"UNSHAKEN: Building a Rock Solid Testimony," by Hank Smith, Covenant Communications, $11.99, 60 minutes
The latest audio CD, “Unshaken,” from popular full-time religious educator Hank Smith contains scriptures, insights and real-life stories about the process of gaining a testimony of the gospel. Smith bases his presentation on a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “This personal testimony of the gospel and the church is the most important thing you can earn in this life.”
The majority of the 60-minute audio CD focuses on two stories that parallel one another. Two young women that Smith knows investigated the LDS Church. One gained a testimony and became a member. The other young woman did not. His presentation examines the differences of their experiences and attempts to explain the outcomes.
One of the young women is a foreign exchange student who comes to stay with a family in Utah. She wants to experience the culture, so she agrees to attend seminary. She is impressed by how friendly her classmates are and how good she feels inside. Eventually, she approaches Smith to ask his advice about becoming a member of the LDS Church. His counsel and instruction to this young woman is fascinating.
The second young woman from the presentation is reared in a household without religion. Her parents despise it and think religion is for the weak-minded. Because of her parents' addiction to alcohol and abuse she receives at home, this young woman decides to rebel and join a church. She meets with Mormon missionaries and begins her journey. Her story is heartbreaking but has a thought-provoking and inspiring ending.
Much to the aggravation of the audience, Smith jumps from one experience to the other just as he reaches the climax. This creates tension and draws in listeners to ponder on his every word. At one point, the audience audibly gasps when Smith switches from one story to the next. The result is a powerful gospel message that youths and adults are not likely to forget.
Smith uses a variety of techniques to entertain his audience, including powerful storytelling, play-acting and tons of clean jokes and inspiring insights. This is fun and inspired gospel teaching at its best.