Conference Talk of the Week

Overview

Elder Neil L. Andersen teaches that faith in Jesus Christ and spiritual courage grow together. When you choose faith in Christ, He gives you courage to choose the right, and each time you act on that courage, your faith becomes stronger. He defines spiritual courage as overcoming obstacles, doubt, and fear in order to choose the right. His examples include Moroni refusing to deny Christ, a young Rosemary Chibota joining the Church in Zimbabwe, President Dallin H. Oaks accepting a demanding calling as a busy young attorney, a family in Spokane who lost their home to fire, and Peter and John testifying of Christ before the rulers who had crucified Him. He also points to quiet places where this courage is built, such as private prayer, the weekly sacrament, and time away from the constant noise of phones and information.

Three Key Takeaways

• 1Faith and courage strengthen each other. Faith in Christ gives you courage to choose the right, and acting on that courage increases your faith. President Oaks said, "Gathering all my faith, I accepted the call," and that decision brought him more faith.
• 2Spiritual courage is often built in private. Elder Andersen quotes President David O. McKay: "The greatest battle of life is fought within the silent chambers of your own soul." Personal prayer and stillness away from phones and the flood of information give you room to win those inner battles.
• 3Courage often looks ordinary: getting up early for seminary, honoring the Sabbath, paying an honest tithing, getting small children to church, or staying true to covenants without marriage. It also means trusting Christ after a loss, like the Woodburys, whose home burned and who said, "Our faith is secure. We can build another house."

Reflection Questions

• Where in your life right now does choosing the right take courage, and how might acting on that choice strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ?
• How much stillness do you have in a typical day without your phone or other input, and what might change in your prayers if you made more room for it?
• Think of a time when you obeyed or served even though you felt inadequate or short on time, as President Oaks did. What happened to your faith afterward?