--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A testimony is a most precious possession…" description: "\"A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66d/dieter-f-uchtdorf-762_ancestor_a-testimony-is-a-most-precious-possessio_2538033.png" --- # A testimony is a most precious possession because it is… ![“A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. We cannot depend on the testimonies of other people. We need to know for ourselves…” quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66d/dieter-f-uchtdorf-762_ancestor_a-testimony-is-a-most-precious-possessio_2538033.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66d/dieter-f-uchtdorf-762_ancestor_a-testimony-is-a-most-precious-possessio_2538033.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66d/dieter-f-uchtdorf-762_ancestor_a-testimony-is-a-most-precious-possessio_2538033.png) > “A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. We cannot depend on the testimonies of other people. We need to know for ourselves. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, ‘Every Latter-day Saint has the responsibility to know for himself or herself with a certainty beyond doubt that Jesus is the resurrected, living Son of the living God.” [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal testimony is essential because it stems from inner conviction, not external proof or inheritance, urging individuals to seek their own certainty. **In simple terms:** Testimony comes from personal belief. Key Takeaway Seek personal conviction. Themes faith individualism spirituality Mood thoughtful inspirational Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - religious study - personal decision-making - ethical leadership - counseling - education Key Concepts epistemology personal revelation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal belief with community teachings? - What evidence supports your convictions? A Different Perspective Reliance on personal testimony can lead to isolation from communal wisdom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) [Certainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainty/) [Depend Testimonies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depend-testimonies-1407147/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Gordon b hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gordon-b-hinckley-75007/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Latter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter/) [Latter day saints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter-day-saints/) [Latter days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latter-days/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Precious Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-possession-327051/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Testimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testimony/) [Testimony Precious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testimony-precious-1407146/) ## Related quotes > [Stand tall and be strong in defense of those great virtues which have been the backbone of our social progress. When you are united,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/stand-tall-and-be-strong-in-defense-of-those-great-virtues-which-have/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [ In the middle of this despair \[of postwar Germany\], my family learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the healing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/in-the-middle-of-this-despair-of-postwar-germany-my-family-learned/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We are expected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/latter-day-saints-are-not-asked-to-blindly-accept-everything-they/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real; it brings immortality to all and opens the door to eternal life. The gospel of Jesus Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-is-real-it-brings-immortality-to-all/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/when-i-think-of-the-savior-i-often-picture-him-with-hands/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [“A testimony is a precious gift of the Spirit, a sign that we have in fact been born again (1 John 5:1). It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-millet/a-testimony-is-a-precious-gift-of-the-spirit-a-sign-that-we-have-in/) [Robert L. Millet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-millet/) > [In the midst of all this turmoil and destruction, the Latter-day Saints should dwell in peace and safety. This they may do if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fielding-smith/in-the-midst-of-all-this-turmoil-and-destruction-the-latter-day/) [Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-proclaims-that-jesus/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [No political party is justified to continue in existence unless it clearly states the principles which it advocates, the platform upon which its candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-d-moyle/no-political-party-is-justified-to-continue-in-existence-unless-it/) [Henry D. Moyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-d-moyle/) > [Our duty as Latter-day Saints is to prepare ourselves, this earth, and its inhabitants for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-b-mcmullin/our-duty-as-latter-day-saints-is-to-prepare-ourselves-this-earth-and/) [Keith B. McMullin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-b-mcmullin/) > [I never thought it was right to call up a man and try him because he erred in doctrine, it looks too much like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/i-never-thought-it-was-right-to-call-up-a-man-and-try-him-because-he/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [There is no true Latter-day Saint who would not rather bury a son or a daughter than to have him or her lose his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/there-is-no-true-latter-day-saint-who-would-not-rather-bury-a-son-or/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the Savior,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-saint-in-the-lord-s-church-the-members-are/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/every-latter-day-saint-should-make-the-study-of-this-book-a-lifetime/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## More by Dieter F. Uchtdorf > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/compared-to-god-man-is-nothing-yet-we-are-everything-to-god/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [We don't always know the details of our future. We do not know what lies ahead. We live in a time of uncertainty. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-don-t-always-know-the-details-of-our-future-we-do-not-know-what/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Daily simple, sincere, and mighty prayers lift our lives to a higher spiritual altitude. In our prayers we praise God, give thanks to Him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/daily-simple-sincere-and-mighty-prayers-lift-our-lives-to-a-higher/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/sometimes-a-single-phrase-of-testimony-can-set-events-in-motion-that/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [As we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/as-we-contemplate-with-reverence-and-awe-how-our-savior-embraces-us/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/i-suppose-the-church-would-be-perfect-only-if-it-were-run-by-perfect/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/this-topic-of-judging-others-could-actually-be-taught-in-a-two-word/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/as-you-take-the-normal-opportunities-of-your-daily-life-and-create/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/developing-christlike-attributes-in-our-lives-is-not-an-easy-task/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [In His plan there are no true endings. Only everlasting beginnings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/in-his-plan-there-are-no-true-endings-only-everlasting-beginnings/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Often the deep valleys of our PRESENT will be UNDERSTOOD only by LOOKING BACK on them from the mountains of our FUTURE experience. Often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/often-the-deep-valleys-of-our-present-will-be-understood-only-by/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [We sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that ‘the worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-sometimes-confuse-sin-with-sinner-and-we-condemn-too-quickly-and/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [I am grateful that early in my life I was blessed with a simple faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/i-am-grateful-that-early-in-my-life-i-was-blessed-with-a-simple-faith/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We are expected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/latter-day-saints-are-not-asked-to-blindly-accept-everything-they/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) [Explore all 377 Dieter F. Uchtdorf quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) ## More Ancestor quotes > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [Food binds us to our roots as strongly as any song or poem. Many of us have learned more about our ancestors in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-thomas/food-binds-us-to-our-roots-as-strongly-as-any-song-or-poem-many-of-us/) [Anna Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-thomas/) > [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/) [Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/) > [Going where no man has gone before is more difficult than it sounds. Our cousins and ancestors were no less curious than we are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/going-where-no-man-has-gone-before-is-more-difficult-than-it-sounds/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [I use the phrase 'sibling society' to suggest a culture fundamentally without fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, or ancestors. The thinking is horizontal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/i-use-the-phrase-sibling-society-to-suggest-a-culture-fundamentally/) [Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/) > [“A very long time ago, some 2.5 million years B.C., the mother of human species as we know it, our ultimate ancestor, appeared in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-f-cantor/a-very-long-time-ago-some-2-5-million-years-b-c-the-mother-of-human/) [Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-f-cantor/) > [High birth is an accident, not a virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-metastasio/high-birth-is-an-accident-not-a-virtue/) [Pietro Metastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pietro-metastasio/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Two hundred years ago, before the advent of capitalism, a man's social status was fixed from the beginning to the end of his life;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/two-hundred-years-ago-before-the-advent-of-capitalism-a-man-s-social/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [And I saw for the first time how, despite the isolation of our own lives, we are always connected to our ancestors; our bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-richman/and-i-saw-for-the-first-time-how-despite-the-isolation-of-our-own/) [Alyson Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-richman/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [My ancestors came over from Germany about the time of the Civil War and one of them lost a leg and went back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/my-ancestors-came-over-from-germany-about-the-time-of-the-civil-war/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [ Now they \[the Powers\] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/empress-dowager-cixi/now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-aggression-and-the-extinction-of/) [Empress Dowager Cixi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/empress-dowager-cixi/) > [A solitary American monk named Thomas Berry writes that in our relationship to nature, we have been autistic for centuries. Wrapped tightly in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-benyus/a-solitary-american-monk-named-thomas-berry-writes-that-in-our/) [Janine Benyus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-benyus/) [Browse all 767 Ancestor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. 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