When people say they “know” something is true in a testimony, what does that mean? How do they actually “know”?

The answer seems to be pretty simple and straight forward and it comes directly from the Lord to Oliver Cowdery in Doctrine and Covenants 18:

“Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true” (D&C 18:2).

I think that is how much of my testimony evolved and developed. I have received spiritual witnesses, or confirmations through a variety of the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22), “in many instances.” Specifically, feeling the Spirit while hearing or sharing certain truths has reinforced any confirmation I received through direct inquiry through prayer. My testimony is the sum of all of these witnesses and confirmations and this has lead to knowledge.

You will find as you bear witness as a missionary you often feel the Holy Ghost testifying to you the truth of what you are saying. This is building your testimony drop by drop.

And some day you will look back at the accumulation of all of those drops and you will “know”.

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Lead image by Miguel Luis on Unsplash