I am quiet about my beliefs. I don't consistently share "Mormon Messages" videos or general conference talks. I've never wanted people to feel like I'm pushing my beliefs on them somehow, and more than that I have excused myself from contributing to sharing the gospel by telling myself I need to learn more before I can defend it adequately. I don't memorize quotes or scriptures easily, so I can hardly rely on that to help explain what I believe. I can't always put my thoughts and feelings into words eloquently, so I'm afraid I will hinder the message I want to share by struggling with how to say it. I also think that I have an underlying fear of losing friends that don't want to hear about my beliefs, and more importantly how it relates to them.
There is no longer room for fear
What is it I have to fear?
Is it logical to be afraid of losing friends because they don't want to hear about my beliefs? No.. a friend worth having would be respectful about listening to beliefs that are so much a part of who I am.
Should I be afraid of actively involving gospel principles and conversations in dating/relationships? No.. I want to be with someone who also knows and lives what they believe.
Can I defend a fear of being persecuted or ostracized for having beliefs that oppose "popular" opinions today? No, "the son of man hath descended below them all [1]," am I greater than he?
In an October 1988 general conference address, President Ardeth G Kapp said:
"Never before in the history of the Church has there been such a need for [members] who are willing to sacrifice popularity if necessary, suffer loneliness if required, even be rejected if needed, to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ...
It takes courage to do what you know to be right even when it is hard, very hard. But you will never lose your courage unless you choose to...
We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is reaching a climax."This call to arms was given 27 years ago. How much more applicable is it for us today! Our world has seen many advancements since that time, but it also consequently seen an increase in the "powers of evil."
I've wanted to avoid the consequences that might come from standing up for truth, but "it is inevitable that sooner or later [I] will be in the minority in standing for righteousness and in standing for the principles and doctrines of the Church" [2]
The Lord needs fierce defenders of His gospel.
There are many people who stand up and declare the gospel with boldness and courage today. "The scriptures contain countless examples of those who have won their wars even in the midst of very hostile situations.. [Many] had the courage to defend the truth at a time when there were many dissensions and wars which put at risk the very survival of the entire.. nation."[5] There will continue to be people who are willing to stand on the Lord's side. The question at the end of the day is will we be one of them.
It is not enough to lead by example only.
How often is our answer to the question How do we teach people the gospel? "By example"?
It is far easier to let our actions speak for themselves when considering the responsibility the members of the Church have to share the gospel, but if we are truly living what we believe there will come a time when we are questioned about the way we act. That moment will require bold testimony of the guiding principles of Christ's gospel.
"It is not enough just to be good. We must be good for something. We must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for our presence. And the good that is in us must be spread to others. This is the measure of our civility.” [3]This direction from President Hinkley was unfortunate to come across. I am guilty of believing that it is enough for me to quietly work on improving myself and helping those in my immediate circle of influence. I can no longer believe that I don't and can't have an effect on a wider audience. The gospel is for everyone, and it needs to be carried to all corners of the earth before the Savior will come again. I carry a lot of sadness with me for the state of the world we're in. The relentless barrage of tragedy and evil on the news is disheartening and frightening, but having a knowledge of the restored gospel requires us to be the "lights in the world" [6]. "We have a duty to share the truths of gospel.. to stand as a temple beacon, reflecting light to an increasingly dark world. [We] have a charge to keep the light aflame and burning brightly."[7]
"Many of us have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose role it is to reveal and teach the truth of all things.With the privilege of that gift comes the responsibility to seek truth, to live the truth we know, and to share and defend the truth." [4]The time has past for quiet, passive observance of God's commandments. The time has come for fierce defenders of gospel truths and fierce commitment to live by them.
Those who stand for nothing fall for everything
There is no middle ground for us to stand on while the two sides of good and evil oppose one another every day. My mind keeps replaying Alison Krauss' "You say it best when you say nothing at all." In "staying out of the conflict" we allow righteousness to be overshadowed by the loud voices promoting evil, anger, pride, and selfishness. I am not saying that we have a responsibility to argue our beliefs. The gospel is not about arguing or proving a point. It is about lovingly sharing the message of joy that Jesus Christ has died for us, that He has atoned for our sins, and He has prepared a way back to Him.
“It's important that people should know what you stand for. It's equally important that they should know what you won't stand for.”Christ did not quietly allow people to live however they pleased when He walked the earth. He taught the truths of the gospel, corrected unrighteous living and inaccurate beliefs, and lived His life in fierce defense of the truth.
Mary H. Waldrip
Do all that you are able
As I mentioned in the very beginning, I am not an eloquent speaker, but I am not the first to feel that way. Even Moses told the Lord "I am not eloquent.. but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." The Lord spoke to all when he answered "who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."[8]
Growing up with social media has been an undeniable hindrance for me in learning how to speak face to face with people. Being able to rethink, backspace, and correct myself in writing is way easier than building thoughts and putting them into words simultaneously. Up to this point, I have not had enough faith in the Lord's promise to teach me what to say to open my mouth and bear testimony of what I believe. But being a disciple of Christ requires it, and truly I don't have reason to fear. Starting with simply bearing testimony to the truth of the gospel through a blog might be all I can do today. We are taught line upon line, so I do have faith that the more I share my beliefs in any way possible, the easier it will become to do so boldly in person.
Building a testimony of the gospel is a personal, lifelong endeavor. No one can but you can decide to take it seriously and begin to live for it. It is not an easy thing and it is not a check mark you can ever consider completed, but I do know it will be worth it when you feel the joy of standing beside someone who has found real and lasting happiness because you dared to share your beliefs with them.
[3] Gordon B Hinkley "Standing for Something."
[4] Cheryl A Esplin "Filling our Homes with Light and Truth."
[5] Elder Ulisses Soares "Yes, We can and Will Win."
[6] Philippians 2:15
[7] President Thomas S. Monson "Stand as a Light"
[8] Exodus 4:10-12
