I recently completed a solo guitar recording of a favorite hymn, called “Testimony,” and I thought I would share it with you. You can find more info about the recording and download links here.
What is a testimony? And what good is it to have one? I wondered these things when I was a young teenager. Although I was not born with a believing heart, I was fortunate to be raised in a believing family. It took years to convince my science brain to believe in what I could not see.
A testimony is what you know is true. Your testimony of religious things can include a range of confidence levels, from tentative belief to absolute certainty, and every degree in between. Faith does not have to be perfect for it to be beneficial; you can see amazing results at beginning levels.
So what is my testimony? Here are a few things that I know: God is real. Jesus Christ has the power to take my guilt away. The Holy Ghost is a reliable comforter and guide. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of the Lord’s church, led by true prophets and apostles. The Bible is God’s word and the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
Life is hard, but having a knowledge of truth that transcends life takes the existential pain level down a few notches. It is worth the effort to become a believer. My faith is precious to me because it was so hard to get. I don’t want to do anything to sabotage, to erode, or to undermine it. Defending, sustaining, and protecting my faith is just as important as eating.
How did a science-brained kid like me end up as a believer? I have lately been writing a book that tells the story. It wasn’t in my long term plan to write a book, but I attended a session at the LDSPMA conference last fall that got me thinking — and got me writing.
If you are interested in a sneak preview of this book, then please let me know. I need some good beta readers to give me feedback on the manuscript. Please use the contact form below to send me a message, and I will reply with access instructions.
Thank you for your response. ✨
Alan B. Sanderson, MD is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is a practicing neurologist.
Medicine and Faith 