GETTING READY #3: Encouraging testimony-bearing during monthly Testimony Meetings

7 September 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies…

Thank you for making the “leap” to webcasting from your chapel yesterday. While the transition hasn't been seamless, we’re making great progress. THANK YOU for figuring it out so well!

And a special thanks to those who are going the extra mile to incorporate singing at home in your webcasts.

TESTIMONY MEETING

As you well know, yesterday was Testimony Sunday. The holiday weekend took a toll in most units. Some of you had wonderful experiences and others ended early for lack of participation.

Fortunately, our next Testimony Meeting on Oct. 11 will be a “hybrid”—both a virtual webcast and some in-person attendees (see earlier email about October Fast Sunday).

Here are some thoughts that may help in the future:

• PREPARE MEMBERS: Remember to announce in advance the Fast and Testimony meeting so members, either in-person or online, will prepare mentally and spiritually to share.

• MAKE IT EASY: Instruct those participating online how to make it known they want to bear their testimony. Remind them they don’t have to turn on their video. Sometimes the “raise hand” feature on Zoom Webinar is difficult for members to locate. Explain that they can also notify the bishopric in other ways, such as with the Chat function or texting.

• EASIER STILL: Some of you used the regular Zoom version for your Testimony Meeting, making it a lot easier for members to unmute themselves and just start talking without having to raise their hand or indicate they want to share.

• TEACH TESTIMONY: Teach through emails or messages from the pulpit the power of testimony bearing and why Church leaders ask us to consistently hold a Testimony Meeting each month despite conflicts, like general conference, on the first Sunday.

• LEADERS’ ROLE: Encourage your ward council members to set the example by stepping up to share when the testimony bearing becomes uncomfortably slow. Remind them of the influence and example leaders' testimonies will have on new and returning members in attendance.

• A TESTIMONY CULTURE: Create a culture of testimony-bearing by encouraging families to hold testimony meetings in the home.

I hope these are helpful. Thank you for persevering in making your monthly Testimony Meetings a spiritual highlight for your ward or branch each month.

Gratefully,

President Lewis