Be Strong and of a Good Courage
by President Thomas S. Monson
After studying this talk, I was filled with a renewed sense of strength and resolve to always stand up for what is right - no matter what!
I was also thinking that this talk would make a great FHE discussion!
I loved this whole talk. Here are some of the points that really stood out to me.
"We are here upon the earth at a remarkable period in history. Our opportunities are almost limitless. . . ."
What a blessing it is that Heavenly Father chose us to come to earth at this time!
". . . . yet we also face a multitude of challenges, some of them unique to our time."
"We live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the straight and narrow path surround us. We are faced with persistent pressures and insidious influences tearing down what is decent and attempting to substitute the shallow philosophies and practices of a secular society."
". . .we will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which we believe. WILL WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO SO?"
President Monson shares two ways "we can help ourselves in our desire to do what is right".
1. "Put ourselves in places and participate in activities where our thoughts are influenced for good and where the Spirit of the Lord will be comfortable."
"If you ever find yourself where you shouldn't ought to be, get out!"
2. "Be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light."
"Are you the same person wherever you are and whatever you are doing - the person our Heavenly Father wants you to be and the person you know you should be?"
Two examples of this were shared. The first was of an 18-year old seaman in the Navy who, despite the jeers and bullying of the other men in his company, had the courage to kneel every night by the side of his bunk to pray. The second was of another young man who bore a fervent, touching testimony from the pulpit, but a few hours later was seen walking down the sidewalk dressed in scruffy clothes smoking a cigarette.
"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 the 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 that stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular."
"Not all acts of courage bring. . .spectacular or immediate results, and yet all of them do bring peace of mind and a knowledge that right and truth have been defended."
Stand Strong!
Do not trade what you know to be right for approval from others or because it's popular.
"[Have] the courage to do not that which is easy by that which is right."
"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." - Joshua 1:5, 9
Next Week's Talk:
by PRESIDENT Dieter F. Uchtdorf