Alma 4: 19; Alma 4: 6-14

How are you sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ?

"19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them." (Alma 4: 19)

"6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel.

7 Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people.

8 For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure.

9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God.

10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.

11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.

12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.

13 Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;

14 Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death." (Alma 4: 6-14)

And here's the last part of the commentary entitled: "My example and testimony can change hearts. :

"Alma had great faith in the word of God and “pure testimony” (verse 19). What examples have you seen of the power of pure testimony? As you ponder various ways you can share your testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel, you might reread Alma 4:6–14. What do the actions of Church members in these verses reveal about their testimonies of Jesus Christ and His teachings? What do you notice about the effect of their actions—on themselves and on others? You might also think about ways you have been blessed by other people’s pure testimony, whether it was shared through words or actions.

Think of ways you could share your testimony of Jesus Christ—in words or actions. Who would benefit from your witness?

See also Gary E. Stevenson, “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 111–14; “Testimony,” Hymns, no. 137; “Alma the Younger Steps Down as Chief Judge” (video), Gospel Library; Gospel Topics, “Revelation,” Gospel Library."

Because of the testimony shared by the missionaries who taught my own father, and because of the testimony that my father read from the scriptures, he was converted to the church. And because of my own father's testimony and his own change of heart which my mother saw through the change in his behavior, my own mother also was converted herself. And because of my own parents' conversion into the church as they heard others' testimonies and as they developed their own, they were able to bring up their children, including myself, in the gospel of Jesus Christ as members of His church. 

There are many who would benefit from my witness as I share my testimony of Jesus Christ in words or actions,  both face-to-face and online. I'm so grateful for the privilege of sharing my own testimony with my friends online since there is not a lot of opportunity for me to share my testimony face-to-face. I'm so grateful for being able to write this blog because it's been making it easier for me to share my testimony online. When someone would come to mind or a group of friends would come to mind who might benefit from my sharing, I can just quickly share with just a few clicks.