The Eternal Gift of Testimony

In his October 2025 General Conference address, “The Eternal Gift of Testimony,” Elder Kevin G. Brown taught that testimony is a divine gift from God—one that is meant to endure opposition, grow through effort, and be strengthened by righteous choice. Drawing on personal experience and prophetic teaching, he emphasized that testimony is not something we passively receive and then permanently possess, but something we must actively choose, nurture, and defend.

This addresses an important question many wrestle with: If testimony truly comes from God, shouldn’t it come effortlessly—and remain without effort?

In whatever way a testimony is given—whether it is distilled like the sunrise or comes in a glorious vision—it still requires a choice to receive this precious gift.

Common Criticism: “If God wants me to have a testimony, He will give it to me without effort or choice.”

Some assume that a real testimony should arrive unmistakably and remain secure regardless of personal decisions. When doubt arises or conviction weakens, they conclude that either their testimony was never real—or that God has withdrawn it. This view can quietly undermine faith, especially when testimony doesn’t come dramatically or feels challenged by opposition.

Fallacy at Work: Passive Spiritual Expectation

This fallacy assumes that divine gifts require no ongoing agency—that once given, they operate independently of human choice. Applied to testimony, it suggests that effort, defense, or nurturing are signs of weakness rather than faith.

But this logic misunderstands how God works with His children. Agency does not end once truth is received; it becomes more essential.

Elder Brown’s Correction: Testimony Is a Gift Sustained by Agency

Elder Brown teaches that testimony is indeed a gift from God—but it is a gift entrusted to us. Like faith, testimony must be exercised, protected, and strengthened through righteous choices. It grows as we act on truth, defend it when challenged, and continue choosing Christ even when belief feels costly.

He reminds us that opposition does not invalidate testimony; it reveals its purpose. Testimony is meant to be tested, refined, and deepened. Doubt does not erase it—but neglect can weaken our access to it.

Resolving this Fallacy: God does not override agency in spiritual matters. He invites us to receive a testimony and then choose to live in a way that preserves it. Prayer, obedience, scripture study, covenant keeping, and moral courage all create the conditions in which testimony thrives. A testimony that must be nurtured is not fragile—it is alive.

Living Apologetics: Choosing and Defending Testimony

Many struggle when testimony feels less certain than it once did. Some interpret this as failure. Elder Brown reframes the experience: testimony matures as disciples learn to choose faith deliberately, not automatically.

Agency is what allows testimony to become eternal. When disciples actively defend truth, resist spiritual passivity, and remain faithful amid criticism or ridicule, their testimony is not diminished—it is strengthened.

Practical Apologetic Use:

• If someone says: “If testimony were real, I wouldn’t have to work so hard to keep it.”
• You can respond: “God doesn’t give testimonies to remove agency. He gives them so we can choose Him—especially when it requires effort. Elder Brown teaches that testimony grows as we nurture and defend it.”

Ways to Apply Today:

1️⃣ Identify one practice that strengthens your testimony and recommit to it this week.
2️⃣ Notice moments of choice—when believing requires intention rather than convenience.
3️⃣ Speak truth with quiet confidence when testimony is questioned, even if briefly.

Keep This Talk With You

Elder Brown reminds us that testimony was never meant to be effortless—it was meant to be eternal. God grants witnesses of truth, then honors our agency by allowing us to decide what we will do with them. In a world that challenges belief, testimony deepens as disciples choose to nurture it with courage, consistency, and faith.

A testimony that requires effort is not defective; it is developing. As we choose Christ repeatedly—especially when belief is inconvenient—we discover that testimony does not fade with use. It strengthens.

 Try this week:

• Write down one experience that helped form your testimony and revisit it prayerfully.
• Defend truth gently in one conversation where faith is questioned.
• Choose one act of obedience specifically because it strengthens your testimony.

How might your testimony grow as you choose to nurture and defend it more intentionally?

 

The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.