Tag Archive for: testimony

A Pilgrimage of Faith

Several times over these last few days, my attention has been drawn to the year 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers, the Mayflower, religious freedom, and liberty.
Looking back has helped me look forward.
A pilgrim is “a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.”
In Latin, it comes from the word peregrinus, meaning “one who has come from afar.”
Pilgrimages have long been a common feature of many world religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shinto. Today, millions of people make pilgrimages to a wide array of holy sites every year.
It got me thinking about our recent trip to the United States and my own pilgrimage through life.
A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place which, for some, leads to personal transformation. The pilgrim then returns to daily life with renewed purpose, perspective, and understanding.
I have spent a lifetime studying the teachings and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and these last few days on a remarkable Church history tour with 116 youth have strengthened and reaffirmed my deeply held beliefs and convictions.
As we visited sacred sites connected with the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as long promised from holy scripture, I found myself reflecting on those early pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic seeking the freedom to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. Their courage helped establish principles of religious liberty that would later create an environment where the Restoration of the gospel could take place.
In many ways, Joseph Smith was also a pilgrim. He sought truth. He asked questions. He desired to know God’s will and was willing to act on the answers he received. His journey led to sacred experiences that continue to bless millions of lives throughout the world.

Priesthood Restoration

One photograph from our visit to the Priesthood Restoration Site captures much of what I have been feeling.
As I look at this photograph, I am struck by the contrast between the bronze figures behind us and the young faces in front of us.
The statues commemorate a sacred moment in history. The youth gathered before it represent the future. Between those two groups stands my own generation, entrusted with preserving faith, sharing testimony, and helping others find their way.
For me, that is one of the great lessons of pilgrimage: we look back to sacred events not merely to remember them, but to carry their influence forward into our own lives and into the lives of those who follow us.
The events commemorated at that sacred place occurred nearly two hundred years ago, yet their influence continues to shape lives today. Standing there with the young people, I was reminded that every generation must make its own pilgrimage. We can visit the sacred sites, walk the same paths, and learn the same history, but ultimately each of us must gain our own witness.
My hope is that, for these youth, this journey will become more than a memorable trip. I hope it will become a milestone in their own lifelong search for truth, faith, and discipleship.
As for me, this pilgrimage has been both a confirmation and a reminder. A confirmation of truths I have long believed, and a reminder that faith is not a destination but a journey. We are all pilgrims, each seeking greater light, greater understanding, and a closer relationship with God.
Like those who sailed on the Mayflower, and like those who sought truth during the Restoration, we continue our journey forward, guided by faith, strengthened by sacred experiences, and grateful for those who have gone before us.
Looking back has indeed helped me look forward.
As you continue your own journey through life, what sacred experiences from your past can help you look forward with greater faith, purpose, and hope?

Beauty Born of Sacrifice

These last few days have been quite incredible, but yesterday in Carthage and Nauvoo was particularly memorable.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have studied, taught, and reflected on the events that took place in these sacred locations for many years. Yet being there in person brought a depth of understanding and feeling that is difficult to describe.

Carthage

We began the day in Carthage.
Carthage Jail is the place where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred on 27 June 1844. It was a sobering experience to be there.
To walk where they walked, to sit where they sat, and to stand in the room where they spent their final hours. Seeing the bullet hole that remains in the door brought the reality of those events into sharp focus.
As our group of twenty-five gathered in that upper room, we sang together “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” the hymn that John Taylor sang shortly before the attack on the jail.
The experience was deeply moving.
A beautiful stillness filled the room. Reverence settled upon us as the story of that terrible day was retold. The Spirit was present in a powerful way, and all of us felt the sacredness of the place and the significance of what had occurred there.
As I sat quietly and reflected, the sadness of what happened in that room weighed heavily upon me. Yet at the same time, my heart was filled with an overwhelming confirmation that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God.
It was a deeply sacred moment. In the very place where he and his brother Hyrum gave their lives, I felt a powerful and unmistakable witness of his divine calling. It was not something I heard or saw, but something I felt deeply within my heart. The sorrow of the martyrdom and the certainty of that spiritual confirmation seemed to come together in a way I will never forget.

Nauvoo

From Carthage, we travelled to Nauvoo.
Nauvoo was beautiful.
Seeing the restored Nauvoo Temple in all its majesty was simply incredible. Several times throughout the day I found myself asking, “How on earth did the early Saints manage to build such a magnificent structure in the early 1840s?”
The temple stands as a remarkable testament to their faith, sacrifice, and devotion. As I looked at its beauty, I could not help but think of the hardship that accompanied its construction.
These faithful Saints gave so much to build a house for the Lord, only to be forced to leave it behind.
Within a short time, many would cross the Mississippi River in the bitter cold of February 1846, fleeing persecution and mobs, uncertain of what lay ahead but determined to follow their faith.
The contrast was striking.
Such beauty born from such sacrifice.
While in Nauvoo, we also had the opportunity to meet with one of our former missionaries from our time serving in Belgium and the Netherlands, Brigitta Broadbent. What a joy it was to spend time together, catch up on her life, and reminisce about treasured memories from our years of service.
As the day came to an end, I found myself reflecting on the faith of those early Saints. Their sacrifices were immense. They endured hardship, persecution, and loss, yet remained steadfast in their devotion to the Lord and His gospel.
Yesterday was much more than a visit to important historical sites. It was a day of reflection, remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual confirmation.
I left Carthage with a renewed testimony and a heart full of gratitude.
I left Nauvoo inspired by the faith, sacrifice, and resilience of those who built a city, raised a temple to God, and then left it all behind in order to follow Him.
It is a day many will never forget.
What spiritual experiences have strengthened your own testimony in unexpected ways?

The Stones Remain

One of our favourite experiences over the last few days has been spending a wee bit of time again with my missionary companion Marty Andrews and his wife Wendy.
Each day we carve out an hour or two to spend together.
One favourite moment for Marty and me was at the Palmyra, New York Temple, overlooking the Sacred Grove and the Joseph Smith Family Home.
Forty-one years ago, in a small, forested area near Saffron Walden in England, as young missionaries, Marty and I shared a moment that was sacred to us as we knelt in prayer together.
There were no heavenly manifestations like those experienced by Joseph Smith, but there came a powerful and unmistakable knowledge that the work in which we were engaged was indeed true.
And now, four decades later, we found ourselves walking together through another forest, this time beside the temple in Palmyra.

Memories

As we walked, memories and tears flooded back. We were overwhelmed by our thoughts and emotions as we embraced and reflected on the sacred nature of all that had happened in our lives since those early days as missionaries.
Marty explained the significance of a line of stones piled together along the edge of the forest. Just over 200 years ago, as recorded in journals of the day, Joseph Smith and members of his family cleared that very land in preparation for planting crops. The stones they removed were gathered and placed along the boundary of the field.
Resting there on the edge of the forest, they looked almost like a defensive wall.
We gazed upon the stones for a while and sat upon them considering what message there was in that moment for us.
For nearly two centuries those stones have remained where they were placed.
Generations have come and gone. Seasons have changed. Storms, snow and sunshine have all left their mark. Yet the stones remain.
We could only imagine the toil and sacrifice required to clear that land. Day after day, Joseph and his family would have lifted countless stones from the soil, carrying them one by one to the edge of the field. It must have been demanding work, but necessary if something worthwhile was to grow.

Testimonies

As we sat there, I wondered if testimonies are built in much the same way.
Rarely are they formed in a single dramatic moment. More often they are built stone by stone through prayer, service, scripture study, obedience, sacrifice and countless small acts of faith. Over time, those experiences are gathered together until they form something strong enough to withstand the seasons of life.
Much has changed since our prayer together in 1985 in Saffron Walden. Life has brought joy and sorrow, success and disappointment, unexpected blessings and difficult challenges. Yet the witness we received that day remains.
Perhaps that is one of the purposes of sacred experiences. They become spiritual stones of remembrance that we can return to throughout our lives, reminding us of what we once knew and still know to be true.
As Marty and I sat together on those old stones overlooking the temple and the Sacred Grove, we felt grateful – not only for testimonies that have endured, but for a friendship that has flourished.
Some things, when built upon a sure foundation, grow stronger with time.
Which experiences have become the foundation stones of your testimony?

When Love Leads

With the recent passing of President Russell M. Nelson, we have seen some changes in the senior leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It caused me to reflect upon some moments that I have had with them.
I love and sustain President Dallin H. Oaks, and those who have been called as prophets, seers, and revelators in these latter days.
A few years ago, Monic and I had some personal experiences with President Oaks that have remained deeply etched in our hearts. Moments that we cherish and will remember forever.

Genuine Love

What touched us most was his kindness and quiet strength, as well as a spirit of humility and meekness that seemed to surround him. There was a warmth in his presence, a gentleness in his manner, and a genuine love that could be deeply felt.
He led with conviction, yet always with a Christlike compassion that touched every heart around him.
I testify that he, and all who are called to serve as prophets of God, are endowed with divine gifts and guidance. As we listen to their counsel and align our lives with the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will find peace, direction, and an increased capacity to love and serve others.
The key is to follow the Living Prophet.

Hearken

The Lord blesses us when we hearken to the voice of His chosen servants. Their messages invite us to come unto Christ and truly live.
I know that Heavenly Father reveals knowledge and truths to His children on earth through His servants the prophets. In Amos 3:7 we read “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Are you troubled by the turmoil in the world today?
If your heart feels heavy, if life seems uncertain, or if you’re simply searching for greater light, joy, and purpose, please don’t give up the search.
Turn to the words of living prophets. Explore these revealed truths for yourself. Listen with faith and let their inspired counsel lift and guide you.
I love and support President Dallin H. Oaks as he stands as a living witness and mouthpiece of the Lord Jesus Christ, a humble servant through whom God’s love and direction reaches all of humankind.
My invitation is to come and listen to a prophet’s voice and discover the peace that only Christ can bring.
Speak with our missionaries today.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Looking Up

Last weekend, speaking at General Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave one of the most moving talks I’ve ever heard.
With his “diminished” yet powerful voice, his brief rendition of 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 was electrifying.
A quite remarkable testimony of Jesus Christ that touched my heart.
His spirit filled words, were an incredible witness of truth, “𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.”
And it was a witness that will linger in my soul and millions of others for generations to come.
As we were still processing the spirit of it all, Megan sent this photo of our 10-month-old grandson, Oscar.
There he stood, steadying himself on the TV stand, literally looking up to Elder Holland.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Oscar, with childlike awe and curiosity, looking up to a man I’ve looked up to for decades.
It was far more than cute.
It was profound.
The Lord asks us to become as little children, not because they know more, but because they see more clearly.
In a world that often pulls our eyes downward, here was a reminder to all of us to keep looking up, to faith, to truth, to those who lead with love and light.
And in that small, ordinary moment in the living room, we caught a glimpse of something eternal: one generation quietly passing on reverence to the next.
Oscar doesn’t know who Elder Holland is yet, but maybe he sees more than we realise, the kind of seeing that only a child can.
Someday he will and he is clearly already tuning in.
And perhaps for Oscar, in his own innocent way, “𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦” too.
“One thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25
And when he really does, I hope he knows that his family has always looked up, to apostles, to the Saviour, and to the hope that binds us all together.
Who have you looked up to that helped you see more clearly?

Lit with Fire and Faith

Every six months, I sit down to watch the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My expectations were high, as with the passing of President Nelson last week, there was always going to be some unknowns whilst the church enters an apostolic interregnum, wherein the Quorum of the Twelve serves as the presiding body until a new First Presidency is appointed.
Yesterday, Monic, Amilya, Hazel (2 visiting BYU students) and I settled down, to listen to the messages of hope and inspiration for the world.
As we watched Conference together with freshly baked banana bread in hand, slippers on, and a blanket or two making the rounds, I found myself deeply grateful for this opportunity to learn.
There were many inspirational speakers, who shared the feelings of their heart.
But for me there was one who shone brightly.

On Fire

Elder Kevin G. Brown spoke on “The Eternal Gift of Testimony.”
Sustained as a New General Authority Seventy only six months ago, this was his first time speaking in General Conference.
He spoke with a passion, a fire and a zeal that was simply incredible.
He was so animated and enthusiastic about the message he shared.
“If you know, 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖. I know that I know.”
There is no denying his conviction and the unmistakable authority of one who knows.
He knows and it shows.
He went on to say that “it is worth every effort to pursue this path to testimony” and it was clear that in his lifetime, he had pursued the path to a sure testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Storm Amy had swept through Scotland yesterday and left our wee nation a bit battered and bruised.
It was still a little grey and a bit drizzly outside after the storm, but inside our home things were different.
From his Jamaican roots, Elder Brown brought not just the blistering heat of his homeland, but some thunder too, setting the conference centre ablaze (and our home too) with fire and power through his personal testimony and fearless witness of the Saviour.
His passion, power and sincerity were palpable throughout, he certainly shook me and set me on fire once more.
There are still a few sessions to go, and if you haven’t tuned in yet, I’d really encourage you to watch.
There is something powerful about hearing these messages live, wherever you are in the world.
Who or what has stood out to you so far?
And a short postscript – I KNOW TOO!

Every Day Counted

My mum, brother Paul, and niece Linsey, have all been celebrating birthdays this week.
Many family members will gather today to celebrate mum’s 90th birthday this week.
Ten years ago, on her 80th, we stood (all much younger) in a garden and snapped these photos, I’m sure there will be more today.
Look closely and you’ll see a cheeky wee smiler tucked in one corner.

Numbering the Days

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
There’s something powerful about this verse when you’re celebrating someone who’s lived more than 32,800 days.
But this isn’t just about counting time—it’s about valuing it.
We all know that mortality is very brief, yet so immeasurably important.
The older I become, the more I understand that numbering our days isn’t a maths problem.
It’s a spiritual practice.
It reminds us life isn’t about how long we live, but how well we love.

A Life of Love

In John 15:12 we read, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
I can’t think of a better way to describe how my mum has lived.
Through happy times and challenging times, through grief and many changes, along with every twist that life has brought her way, she’s remained rooted, steady and faithful in her knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ.
I love the line from C. T. Studd’s poem, “Only one life” …
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Mum’s constancy has been like a gospel soundtrack running in the background of all our lives.
Never demanding attention, just always there.
Always playing.
Her love has outlasted storms, outlived losses, and held our family together as our Matriarch and constant example for years.
So today mum, we come together to honour all that you are and all that you have become.
A celebration not just of age, but of endurance and unshakable faith.
Of a mum who abides in a gospel life filled with love, that never fades.
Mum’s days have truly been numbered and have truly counted for all of her family and friends.
Thank you for enriching all of our lives.
Whose quiet faith and love have shaped your life?

My Witness

Throughout my life, I have witnessed many physical events that have changed the world.
I can sign up and say I’ve seen them all.
On July 13th, 1985, The Live Aid concerts held in London and Philadelphia, that were broadcast to the world, raised $125 million dollars in relief aid to famine-stricken eastern Africa.
A few months later on January 28th, 1986, just over a minute after lift-off from the Kennedy Space Centre, the space shuttle Challenger exploded, killing all seven crew members.
On November 9th, 1989, as the Cold War began to ease, the destruction of the wall in Berlin that led to millions of people celebrating in the streets across the world.
1994 – Nelson Mandela elected President of South Africa.
1997 – Princess Diana dies in car crash
2001 – 9/11
2004 – Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2008 – the Great Recession and financial crisis
2020 – the Covid-19 Pandemic
2022 – the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Personal Events

I have also witnessed many personal events.
Graduating from University, getting married, the birth of our children, the death of my gran, my nana, my father and father-in-law and a host of others.
I testify that I have witnessed all of these in my lifetime.
There is, however, a spiritual witness that is more than a singular event.
It has been a constant throughout my life.
Between 1983 and 1985, as an 18-year-old, I served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London.
It was there, acting in faith, in my studies, prayers and service that I received a witness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Twenty centuries ago, the gospel of Jesus Christ turned the world upside down.
Through the great apostasy that true gospel was lost for generations.

Changes

It was in my teenage years, that my witness of and faith in Jesus Christ was impressed upon my mind, which changed my life and gave me great hope, in a battered and troubled world.
I testify, He has made a difference for me, and He will make all the difference for you.
Like so many other Christians today, I refuse to be silent.
My signature if you will, has been added to millions of others.
Jesus Christ will never give up pursuing or loving you.
I witness that He is the only way to find real joy.
Events continue to happen in an ever-changing world, but let me assure you, there is a divine work in progress.
I invite you to come unto Christ, let Him change your world.
© Copyright 2024 Daryl Watson. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Scotland, Company Number SC473068