In the Book of Mormon, Jarom 1:4, we read: “And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.”
My stubbornness has been subdued by the love I have found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know I have felt the Spirit and, although, I have not seen angels, I am sure that I have been ministered to by them, even to the preservation of my life. I have been saved from serious injury and near death both in times of obedience and in times of disobedience. God isn’t finished with me yet.

My testimony has grown over the years. I was born into a family that had pioneer ancestry on both sides.

My father didn’t join the church until after he met my mother and they were married in Reno, Nevada.
Many years later we were sealed as a family in the Manti temple. My mother was a great-grandaughter of John Doyle Lee and grandaughter of Joseph Leland Heywood, both noteable Mormon pioneers. She was a Prince. Her great-grandfather, George Prince was a convert from South Africa, having migrated there from England. His testimony is noteable and published. Her grandparents served as stake patriarchs and often gave testimony to the truths of the gospel.
My interest in genealogy began early as I thought I was kin to the Dalton Gang and Al Jennings, western outlaw. I later found out that the kinship wasn’t very close. My relatives had done a lot of genealogy and I read about my ancestors and was very impressed. It took me many years to find my connections, but I feel a special kinship to those who set the stage for the Restoration.
As a youth, I was raised by goodly parents and given every opportunity. I became an eagle scout, served a mission in the North Central States, married in the temple, and began to raise a family of seven wonderful children. I had a very righteous wife, but failed to cultivate the closeness that is needed to sustain our marriage, and later divorced. I have recently served as a senior missionary with my wife, Karla. We have a testimony of the value of the Career Workshop.
I feel I have always had a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. It has certainly been tested and grown over the years. My less than stellar journey through parenthood left us with disfunctional and troubled children. However, three of them are active, married in the temple, and serving faithfully. Karl, Kathy, and Donald served on missions.

I have given a lot of reflection to the disinformation that others give regarding the church. My ancestor, John Doyle Lee, supposedly wrote a “Confessions” that tells of unrighteous acts by the church leaders. However, as it was published by others after his death, it is not possible to confirm what was his story and what was given as truth by those who try to destroy faith by publishing doubt. It has, however, given me a springboard to evaluate what I know from the Spirit of Truth and compare it to what is delivered by the agents of the “Author of Deceit”.
Joseph Smith said that his name would be had for good and evil throughout the world. That is true prophecy. He brought forth the Book of Mormon that is the word of God. The testimony comes from reading it. It brings into the heart and mind the desire to live righteously and teaches how to commune with the Holy Spirit. It delivers true testimony. It brings forth good fruit.
My testimony is born in the poetry I write. A few examples can be found at poetry.com and mormonwiki.com. The following are a sampling of what I have written:
A Godly Garden
A Walk in the Woods
Baptism
Boy Scout Basics
He Walked
Integrity
One Starlight Night
Returning Home

This poem is written for this sharing of testimony. May it convey the Spirit to the reader!

My Testimony

I have a testimony.
Yes, I can say it’s true.
God has walked beside me
and helped to pull me through.

Doubt and faith can not both share
the same invading space.
Faith is a gift of God, my friend.
With it your doubt erase.

Faith, Repentance, Baptism,

They lead you to the gate.

Enter obediently into His arms.

Let Him there embrace.

The Holy Ghost is your friend.
He testifies of Christ.

He calls upon our memory.
His counsel, there, is wise.

Ask, Knock, Invite Him in.

Our Savior has come to stay.
We can know his will for us.

He asks us all to pray.

I’ve asked my Heavenly Father.

Is there only one?
One way, one hope, one path?

He answered, Yes, my son.

So did brother Joseph.

He saw them both, divine.
My testimony is my witness.
And yes, It’s truly mine!

Val John Jennings is a published poet, genealogist, webmaster, scouter, grandparent and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Karla, reside in Norfolk, Virginia.

English

My testimony in Spanish

Sto imparando a confidare sempre di più in Lui e a credere nel Suo potere eterno.

So che grazie a Gesù Cristo e tramite il pentimento potrò tornare alla sua presenza nel Regno Celeste se mi manterrò degno.

So che il matrimonio è ordinato da Dio e credo nel potere di suggellamento di questa alleanza stipulata nel sacro tempio.

So che gli Articoli di Fede mi aiutano di più a credere in Dio e nella chiesa SUG.

Io sono grato per il sacerdozio che detengo e uso nel nome di Dio. So che il Libro di Mormon è la parola di Dio e che è la chiave di volta della chiesa e che mi rafforza spiritualmente quando lo leggo, e che davvero può cambiare la vita delle persone.

So che la felicità proviene dall’osservanza dei comandamenti di Dio.

So che abbiamo bisogno di imparare di più a parlare con Dio e riporre in Lui la nostra vita ed Egli ci benedirà in eterno come sta facendo con me nella mia vita e in quella della mia amata compagna eterna.

Nel nome di Gesù Cristo. Amen.

My Testimony: Mormon Missionaries are men of God