President James E. Faust on true belief and action overcoming fear

President James E. Faust (1920-2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The Savior's words to the leader of the synagogue capture the essence of this story: 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36). These five words comprise my message to you.

"We must believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost (see Mosiah 4:9). We must believe in the Atonement and the Resurrection of the Savior. We must believe in the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern. We should also believe in ourselves.

"Believing requires action. If you prepare to walk down the path of life, you can be rewarded beyond your dreams and expectations. But to achieve this, you must work very hard, save, be wise, and be alert. You must learn to deny yourselves of worldly gratification. You must be faithful in paying tithes; you must keep the Word of Wisdom; you must be free from other addictions. You must be chaste and morally clean in every respect. You should accept and be faithful in all of the calls that come to you. Steadiness and toil will serve you better than brilliance."

- James E. Faust, "Pioneers of the Future: 'Be Not Afraid, Only Believe'," Ensign, Nov. 1997, p. 45
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The five simple words of the Savior's admonition as recorded in Mark are, to me, among the most profound and influential of His instructions. "Be not afraid, only believe." These words encapsulate guidance for dealing with a complex and sometimes confusing mortality, and provide the essence of the message of discipleship. They emphasize the important distinction between fear and faith, encouraging us to overcome the former with the latter. If we truly grasped the full import of this simple invitation and accepted it completely, much would be clarified and simplified in our lives.

Believe what? President Faust offers some suggestions: believe in God, the Savior, the Holy Spirit; believe in the power of the Atonement and Resurrection on our behalf; believe in prophets sent to represent God; believe in our own capacity to follow and find happiness.

But belief is not passive; true, sincere, heart-felt belief implies and requires action:

It's in the "deny[ng] yourselves of worldly gratification" that our incomplete belief is sometimes manifest, particularly as we allow those things to intervene in the actions that demonstrate true belief. The true and faithful disciple will demonstrate "steadiness" in the path, and not scattered instances of brilliance.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson on letting our light shine

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (b. 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"Recently, as I participated with Elder Quentin L. Cook in a conference with many other priesthood leaders, he counseled, 'Don't be in camouflage.'  He went on to emphasis how it is important that we stand up and stand out. I believe he was addressing another type of fear—the fear of being ridiculed for one's beliefs.

"Today’s cultural landscape is full of those who would mock and ridicule our beliefs. We worry that if we express our peculiar beliefs—and they are peculiar—that this will somehow become an embarrassment, or ultimately, a disadvantage in our professional or social relationships. But we shouldn’t hide among the shadows, trying to blend in. 'Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid' (Matthew 5:14)....

"It is more important than ever to be willing to express your values and beliefs—particularly in today’s society, where people are stumbling around in the midst of darkness. You can express your faith with words, but especially by the way you live your life. 'Be strong and of a good courage' (Joshua 10:25). There are those out there who are hungry for the light of truth that you have. 'Let your light so shine before men' (Matthew 5:16).

"Remember that the flame of conviction, truth and testimony inside you is bright enough to vanquish your fear of ridicule for your beliefs."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "Conquer Fear with the Fire of Faith," BYU-Hawaii commencement address, April 18, 2015
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It's not unusual to be worried about having our beliefs ridiculed. We want to make a good impression, to have others think well of us. But we also want to share things that are precious to us with others. We just worry that they may not understand them or find them as precious as we do; and sometimes we're afraid that the criticism may lead to "disadvantages" in social or professional settings. So we hesitate.

Elder Stevenson encourages boldness and courage in letting our light shine; too many around us are struggling and stumbling in the darkness of today's world:

The final point is a powerful one.  It is "the flame of conviction, truth and testimony" in our hearts that will "vanquish your fear of ridicule for your beliefs." When the fire is strong, the fear fades away in the desire to share and bless.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on Christlike love and true righteousness

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (born December 3, 1940) served as Church Commissioner of Education from 1976-1980, as the president of BYU from 1980-1989, as a Seventy from 1989-1994, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1994.

"Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others. Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once).

"Friends, especially my young friends, take heart. Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world....

"Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them. A long history of inspired voices, including those you will hear in this conference and the voice you just heard in the person of President Thomas S. Monson, point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, 'with... steadfastness in Christ, ... a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men' (2 Nephi 31:20). In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall (see Helaman 5:12)."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship," Ensign, May 2014, pp. 6-9
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Elder Holland suggests an interesting premise: we can not truly express Christlike love unless we are living a Christlike life. Righteousness must accompany the emotion. In order to live as He lived, to love as He loves, "we must forsake transgression." Not only that, we must avoid any condoning or advocacy of sin; we must in every case stand for truth. But the promise is powerful; "Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world."

Elder Holland encourages us to "Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all"—sometimes that is hard to do. If we listen carefully to the "inspired voices" who guide and encourage us, we can find the "path of Christian discipleship" and be able to remain on it. I love Elder Holland's promises; as we "courageously pursue" that path:

• you will forge unshakable faith
• you will find safety against ill winds that blow
• you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer

Elder M. Russell Ballard on the protection of spiritual armor

Elder M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"Long before the world was formed, Satan and those who followed after him raged against the forces of good and tried to overthrow the work of God. That struggle has not ended, only shifted battlegrounds. It is ruthless, and relentless; the objective of the battle is your eternal soul and mine.

"The Apostle Paul spoke of how to arm ourselves for this conflict in these very graphic terms:

"'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

"'Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil....' (Ephesians 6:10-13)

"How do we put on the whole armor of God so that we may, as Paul promises, 'be able to withstand in the evil day'?

"I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body, but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience, covering many more years than you have yet been privileged to live, that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.

"It is a common expression to talk about the 'chinks' in a person’s armor. The definition of the word chink is 'a crack, cleft, ... a narrow opening' (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary [1996], s.v. 'chink,' 361). Should an arrow strike exactly one of the chinks in one’s armor, a fatal wound can result.

"I would like to suggest to you six ways we may protect ourselves by eliminating any chinks or gaps in our personal spiritual armor.

"1. Rely on the Protective Power of Prayer....
"2. Rely on the Protective Power of the Scriptures....
"3. Draw on the Merciful Grace of God....
"4. Watch Yourselves....
"5. Don’t Waste the Days of Your Probation....
"6. Remember That Reverence Invites Revelation."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might," BYU Fireside, March 3, 2002
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The great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil continues to rage; the battlefield is all around us. Paul's original imagery of the "armor of God" still resonates, but Elder Ballard gives a new insight by describing that armor not just as solid metal plates (our usual imagery) but as chain mail made of small, strong rings of metal tightly woven together:

We must actively weave our own mail through "numerous smaller acts" of righteousness and faithfulness. A well-woven mail will continue to provide great flexibility in life, while also providing great protection. Sadly, it doesn't take much of a "chink" in the armor to make it less than secure; and Satan is expert at exploiting chinks.

Elder Ballard gives wonderful advice in this talk about the habits and practices that will provide a secure and strong spiritual armor for us.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks on serving others unselfishly

Elder Dallin H. Oaks (b. August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984.

"Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.

"'If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

"'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it' (Matthew 16:24-25; see also Matthew 10:39)....

"It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires. Many years ago a new missionary in England was frustrated and discouraged. He wrote home saying he felt he was wasting his time. His wise father replied, 'Forget yourself and go to work.' Young Elder Gordon B. Hinckley went to his knees and covenanted with the Lord that he would try to forget himself and lose himself in the Lord's service. (See Ensign, July 1987, 7.) Years later, as a mature servant of the Lord, Elder Hinckley would say, 'He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.' (TGBH p. 588.)"

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Unselfish Service," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 93-96
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Disciples of Christ strive to emulate Him in every way. Unselfish service to others was one of His greatest characteristics during His mortal life, and He encouraged His followers to do likewise. Elder Oaks observes very pointedly, "It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires" in order to focus on the needs of others. And then he shares this wonderful example from a young President Hinckley:

I liked Elder Oaks' postscript to the story of young Elder Hinckley, as he reflected many years later on the blessing that unselfish service is; anyone who who discover the secret "grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the sacred importance of forgiving one another

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"Jesus said it is easy to love those who love us; even the wicked can do that. But Jesus Christ taught a higher law. His words echo through the centuries and are meant for us today. They are meant for all who desire to be His disciples. They are meant for you and me: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you' (Matthew 5:44).

"When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become 'kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving [each other], even as God for Christ's sake [forgave us]' (Ephesians 4:32).

"The pure love of Christ can remove the scales of resentment and wrath from our eyes, allowing us to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees us: as flawed and imperfect mortals who have potential and worth far beyond our capacity to imagine. Because God loves us so much, we too must love and forgive each other....

"Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment.

"We are not perfect.

"The people around us are not perfect (see Romans 3:23). People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.

"Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord's way.

"Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.

"Lay your burden at the Savior's feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ's Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another.

"The merciful will obtain mercy."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," Ensign, May 2012, pp. 70-77
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We are not perfect, and neither are those around us. We make mistakes; so do others. We sometimes offend and hurt one another. But "there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment." President Uchtdorf pleads for greater forgiveness and understanding, since we all need to receive it as well as give it. And no hurt is so great that we can't let it go, with the help of the Savior, once we truly allow His atonement to "change and heal" our hearts.

I love that final line: "Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive." We would each be wise to examine our hearts and our lives, and make sure we are not holding back the forgiveness that He would have us offer to one another.

Elder Dale G. Renlund on the faithful disciple's walk in life

Elder Dale G. Renlund (born November 13, 1952) served in the First Quorum of Seventy starting in 2009, until his call to the Quorum of Twelve in October 2015.

"[Former South African president Nelson] Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, 'I’m no saint—that is, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.'

"This statement—'a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying'—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as 'Latter-day Saints,' we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saints is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.

"Our theology does teach us, though, that we may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively 'relying wholly upon' the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails. In less formal terms, God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying."

- Dale G. Renlund, "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying," Ensign, May 2015, pp. 57-58
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A lot hinges how we interpret the word "saint." Mandela's definition is perfect; it's just someone who keeps on trying. It's a disciple who is firmly on the path and doing his or her best to progress. That progress comes through the Master whom we follow:

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. (2 Nephi 31:19, emphasis added.)

I love the phrase "relying wholly upon" that Elder Renlund quotes. It requires a total and unrestrained commitment to Him in order to walk the path; partial or occasional reliance won't do. Elder Renlund then elaborates:

It's a powerful reminder that God is much more concerned with our present state and direction, than He is about where we came from. We should never forget that!