christian courage

Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship
1) Why would someone want to be an antagonist or to attack us? As Christians? As Members? As People?
► D&C 123:12-“For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they do lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”
► “We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice.”
► This is really about dealing with people in general – not just persecutors.
► The answer really boils down to 3 principles.
o Principle #1- “One of mortality’s greatest tests come when our beliefs are questioned or criticized” 2 Nephi 2:15-16 – “It must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.”
o Principle #2- “Evil will always be with us in this world. Part of mortality’s great test is to be in the world without becoming like the world.” John 17:15- “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
o Principle #3- Moses 1:39- “For this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The entire Purpose of everything
2) Are we the only people/person to face antagonists or attackers or simply unpleasant people?
► Savior- Isaiah 53:3 – “He is despised and rejected of men”
► 1 Nephi 8:26-28 “And they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.”
► John 17:14- “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
3) How are these really opportunities rather than challenges?
► “True Disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition”
► “But when we respond to our accusers as the savior did, we not only become more Christ like, we invite others to feel His love and follow him as well.”
► “In 1983 the First Presidency wrote to Church leaders: “Opposition may be in itself an opportunity. Among the continuing challenges faced by our missionaries is a lack of interest in religious matters and in our message. These criticisms create… interest in the church …This provides an opportunity [for members] to present the truth to those whose attention is thus directed toward us.”
► The presidency also made a promise: “The opposition which may seem hard to bear will be a blessing to the kingdom of God upon the Earth.”
4) Which is more important convincing others we’re right or sharing God’s love with others?
► “As true Disciples, our primary concern must be others’ welfare, not our personal vindication.”
► “Questions and criticisms give us an opportunity to reach out to others and demonstrate that they matter to our Heavenly Father and to us. Our aim should be to help them understand the truth, not defend our egos or score points in a theological debate.”
o Notice the UNDERSTAND – not convince, convert
5) How do we respond in a Christ like way?
► We need the spirit
o 1 Corinthians 2:4 – “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power.”
o “To respond in a Christ like way cannot be scripted or based on formula. The savior responded differently in every situation. When he was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When he stood before Pilate, He bore a simple testimony of his divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’(Luke 23:34)”
► Loving others in a tolerant and compassionate way
o “When we do not retaliate – when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger – we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return.”
o “We love them. Whatever their race, creed, religion, or political persuasion, if we follow Christ and show forth His courage, we must love them. We do not feel we are better than they are. Rather, we desire with our love to show them a better way – the way of Christ.”
► Avoid Contention
o 3 Nephi 11:29 – “for verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, nut is of the devil, who is the father, of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.”
o Psalm 37:1 –“Fret not thyself because of evildoers.”
o “More regrettable than the church being accused of not being Christian is when Church members react to such accusations in an un-Christ like way!”
o “Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened – and the devil laughs – when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors.”
o “We too have a great work to do, which will not be accomplished if we allow ourselves to stop and argue and be distracted.”
► Respond with the spirit
o Gal 5:22-23- “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
o Gifts of the spirit- these are times when it truly is a gift because it’s very difficult to respond in a Christ like way with out that extra gift or help from the spirit. Enabling power of the atonement.
o worksheet
► Teach Doctrine and bear testimony
o “This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We cannot change the doctrines of the restored gospel, even if teaching and obeying them makes us unpopular in the eyes of the world. Yet even as we feel to speak the word of God with boldness, we must pray to be filled with Holy Ghost. We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance. True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride.”
o “Our heartfelt testimonies are the most powerful answer we can give our accusers. And such testimonies can only be borne in love and meekness.”
o True doctrine understood changes better than the study of behavior changes behavior. Also Joseph Smith once stated that “He taught them correct principles and they governed themselves.
5) Why is it difficult to respond in a Christ like way – what inhibits our ability to do so?
► “Some people mistakenly think responses such as silence, meekness, forgiveness, and bearing humble testimony are passive or weak. But to “love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]” takes faith, strength, and most of all courage.”
► Natural man is an enemy to god.
6) How do we develop the ability to respond in a Christ like way?
► At home with our families
o “These qualities are first learned in the home and family and can be practiced in all our relationships… If we listen to the answer given by the spirit, we can, if needed, make corrections, apologize, seek forgiveness, and do better.”
o “We need them and they need us. As President Monson has taught, “Let us learn respect for others… none of us lives alone – in our city, our nation, or our world.”
► Learn when and how to be quiet
o In [some] instances, we are better off to keep our distance and simply walk away. As we do, some may try to provoke us and engage us in argument…By arguments and accusations, some people bait us to leave the high ground. The high ground is where the light is. It’s where we see the first light of morning and the last light in the evening. It is the safe ground. It is true and where knowledge is. Sometimes others want us to come down off the high ground and join them in a theological scrum in the mud. These few contentious individuals are set on picking religious fights, online or in person. We are always better staying on the high ground of mutual respect and love.”
o Try being silent and see how your kids and spouse react when they are simply trying to fight with you. Like sister Barbera said once of her grandmother- it takes to two have a fight.
Promise: “If we follow Christ and show forth His courage, we must love them. We do not feel we are better than they are. Rather we desire to show them a better way – the way of Jesus Christ. His way leads to the gate of baptism, the strait and narrow path of righteous living, and the temple of god. He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Only through Him can we and all our brothers and sisters inherit the greatest gift we can receive – eternal life and eternal happiness. To help them, to be an example to them is not for the weak. It is for the strong.”
Moses 1:39- “This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Savior verses Me
The greatest Example Ever follower that is very imperfect
He has overcome all things nothing without God

Goal to experiment upon the word!
Try it in your families and work - FHE
Record and report to anyone- next FHE

This week Brig and I have been experimenting with our children. As ever parent or any person that has ever worked with children knows: They are great at pushing all your buttons. My kids know how to make me blow my top better than my siblings growing up. But all the yelling, nagging, lecturing, time outs, etc, seem to fall on deaf ears and we just end up in a day long war, until one of us takes a nap or a time out – usually me. But we’ve been trying to respond differently to them. We feel like yelling, speak calming. Ask questions and retaining eye contact. Praise instead of lectures.
My experiment – my better reaction has opened the way for teaching the principle of things rather than mom’s always right – among other teaching moments and the spirit is able to help me recognize them and use them because he’s still there.
WOW! I feel more in tune with the spirit, we both respond better and I think they are learning not to react with yelling just like I am.
In my experiment I am learning that I am showing love by taking time to help them understand my views and theirs, rather than convincing them that I am right.
o What are we missing in the time to argue and pout that is more important?
Bedtime being calm I can suggest pray for them bedtime fears, a listening ear for their concerns, and explaining the “doctrine of bedtime” I go in less times.
o How are we doing with responding in a Christ like way in our homes to every day accusations and disagreements? If we can’t do this with simple little things than how can we do it with the large ones?








Fruits of the Spirit Matching

Love
Harmony in human relations, tranquility, quietness; comfort, contentment, order, silence peace
Guileless
Belief without proof; “to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true,” “to have confidence in something or someone” faith
Joy
“Manifesting patience and longsuffering: enduring injury without resentment… is not weakness.” Humility, teachable, contrite Meekness
Peace
Virtuous; pure; well- behaved; valid; genuine; pleasant agreeable; what is right, just or desirable, better Goodness
Longsuffering
Mild in manner or disposition; tender; peaceful; tame; not rough or harsh; kind, merciful, gracious Gentleness
Gentleness
To have a childlike innocence, to be slow to take offense and quick to forgive… it is to look for our own fault first. When accused, we should ask as the Savior’s apostles did, “Lord, is it I?”
Goodness
Bearing injuries and provocations with patience, patience long suffering
Faith
Moderation, self-mastery Temperance
Meekness
Any strong liking or affection, charity, benevolence, friendship, grace love
Temperance
Exultant satisfaction, keen delight, cheerfulness, delight, gladness, happiness, pleasure joy