Testimony?

It seems to be a trait of humanity to assume that we are right even when we are wrong. And if that is the case, what hope is there for any of us? Are we destined to drift aimlessly on an ocean of conflicting information, stranded on a raft we have poorly pieced together from our own biases?

For me this portion is the key to the entire talk. Yes, our lot in life is to process conflicting information. Yes, we process this information through our own biases and are often wrong.

The rest of the talk then seems to say that the biases and assumptions of the LDS church are an exception. They are true when everything else is transitory. You can know for yourself…If only you read, ponder, pray, “fearlessly strive to believe,” live the principles in your life, and continue for the rest of your life. Be patient. The answers do not come according to our schedule “but I promise you this: if you do your part, it will come.”

For my critical mind, I just go back to the beginning of the talk where he talks about processing conflicting information through our own biases and often being stubbornly wrong.

Elder Echtdorf is a high level official in a church that is built upon a claim of uniquely correct understanding about the meaning of life. It comes as no surprise that his biases (at least the one’s that he could share in public) are towards the church’s narrative being the ultimate truth. He defends his own little “raft poorly pieced together from our own biases” and calls it truth.

“What really is a testimony? and What is it supposed to be used for?”

If you were an investigator asking this question I would answer that “testimony” as used commonly by LDS people usually means “level of belief in the LDS church and everything pertaining to it”. I believe that one could safely substitute this definition each time the word testimony is used an not miss anything.

Once again, I agree with Ray. Go figure! I think Pres. Uchtdorf possesses a gift in being able to speak to us and the more orthodox at the same, each hearing what they want to hear. Honestly, this is not my favorite talk by him, either. BUT, I have pulled this gem from there that I quote all the time:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a place for people with all kinds of testimonies. There are some members of the Church whose testimony is sure and burns brightly within them. Others are still striving to know for themselves. The Church is a home for all to come together, regardless of the depth or the height of our testimony. I know of no sign on the doors of our meetinghouses that says, “Your testimony must be this tall to enter.”

The Church is not just for perfect people, but it is for all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.” The Church is for people like you and me. The Church is a place of welcoming and nurturing, not of separating or criticizing. It is a place where we reach out to encourage, uplift, and sustain one another as we pursue our individual search for divine truth.

In the end, we are all pilgrims seeking God’s light as we journey on the path of discipleship. We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true.

I kept thinking… there’s some people that really need to hear this talk!!!

Lord, is it I? (that needs to hear this talk)

Nibbler – Yes this was that conference. I even thought about it during the lesson, finding irony in the fact that I adore Maverick Uchtdorf often, but to have them switched was stunning.

Roy – That raft is my lifeline right now, and I think today everyone else was ” that we are right” group.

I guess I just wasn’t expecting the talk to turn into a “I read my scriptures every day” kind of talk. Suddenly I wanted to bear testimony that you can do all of that stuff diligently and with good intent and still find yourself on a raft. I didn’t though, I did bear my opinion that God doesn’t always answer my prayers but that when I sit quietly I can feel Him.

DJ – That is a money quote. I really would have loved a lesson focused on that.

Yes – Ray I do believe he possesses a unique gift, my challenge comes in watching my interpretation get sidelined. I know it’s selfish, I just have such an Uchtdorf crush, he is a living lifeline in so many areas I tend to be selfish.

Thanks everyone, I needed this hug.