November 4, 2025, 4:00 AM MST
Editor’s note: To support individual and family gospel study, Church News is publishing articles about the October 2025 general conference messages. In addition to checking out these resources, we encourage you to listen and read the entire address.
About this lecture
“The Eternal Gift of a Testimony” Elder Kevin G. Brown | General Authority Seventy October 2025 General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session. Theme: A sure witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ emerges as believers choose Jesus and take charge of their witness. Read the full message here. Read a summary of Elder Brown’s message here.
overview
Convalescent truths blessed Elder Brown’s life. Those truths led him on a journey toward a sure witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. God is our loving Heavenly Father
God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He is always seeking to bless His children.
2. Agency is the gift of choosing and acting on your own.
It is the responsibility of the agent to choose appropriately. The purpose of agency is to choose the good, Christ, and eternal life.
3. Our testimonies come by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the preeminent witness of the Father and the Son. Testimonies from the Holy Spirit may come suddenly, gradually, or intermittently.
find testimonies in jamaica
Elder Brown, who was raised in Jamaica, was criticized for being a Latter-day Saint. The time was painful, but the spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit eased the pain. The gifts and testimony of the Holy Spirit are available to all. A testimony-building experience occurred after Elder Brown was invited to read the Book of Mormon by a sister missionary. He still knows exactly when and where he got his witnesses. “That experience changed me.” Personal testimonies are eternal gifts that should be multiplied, not buried. Belief, hope, and trust are important faith components for receiving a solid testimony. All Latter-day Saints can pursue a path to testimony and solid knowledge.
be in charge of testifying
Although some people choose to criticize the church, choosing to receive the gift of testimony is a wise and powerful way to utilize agency. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and his mantle of prophecy continues today under the leadership of Jesus Christ. When an individual chooses to carry and believe his or her testimony, it provides support and motivation through difficult times. The world needs more sure witnesses of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Now is the time to take hold of this gift.
reflection questions
What “good gifts” have you received from God?
How can we more intentionally choose Christ in our daily lives?
What experiences have personally strengthened your testimony?
What blessings will you receive if you “choose to believe”?
Who in your life has influenced your testimony?
speaker’s words
“The testimony of the Holy Spirit comes in many ways. It can come on dramatically and suddenly, like a lightbulb in a dark room. It can come gradually and over time, like a sunrise. It can come in intermittent exposure to pure intelligence, like a ray of light. No matter how it comes, it comes from the Holy Spirit.” “My brothers and sisters, testimonies are not given as a temporary thing. The giver is eternal, so this gift from a loving Heavenly Father should be eternal. A testimony should not have an expiration date. A testimony should not have an expiration date. It should.” “Just because something in my life has changed, or something in the world has changed, it should become even stronger, because my personal testimony is a gift that grows, not disappears.” ”
Reference scripture
“But to him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mystery of my kingdom; and the same shall be in him a spring of living water, gushing forth unto everlasting life.” “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” “And I exhort you again, that ye come unto Christ, and hold fast unto every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”
invitation and promise
“Dear brothers and sisters, let the little seedling of your testimony work in you until it sprouts a sure knowledge that will shine forever.” “Consider the path to a sure witness of Jesus Christ and his gospel. Cherish your testimony. Use your agency wisely and acknowledge the Giver and all his glorious attributes. “No one can choose for you. No one can take this gift away. You can choose to believe.” “I promise you,” your testimony will be “a fountain of living water unto eternal life” (D&C 63:23) that will help you through difficult times. It will be your weapon against Satan and your adversaries. It will be of great power if you use it to share and witness to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren and those you love and serve. ”
story
Elder Brown, who was raised in Jamaica, was criticized for being a Latter-day Saint. The time was painful, but the spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit eased the pain. This happened after Elder Brown was invited to read the Book of Mormon by a sister missionary. He still knows exactly when and where he got his witnesses. “That experience changed me.” When Parley P. Pratt became frustrated with the Prophet Joseph Smith, he decided to criticize the church. Pratt warned John Taylor not to follow Joseph. “Before you left Canada, you bore a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. . . . If Joseph Smith was a prophet then, he is a prophet now.”
From footnote
3. “Just because God is God, just because Christ is Christ, they can do nothing but care for us, bless us, and help us. We come to them and approach their throne of grace with meek and humble hearts. They cannot help but bless us. It is their nature to do so” (then Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Come unto Me,” Brigham Young University Devotional, March 2). 1997).19. “The spiritual testimony I received from the Holy Ghost…has not disappeared; in fact, it has grown even stronger. What I learned at an early age about the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been a firm foundation for me throughout my life.” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Feed the Root and the Branches Will Grow,” October 2024 General Conference) 24. “Receiving a gift is not passive; it is an intentional and meaningful process that goes far beyond simply unpacking. Receiving is about appreciating and connecting with both the gift and the heart of the giver in a way that strengthens the bond between gift and recipient.” (Elder Patrick Kearon, “Receiving Gifts,” April 2025 general conference)
additional resources
Recent press conference regarding testimony
Who is Elder Brown?
Elder Kevin G. Brown was sustained by the General Authority Seventy in April 2025 general conference. Born in Manchester, Jamaica, Elder Brown began his career in the Church’s seminary and institute of religion, where he served as institute coordinator, director of training services, and associate administrator.
