Robert Frost said “Freedom lies in being bold.”
Although, we are cautioned to "use boldness, but not overbearance. . ."(Alma 38:12).
There is a time to be bold, and a time to be quiet - a time for defending our faith in word and in deed, and a time for suffering afflictions and defending our faith in silence. In our daily scripture study we are reading in Alma. When we read through Alma 14, I noticed that there were 3 documented cases where Alma and Amulek did not say/do anything. The first instance, they were constrained not to do anything when the righteous were being burned, the second and third they didn't speak when they were abused and taunted. Finally, the Lord saw fit in his timing to show forth his power and they walked free of the prison.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
As President Thomas S. Monson has said, “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” (“Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign, May 2014, 69).
I love these messages for women regarding being bold and strong in relief society and as mothers:
In order to do our part as women under the Lord’s plan, we must stand strong and immovable in faith, strong and immovable in family, and strong and immovable in relief. We must excel in these three important areas which set us apart as the Lord’s disciples. (Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 109–12)
"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
(Margaret D. Nadauld)
"The world needs women who will boldly stand for truth and righteousness. It takes courage to shine our light, to be noticed, to stop shrinking in the shadows. It takes work to study the doctrines, know what has been taught about our role, and to then fulfill it. I was thrilled today while reading the words of a hymn to come across these lyrics: "Let each heart be the heart of a lion." I publicly announce (as I have before) that I am a lioness at the gate of my home. I invite each of you to do the same with a renewed resolve to safeguard our families"
(Margaret D. Nadauld)
I love President Monson and his example of courage
Thomas S. Monson was in the US Navy near the end of World War II. The very first Sunday of bootcamp, the officer read out all of the different religious meetings and dismissed all the young men that were of those faiths. Monson stood strong. He recalls thinking “Monson, you are not a Catholic; you are not a Jew; you are not a Protestant. You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!” He goes on to say "I can assure you that I felt completely alone. Courageous and determined, yes—but alone."
He remembers this poem:
Dare to be a Mormon;
Dare to stand alone.
Dare to have a purpose firm;
Dare to make it known.
("Dare to stand alone" -Thomas S. Monson)
Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus - Bruce R. McConkie
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”(Romans 1:16)
"Now what does it mean to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus?, It is to be courageous and bold; to use all our strength, energy, and ability in the warfare with the world; to fight the good fight of faith. “Be strong and of a good courage, ” the Lord commanded Joshua, and then specified that this strength and courage consisted of meditating upon and observing to do all that is written in the law of the Lord. (See Josh. 1:6–9.) The great cornerstone of valiance in the cause of righteousness is obedience to the whole law of the whole gospel."
"To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” It is to “endure to the end.” (2 Ne. 31:20.) It is to live our religion, to practice what we preach, to keep the commandments. It is the manifestation of “pure religion” in the lives of men; it is visiting “the fatherless and widows in their affliction” and keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27.)"
"To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to bridle our passions, control our appetites, and rise above carnal and evil things. It is to overcome the world as did he who is our prototype and who himself was the most valiant of all our Father’s children. It is to be morally clean, to pay our tithes and offerings, to honour the Sabbath day, to pray with full purpose of heart, to lay our all upon the altar if called upon to do so."
"To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is to vote as he would vote. It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father."
("Be Valiant in the Fight of Faith", Bruce R. McConkie)
The courage of faith
President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918): “After we have done all we could do for the cause of truth, and withstood the evil that men have brought upon us… it is still our duty to stand. We cannot give up; we must not lie down. … To stand firm in the face of overwhelming opposition, when you have done all you can, is the courage of faith. The courage of faith is the courage of progress."
Exodus 14:13 …"Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" - Sometimes the Lord requires us to stand still, nevertheless, he still requires us to stand, at all times, in all things, in all places (Mosiah 18:9).
Little mottos:
Stand still but STILL STAND
“Be of good cheer, and do not fear” (D&C 68:6)
I dare to defend, but I don’t care to contend
Love Serene
xo
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