After purchasing some of the things they seemed to want the most, a thought came to me. Why not buy them paintings of Jesus Christ that they could have in their bedrooms? So, I went to Deseret Book and purchased two different paintings and proceeded to put them in their rooms as early presents. My 8-year-old saw the painting in his older brother’s room and then became ecstatic when he saw that he had not been left out and there was one in his room as well.

I don’t want anything to be more important to them than following Jesus Christ. I want them to “always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77) I want him to be the foundation of their testimonies because I know he can bring peace and happiness far beyond any earthly item.

This was the topic addressed by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the general conference of the church in October.

In his talk, titled “Nourish the Roots, and the Branches Will Grow,” Elder Uchtdorf spoke of strengthening the branches of testimony by deepening faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

He counseled on remembering what is eternal and what is not, not mistaking the branches for the roots, rooting and building up testimonies in Jesus Christ, and the role of faith and habits in making a testimony strong.

To start his address, Elder Uchtdorf shared a personal anecdote that highlighted how his testimony developed.

“The year 2024 is something of a milestone year for me,” he said. “It marks 75 years since I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zwickau, Germany.

“My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is precious to me. To be counted among God’s covenant people, with you, my brothers and sisters, is one of the greatest honors of my life.

“When I think about my personal journey of discipleship, my mind often goes back to an old villa in Zwickau, where I have cherished memories of attending sacrament meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ as a child. It is there where the seedling of my testimony received its earliest nourishing.

“This chapel had an old air-driven organ. Every Sunday, a young man was assigned to push up and down the sturdy lever operating the bellows to make the organ work. I sometimes had the great privilege of assisting in this important task.

“While the congregation sang our beloved hymns, I pumped with all my strength so the organ would not run out of wind. From the bellows operator seat, I had a great view of some stunning stained-glass windows, one depicting the savior Jesus Christ and another portraying Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.

“I can still remember the sacred feelings I had as I looked at those sunlit windows while listening to the testimonies of the saints and singing the hymns of Zion.

“In that holy place, the spirit of God bore witness to my mind and heart that it was true: Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. This is his church. The prophet Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and heard their voices.

“Earlier this year, while on assignment in Europe, I had the opportunity to return to Zwickau. Sadly, that beloved old chapel isn’t there anymore. It was torn down many years ago to make room for a large apartment building.

“I admit that it’s sad to know that this beloved building from my childhood is now just a memory. It was a sacred building to me. But it was just a building.

“By contrast, the spiritual witness I gained from the Holy Ghost those many years ago has not passed away. In fact, it has grown stronger. The things I learned in my youth about the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ have been my firm foundation throughout my life. The covenant connection I forged with my Heavenly Father and his beloved son has stayed with me — long after the Zwickau chapel was dismantled and the stained-glass windows were lost.

“‘Heaven and earth shall pass away,’ Jesus said, ‘but my words shall not pass away.’ (Matthew 24:35; Joseph Smith–Matthew 1:35)

“‘The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord.’ (Isaiah 54:10; 3 Nephi 22:10)

“One of the most important things we can learn in this life is the difference between what is eternal and what is not. Once we understand that, everything changes — our relationships, the choices we make, the way we treat people.

“Knowing what is eternal and what is not is key to growing a testimony of Jesus Christ and his church.”

Like Elder Uchtdorf, I can say that the spiritual witness I gained from the Holy Ghost in my childhood – that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer and that through Joseph Smith he restored his true church on the earth – has not passed away but grown even stronger. Like Elder Uchtdorf said, “the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ have been my firm foundation throughout my life.” Though I’ve not been perfect, my covenant connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has remained with me.

In our quest to strengthen our testimonies, one thing we must be certain not to do is confuse what is simply valuable with what is fundamental. Elder Uchtdorf explained this using the analogy of roots and branches. He explained:

“The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, as the prophet Joseph Smith taught, ’embrace[s] all, and every item of truth.’ But that doesn’t mean that all truth is of equal value. Some truths are core, essential, at the root of our faith. Others are appendages or branches — valuable, but only when they are connected to the fundamentals.

“The prophet Joseph also said, ‘The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the apostles and prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that he died, was buried and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.’

“In other words, Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice are the root of our testimony. All other things are branches.

“This is not to say that the branches are unimportant. A tree needs branches. But as the savior told his disciples, ‘The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine.’ (John 15:4) Without a connection to the savior, to the nourishment found in the roots, a branch withers and dies.

“When it comes to nourishing our testimonies of Jesus Christ, I wonder if we sometimes mistake the branches for the roots. This was the mistake Jesus observed in the Pharisees of his day. They paid so much attention to the relatively minor details of the law that they ended up neglecting what the savior called ‘the weightier matters’ — fundamental principles like ‘justice and mercy and faith.’ (Matthew 23:23)

“If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots. Similarly, if you want the branches of your testimony to grow and bear fruit, nourish the roots. If you are uncertain about a particular doctrine or practice or element of church history, seek clarity with faith in Jesus Christ. Seek to understand his sacrifice for you, his love for you, his will for you. Follow him in humility. The branches of your testimony will draw strength from your deepening faith in Heavenly Father and his beloved son.

“For example, if you want a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon, focus on its witness of Jesus Christ. Notice how the Book of Mormon testifies of him, what it teaches about him and how it invites and inspires you to come unto him.”

Attached to the end of that last paragraph on the website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a footnote where Elder Uchtdorf writes:

“Is it interesting to note archaeological similarities between ancient American cultures and Book of Mormon peoples? It can be. Is it helpful to learn from the accounts of scribes and others about the details of how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon? It is for some. But none of this constitutes a lasting testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. For that, you need to find the Savior in the Book of Mormon, to hear His voice speaking to you. Once this happens, it won’t matter to you where the ancient city of Zarahemla was actually located or what the Urim and Thummim looked like. Those are branches that can be pruned off your tree if needed, but the tree will remain.”

Continuing his talk, he said:

“If you’re seeking a more meaningful experience in church meetings or in the temple, try looking for the savior in the sacred ordinances we receive there. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-20) Find the Lord in his holy house.

“If you ever feel burned out or overwhelmed by your church calling, try refocusing your service on Jesus Christ. Make it an expression of your love for him.

“Nourish the roots, and the branches will grow. And in time, they will bear fruit.”

I am certain I have shared this before, but it is worth resharing. When I was in high school, I had some questions related to the church for which I couldn’t seem to get a satisfactory answer. I remember sitting at home and thinking for the first time, “What if the church isn’t true?” Almost as quickly as that thought came, another thought came into my mind. It was the memory of a prior experience where I felt the Holy Ghost confirming to me that the church was true.

Then, almost like a voice speaking directly to my spirit, came a message. “You know it’s true. You’ve had it told to you before.” In that moment, I realized that I didn’t need to immediately have an answer to this question that was perplexing me.

I believe all of this was the result of nourishing the roots of my testimony consistently throughout my childhood. All of my experiences led to that confirmation from the Holy Ghost that I had temporarily forgotten but that the Holy Ghost brought to my remembrance. Subsequently, the branches grew and bore fruit. Eventually, I did receive an answer to the question I had.

The key to developing a strong testimony is to root and build it up in Jesus Christ. Continued Elder Uchtdorf:

“Strong faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t happen overnight. No, in this mortal world, it’s the thorns and thistles of doubt that grow spontaneously. (Genesis 3:18) The healthy, fruitful tree of faith requires intentional effort. And a vital part of that effort is making sure we are firmly rooted in Christ.

“For example: At first, we may be drawn to the savior’s gospel and church because we are impressed by the friendly members or by the kind bishop or the clean looks of the chapel. These circumstances are certainly important to grow the church.

“Nevertheless, if the roots of our testimony never grow deeper than that, what will happen when we move to a ward that meets in a less impressive building, with members who aren’t so friendly, and the bishop says something that offends us?

“Another example: Doesn’t it seem reasonable to hope that if we keep the commandments and are sealed in the temple, we will be blessed with a large, happy family with bright, obedient children, all of whom stay active in the church, serve missions, sing in the ward choir and volunteer to help clean the meetinghouse every Saturday morning?

“I certainly hope that all of us will see this in our lives. But what if it doesn’t happen? Will we stay bound to the savior regardless of circumstances — trusting him and his timing?

“We must ask ourselves: Is my testimony based on what I hope to happen in my life? Is it dependent on the actions or attitudes of others? Or is it firmly founded on Jesus Christ, ‘rooted and built up in him,’ (Colossians 2:7) regardless of life’s changing circumstances?”

Helaman 5:12 from the Book of Mormon seems appropriate here.

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

We see a similar theme in Matthew 7:24-25: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

There is a lot about life that is uncertain, but one thing that is certain is there will be storms – even fierce storms we have no way of predicting. How do we make sure our testimonies remain intact and secure through these storms? By building them on Jesus Christ. In Matthew we learn that they must be built specifically on doing what Jesus taught. It would be wise to study what Jesus actually taught so we aren’t creating a version of Jesus that is contrary to the one who actually lived.

For those who build their testimonies on Jesus Christ, faith grows and obstacles are overcome. Continued Elder Uchtdorf:

“The Book of Mormon tells of a people who ‘were strict in observing the ordinances of God.’ (Alma 30:3) But then a skeptic named Korihor came along, mocking the savior’s gospel, calling it the ‘foolish’ and ‘silly traditions of their fathers.’ (Alma 30:12-16; 31) Korihor led ‘away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness.’ (Alma 30:18) But others he could not deceive, because to them, the gospel of Jesus Christ was much more than a tradition. (Alma 30:19-20; Mosiah 26:1-4)

“Faith is strong when it has deep roots in personal experience, personal commitment to Jesus Christ, independent of what our traditions are or what others may say or do.

“Our testimony will be tested and tried. Faith is not faith if never tested. Faith is not strong if never opposed. So don’t despair if you have trials of faith or unanswered questions.

“We should not expect to understand everything before we act. That is not faith. As Alma taught, ‘Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.’ (Alma 32:21) If we wait to act until all of our questions are answered, we severely limit the good we can accomplish, and we limit the power of our faith.

“Faith is beautiful because it persists even when blessings don’t come as hoped for. We can’t see the future, we don’t know all the answers, but we can trust Jesus Christ as we keep moving forward and upward because he is our savior and redeemer.

“Faith endures the trials and the uncertainties of life because it is firmly rooted in Christ and his doctrine. Jesus Christ, and our Father in Heaven who sent him, together constitute the one undeviating, perfectly reliable object of our trust. (Hebrews 10:23)

“A testimony is not something that you build once and it stands forever. It’s more like a tree that you nourish constantly. Planting the word of God in your heart is only the first step. Once your testimony starts to grow, then the real work begins. That’s when you ‘nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit.’ It takes ‘great diligence’ and ‘patience with the word.’ But the Lord’s promises are sure: ‘Ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.'” (Alma 32:37, 41-43)

An entire article could be written about all those various points regarding faith that Elder Uchtdorf mentioned. I can’t help but think of my mission experience. Faith was crucial in my success in learning a foreign language well enough to teach the gospel. I didn’t know how exactly it would all come together, but I knew that it would if I worked hard and had faith in Christ, and it did. Nourishing my faith throughout my life has allowed it to persist even when things are hard or when I don’t get certain blessings that I desire. I know I can trust Jesus Christ.

Elder Uchtdorf concluded: “My dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, there’s a part of me that misses the old Zwickau chapel and its stained-glass windows. But over the past 75 years, Jesus Christ has led me on a journey through life that is more thrilling than I could ever have imagined. He has comforted me in my afflictions, helped me to recognize my weaknesses, healed my spiritual wounds and nourished me in my growing faith.

“It is my sincere prayer and blessing that we will constantly nourish the roots of our faith in the savior, in his doctrine, and in his church. Of this I testify in the sacred name of our savior, our redeemer, our master — in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Contact Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net. Follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rbcomer8388 and on X at @rbcomer8388.