Our Heavenly Father has provided us many times with the testimony of two.
First, the testimony of two nations. The Bible and the Book of Mormon both testify of Christ.
Second, the testimony of two witnesses, such as missionaries that go in pairs of two to testify of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel.
Last of all, he gives individuals two testimonies within themselves, so that the strength of it is not based upon just logic, or just feelings.
"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2)
When the Holy Ghost testifies of truth to us, it tells us in our minds and hearts--not just one or the other. This way, we can feel the truth, and also understand it.
For those looking for a testimony of the restored gospel, I can testify that you can know of assurety in your mind and in your heart. You can receive the knowledge to understand it, and the peace in your heart that only the gospel brings.
Thanks for a great explanation of the need for a testimony of two. I had never seen the significance of the heart AND mind in D&C 8:2.
ReplyDeleteThe amazing thing about living and staying in tune with the spirit...that he will teach you all things you should do! Thank you for the reminder!
DeleteVery true indeed, Elder White. Reason alone won't bring us to the truth, just as reason alone can't describe the most precious of all things, which is love. Reason also can't sustain a testimony by itself, for if faith isn't strong, the intellect will tend to buckle on its own and turn back to the material world.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, pretty much all of life's most important decisions are arrived at using only a small bit of logic, and instead rely primarily on our instinctive selves, our emotions, those things that we can't quantify or put into equations. Questions of what types of relationships we'll have with others, raising children, where to live, what vocation to follow, what lifestyle to choose, how to treat other people, what goals to pursue, what hobbies of lifelong passions to engage in... these are determined on a fundamental level not through what the world would call rational processes, but rather the intuitive ones. Ironically, it only makes sense that the same pattern would be true for finding ultimate truth.
I loved learning from you today. It is true we can't lean on just logic or our heart.....It has to be both. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThe Testimony of Two is an interesting insight regarding having a confident belief in any aspect gospel I am studying. I have always wondered how people can say "I know this is true..." or other similar statements but this concept taught in D&C 8:2 helps me to understand the way the spirit will testify of truth.
ReplyDeleteHello Elder White, I am an old friend of your mom; I met her in Jerusalem and have remained in close touch with your Aunt Christy Boots. I love missionary work, taught years ago in the MTC, and have lived all over the US and served as ward missionary officially, and unofficially. I will appreciate your insight and share your blog with my two young teens. Prayers are offered for all the missionaries daily in every one of the 140 (?) Temples. God be with you-- Robyn Buckwalter
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