CHAPTER 7
As we know where we came from and for what cause we do fight, we must have the courage and faith to save us from becoming a casualty on the battlefield of mortality.
1 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
2 Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts--these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe.”
3 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
4 The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. Every day of our lives courage is needed--not just for the momentous events but more often as we make decisions or respond to circumstances around us. Said Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson: “Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.”
Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular.
5 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
6 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
7 Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other. The simple fact is we all need to constantly build faith and overcome sources of destructive disbelief. The Savior’s teaching comparing faith to a grain of mustard seed recognizes this reality (see Matthew 13:31–32). Consider it this way: our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. You might ask yourself this question: “Is my own net faith positive or negative?” If your faith exceeds your doubt and disbelief, the answer is likely positive. If you allow doubt and disbelief to control you, the answer might be negative.
8 We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us--all of us--have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully but also as the determination to live decently. As we move forward, striving to live as we should, we will surely receive help from the Lord and can find comfort in His words. I love His promise recorded in the book of Joshua: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee… Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
9 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
10 Go thy way and do as I have told you, and fear not thine enemies; for they shall not have power to stop my work.
11 You will need bravery and you will need boldness because you are enlisted in the Lord’s army in the last dispensation. This is not a time of peace. That has been so since Satan arrayed his forces against our Heavenly Father’s plan in the premortal existence. We don’t know the details of the combat then. But we know one result. Satan and his followers were cast down into the earth. And since the creation of Adam and Eve, the conflict has continued. We have seen it intensify. And the scriptures suggest that the war will become more violent and the spiritual casualties on the Lord’s side will mount.
12 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
13 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
14 If you take each challenge one step at a time, with faith in every footstep, your strength and understanding will increase. You cannot foresee all of the turns and twists ahead. My counsel to you is to follow the direction of the Savior of the world: “Be not afraid, only believe.”
15 And your whole labor shall be in Zion, with all your soul, from henceforth; yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not fearing what man can do, for I am with you. Amen.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-Psalms 56:4
2-You Know Enough by Neil L. Andersen, October 2008 General Conference
3-Deuteronomy 31:6
4-Be Strong and of a Good Courage by Thomas S. Monson, May 2014 Liahona
5-Psalms 31:24
6-2 Timothy 1:7
7-Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Kevin W. Pearson, April 2009 General Conference
8-Be Strong and of a Good Courage by Thomas S. Monson, May 2014 Liahona
9-D&C 6:33-34
10-D&C 136:17
11-“Man Down!” By Henry B. Eyring, April 2009 General Conference
12-Isaiah 51:7
13-D&C 101:36
14-Pioneers of the Future: “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe” by James E. Faust, October 1997 General Conference
15-D&C 30:11
No comments:
Post a Comment