Courage Born of Our Faith in Jesus Christ

Choose Jesus Christ Despite Opposition

Elder Andersen grounds spiritual courage in faith in Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God whose Atonement makes repentance and resurrection possible. Following Him requires deliberate choices rather than casual commitment. Moroni’s determination to remain faithful illustrates courage in the face of loneliness and opposition.

Faith and courage are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus Christ.

Being His true disciple, overcoming the world, keeping His commandments, and trusting in Him and His promises are not casual pursuits.

Spiritual courage is the triumph over obstacles, doubt, and fear in choosing the right.

And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ.

• Jesus Christ lives a perfect life, suffers for our sins, and rises from the dead; through Him, we can repent, receive forgiveness, and be resurrected.
• Spiritual courage means choosing the right despite obstacles, doubt, and fear.
• Discipleship requires courage in every generation, even when the forms of opposition differ.
• Moroni remains loyal to Jesus Christ despite isolation and threats against believers.
• President Rosemary Chibota’s conversion illustrates how acting on a spiritual witness can bless a family over time.

• Recall a situation in which choosing to follow Jesus Christ means standing apart from others. What helps you act faithfully?
• Think of a spiritual witness that gives you courage to make a difficult decision. How can you describe its influence?
• Consider someone whose quiet loyalty to the Savior strengthens your own discipleship. What specific example can you share?
• Reflect on how gratitude for the Savior’s Atonement helps you face fear, repent, or begin again.

Nourish Faith Through Stillness and Prayer

Elder Andersen contrasts today’s constant flow of information with the quiet moments he experiences while tending cows as a young man. He teaches that our spirits still need stillness to nourish faith in Christ. Private prayer helps us receive courage and win the inward battles that shape our choices.

Times have changed, but our spirits have not changed. We need stillness to nourish our faith in Christ.

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us the desire to humbly kneel alone and pray to our Heavenly Father.

In those quiet moments when we speak with our Heavenly Father privately, independently, we are given the increased courage to choose the right.

As we courageously win the battles of the soul, our faith in our Savior multiplies.

• Constant information, misinformation, and distractions compete for our attention.
• Stillness creates space to nourish faith in Jesus Christ.
• Personal prayer expresses faith and helps us receive greater courage to choose the right.
• Elder Andersen quotes President David O. McKay’s teaching that life’s greatest battle takes place within the soul.
• Courageous victories over inward struggles strengthen faith in the Savior.

• Think of a quiet moment when you become more aware of Heavenly Father’s love or direction. What helps make that moment possible?
• Recall a time when private prayer gives you strength to make a right choice that feels difficult.
• Consider how reducing digital distractions affects your ability to ponder, pray, or recognize spiritual impressions.
• Reflect on an inward struggle you can appropriately discuss without sharing sensitive details. How does turning to Christ help?

Strengthen Faith Through Courageous Covenant Living

Faith in Jesus Christ gives us courage to honor sacrament commitments, accept callings, and keep commandments. Elder Andersen teaches that this relationship works in both directions: faith inspires courageous obedience, and courageous obedience increases faith. Ordinary acts of discipleship become opportunities for spiritual growth.

As we choose faith in Christ, He blesses us with the courage, sometimes in very difficult situations, to choose the right, and as we manifest our courage to choose the right, our faith in Christ strengthens.

Then, with courage, we are true to our covenants, and in turn, the Lord blesses us with increased faith.

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us the courage to accept a calling from our priesthood leaders even when we feel inadequate or without sufficient time to accept the responsibility.

Gathering all my faith, I accepted the call.

• The sacrament gives us an opportunity to witness our willingness to take upon ourselves Christ’s name, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.
• Faith and spiritual courage strengthen each other as we act.
• President Dallin H. Oaks’s acceptance of a demanding calling illustrates faithful service despite competing responsibilities.
• Ministering, living the Word of Wisdom, keeping the law of chastity, honoring the Sabbath, and honestly paying tithing require spiritual courage.
• Seminary, missionary service, marriage and family life, and continued covenant faithfulness when marriage is not possible all provide opportunities to exercise courage.
• Repentance, temple covenants, following living prophets, and responding to the Holy Ghost are expressions of courageous discipleship.

• Recall a calling or assignment that feels beyond your abilities. How does relying on Jesus Christ help you serve?
• Think of a sacrament meeting that renews your determination to keep a particular covenant or commandment.
• Consider a choice to obey when convenience, social pressure, or competing demands make obedience difficult. How does your faith grow?
• Reflect on an act of ministering or an impression from the Holy Ghost that requires you to move beyond your comfort zone.
• Identify a small, repeated act of discipleship that develops courage in you or your family.

Trust the Savior Through Loss and Grief

Elder Andersen teaches that faith in Jesus Christ sustains courage when illness, financial hardship, disaster, or betrayal disrupts life. The Woodbury family’s response to losing their home and a woman’s testimony amid marital betrayal illustrate trust that endures deep pain. Hope in Christ does not remove every challenge, but it helps disciples resist despair.

Our family is safe, and our faith is secure. We can build another house.

Their faith in Jesus Christ lifted their courage, and their courage has elevated their faith.

But with courage born of her faith, she powerfully declared that in happiness or unspeakable grief, she would trust in the rock of her salvation, her Savior, Jesus Christ.

With our hope alive in Christ, even with life’s challenges, we too may be, as the Apostle Paul said, “troubled on every side, yet not distressed; … perplexed, but not in despair.”

• Faith in Christ provides courage when unforeseen circumstances overturn familiar routines and expectations.
• The Woodbury family’s trust in the Savior remains secure even when fire destroys their home.
• A faithful woman’s testimony demonstrates that trust in Jesus Christ can coexist with profound grief.
• Christian hope allows us to acknowledge real suffering without surrendering to despair.
• The courage to continue trusting God through hardship can deepen our faith.

• Recall a difficult season when faith in Jesus Christ helps you take the next step without knowing the outcome.
• Think of someone who demonstrates hope during loss or disappointment. What can you share while protecting that person’s privacy?
• Consider a time when prayer, covenants, or support from fellow disciples helps you remain spiritually grounded.
• Reflect on how the Savior helps you find hope even when a painful situation remains unresolved.

Follow Christ and Receive His Promised Strength

Elder Andersen promises that strengthening faith through belief, discipleship, and obedience brings answers and increased spiritual power. He connects this promise with the Savior’s teaching that those who love Him keep His words. Courageous faithfulness shapes our eternal souls and deepens our relationship with the Father and the Son.

I promise you that as you strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ by believing and following Him and keeping His commandments, your answers will come, your spiritual power will increase, and your courage in following Christ will define your eternal soul.

If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

• Faith grows as we believe in Jesus Christ, follow Him, and keep His commandments.
• Elder Andersen promises answers and greater spiritual power to those who strengthen their faith in this way.
• Courage in following Christ helps shape our eternal identity.
• The Savior connects love for Him with keeping His words.
• The Father and the Son promise a close relationship with those who love and obey the Savior.

• Think of a time when acting on what you already know helps you receive additional understanding or direction.
• Recall how keeping a commandment strengthens your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
• Consider a period when spiritual strength grows gradually rather than through a dramatic experience. What helps you recognize that growth?
• Reflect on a faithful choice that shapes the person you are becoming. How can that experience illustrate Elder Andersen’s promise?

Bear Courageous Witness of the Living Christ

Elder Andersen presents Peter and John as examples of courageous testimony rooted in their witness of the resurrected Savior. Filled with the Holy Ghost, they openly attribute a man’s healing to Jesus Christ despite opposition from rulers. Elder Andersen adds his own apostolic witness that Jesus Christ lives and guides His restored gospel.

It is our faith in Christ that gives us the spiritual courage to speak openly with others about our Savior, make covenants in the house of the Lord, repent and receive forgiveness, follow living prophets, and be guided by the quiet impressions of the Holy Ghost.

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see.

As Peter and John of old, I too witness the reality of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”

He lives. He guides this holy work, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Peter and John personally witness the reality of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.
• Filled with the Holy Ghost, they testify courageously before disbelieving rulers.
• They identify Jesus Christ as the source of the healing rather than taking credit themselves.
• Faith in Christ gives disciples courage to speak openly about Him.
• Elder Andersen bears apostolic testimony that the living Savior directs His restored gospel.

• Recall an opportunity to speak about Jesus Christ when you feel hesitant. What helps you share sincerely and respectfully?
• Think of a testimony of the Savior that strengthens your faith. Which truth makes the deepest impression?
• Consider a moment when the Holy Ghost helps you express a spiritual conviction in simple words.
• Reflect on what you personally believe about the living Christ and how you can conclude your talk with an honest, direct testimony.