CHURCH and JOSEPH SMITH. I don’t see Jesus as THE CHURCH myself, and I feel that people not of the LDS faith have just as strong a testimony of Jesus as I do.
Sometimes I find the Church more of a hinderer to Christ than an aid, and other times it helps.
Your testimony is an expression of your spiritual and religious thoughts. I don’t think anyone should / could fault you for having a testimony of Christ and the atonement. I prefer not to think of it as losing one’s testimony, just that it changes from one form to another. You don’t have to have a “sure knowledge” of the Church being exclusive. Share what inspires you! Believe me, people appreciate hearing heartfelt and inspiring words. I’ve born testimonies like that before in Church, and always received good responses and reactions.
You are NOT a hypocrite if you are sharing the truth from your heart. Being a hypocrite would be demanding that OTHERS have that sure knowledge while knowing that you don’t have it. That isn’t your situation. I bet you are much more tolerant than most in your ward because of your personal situation
I occasionally bare testimony at church. I haven’t used the words, “I know” for a decade. I try to say something like, “I have a testimony” or “I believe”…. And I don’t mention JS, the BoM, or the Church in my testimony either – unless it is a specific item such as “I believe the church is a good pathway that can lead people like myself to spiritual enlightenment… or I believe the BoM contains some great spiritual lessons that have greatly improved my life….” I have never heard a GA say that you can’t have a testimony of jesus, without having a testimony of JS and the church, but if someone has said that than I would merely choose to not believe such a statement. There are many statements made by GA, even from the pulpit in GC, that I choose not to believe. I don’t think that is a bad thing at all.
Your testimony is your testimony, whatever it’s makeup. Sharing your thoughts and feelings is never hypocritical, if they are sincere. A phrase I keep hearing around town here is that “I’m spiritual but not religious”. I think one can take that mental attitude to the pulpit, and focus on spiritual experiences that transcend religion, membership, or even Christianity — focus on those spiritual aspects of your life that are uplifting and share those. That’s what I do now.
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