I think there are a couple of other rungs higher than #6, though I haven't attained them myself. I'm not sure what to call them either, but I would call #6 of your list discipleship, and above that is what I called 'the big vision' when I was a missionary, in other words the vision of all things that so many prophets have experienced. I always presumed (perhaps incorrectly) that at some point in the conversion process the veil simply can't be kept in place, so 'the big vision' becomes necessary. But then I also think there is a rank above that, that doesn't require 'the big vision,' which is apostleship; special witness for Christ, which is a deeper and higher level than discipleship. I don't believe it requires the priesthood office to attain that degree of testimony, though I doubt very many who aren't apostles reach so far. I've met a few though; usually elderly folks who have reached a point in their testimonies that they no longer seem part of this world, and eat, drink and breathe kindness to reminds one of nothing so much as Christ Himself. I reached level 6 years ago, but backslide all too often, so I can see the dizzying heights above, but so far, I keep climbing back and forth between 4, 5 & 6. Maybe someday (sigh).
AGirl87October 28, 2013
In the words of YW General President, Bonnie L. Oscarson:
If you do not yet have a firmly rooted testimony and conviction that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, now is the time to do what it takes to gain that conviction. To delay making the effort required to earn that kind of conviction can be dangerous to your soul.
True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of gospel principles and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles. It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create
Ann MereOctober 26, 2013
I think it is a pyramid scheme.
svOctober 26, 2013
My 2 cents - testimonies come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. They develop (or not) in vastly different ways from person to person depending on their individual characteristics and the blessings and trials they run into along the way.
Ed WIlsonOctober 24, 2013
Joni;
The first move is to come to the ladder.
First you must chose whom you will serve, and until you have there is no ladder to climb.
When you chose, how long it takes the choice to come, varies through a life time. The choice itself is a fraction twinkling of an eye (a small fraction).
Once you have, your article is illuminating.
Yours
Ed Wilson
BradOctober 24, 2013
good article
Sister B in DCOctober 24, 2013
Each point masterfully crafted. Thanks for reminding me. I have been suffering from a lull. Bringing our sisters to Christ is our whole goal and checking out where I am on the ladder really helped.
Jane NelsonOctober 24, 2013
I love this! I always have this mental image of Lehi's dream when I think about testimony--or the parable of the sower. We are always somewhere in the process and it's nice to think about where we know we need to be.
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Renaissance NerdOctober 30, 2013
I think there are a couple of other rungs higher than #6, though I haven't attained them myself. I'm not sure what to call them either, but I would call #6 of your list discipleship, and above that is what I called 'the big vision' when I was a missionary, in other words the vision of all things that so many prophets have experienced. I always presumed (perhaps incorrectly) that at some point in the conversion process the veil simply can't be kept in place, so 'the big vision' becomes necessary. But then I also think there is a rank above that, that doesn't require 'the big vision,' which is apostleship; special witness for Christ, which is a deeper and higher level than discipleship. I don't believe it requires the priesthood office to attain that degree of testimony, though I doubt very many who aren't apostles reach so far. I've met a few though; usually elderly folks who have reached a point in their testimonies that they no longer seem part of this world, and eat, drink and breathe kindness to reminds one of nothing so much as Christ Himself. I reached level 6 years ago, but backslide all too often, so I can see the dizzying heights above, but so far, I keep climbing back and forth between 4, 5 & 6. Maybe someday (sigh).
AGirl87October 28, 2013
In the words of YW General President, Bonnie L. Oscarson: If you do not yet have a firmly rooted testimony and conviction that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, now is the time to do what it takes to gain that conviction. To delay making the effort required to earn that kind of conviction can be dangerous to your soul. True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of gospel principles and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles. It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create
Ann MereOctober 26, 2013
I think it is a pyramid scheme.
svOctober 26, 2013
My 2 cents - testimonies come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. They develop (or not) in vastly different ways from person to person depending on their individual characteristics and the blessings and trials they run into along the way.
Ed WIlsonOctober 24, 2013
Joni; The first move is to come to the ladder. First you must chose whom you will serve, and until you have there is no ladder to climb. When you chose, how long it takes the choice to come, varies through a life time. The choice itself is a fraction twinkling of an eye (a small fraction). Once you have, your article is illuminating. Yours Ed Wilson
BradOctober 24, 2013
good article
Sister B in DCOctober 24, 2013
Each point masterfully crafted. Thanks for reminding me. I have been suffering from a lull. Bringing our sisters to Christ is our whole goal and checking out where I am on the ladder really helped.
Jane NelsonOctober 24, 2013
I love this! I always have this mental image of Lehi's dream when I think about testimony--or the parable of the sower. We are always somewhere in the process and it's nice to think about where we know we need to be.
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