The Power of a Single Testimony

Early on in James' Epistle, he bears testimony of the power of personal revelation. He exhorts the then-
mostly Jewish church, saying:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)

Really, he was just bearing his testimony that God answers prayers. If you need help understanding something, God will help you figure it out. Coming from the half-brother of the Savior, that is powerful. He surely knew of the reality of a loving, listening Heavenly Father.

What I don't think James knew, was the eternal impact that one testimony would have. Nearly 1,800 years later, a young boy, lacking wisdom, would come across that scripture and change the world forever.

Joseph Smith was raised in a family that looked to the Bible for constant guidance. While his family was split on which church to join, religious life and adhering to the word of God was very important to them. Joseph, though, was left unsatisfied. Knowing that God wasn't the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and that there was "one Lord, [and] one faith" (Ephesians 4:5), he simply wanted to know which church was truly
God's church. After hearing many ministers bickering with each other, not to mention blatantly tell him that his own brother and role-model was Hell-bound for not being baptized, he was understandably troubled.

Then, one day, he came across the scripture quoted above in James. He recounts his feelings upon reading it, saying:

"Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know." (Joseph Smith - History 1:12)

Many of you know the story that follows. Joseph entered into a grove of trees behind his family's farm, going to a place he had decided would be perfect for his first spoken prayer. He knelt and offered up his heart to his God.

In response, the heavens were opened. God the Father and His Beloved Son appeared to 14-year-old Joseph, counselling him to not join any of the churches on the Earth at that time, for they had all gone astray. Instead, they told him that he would be an instrument in their holy hands in opening a new dispensation. They called him as a prophet.

I know that this story is true. I know that Joseph was called as a prophet, and that the Lord's kingdom is again established on the Earth, lead by prophets and apostles.

But let's jump back. When James bore testimony of personal revelation, do you think he had the slightest idea what effect that testimony would have? I cannot imagine that he did. He was telling the Jewish church that God answers prayers. He wasn't trying to save the world from an apostasy that hadn't yet occurred. But what a tremendous impact his testimony has had!

I plead with you, open your mouth. Bear your testimony. If people don't listen, that's okay. The apostles after James bore his testimony, for heaven's sake! But you have no idea the impact a single testimony can have. Your voice could change the life of someone around you, and it could even change the world.