As Jesus entered the garden of Gethsemane, He “began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy” (Mark 14:33; see also Matthew 26:37). He said to Peter, James, and John, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38). Elder James E. Talmage observed that Jesus was “enveloped by deep sorrow, which appears to have been, in a measure, surprising to Himself” (Jesus the Christ, Chapter 33: “The Last Supper and the Betrayal”).
Moving away from His disciples He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” But He immediately added, “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39; see also Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42).
In 1829, Joseph Smith received a revelation in which Jesus described what He had felt as He suffered on our behalf:
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:18-19
Book of Mormon authors also used the word “shrink” in this way, to describe pulling back, hesitating to do what we know we must do. For example:
- When Jacob had to deliver a difficult message, he opened his sermon by saying, “It grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts…. But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of God” (Jacob 2:10).
- As the army led by Captain Moroni saw the fierceness of their enemies, “they were about to shrink and flee from them” (Alma 43:48). But Moroni inspired and encouraged them by reminding them what they were fighting for.
In October 1997, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who had recently undergone chemotherapy treatment for leukemia, visited Brigham Young University–Idaho. Elder David A. Bednar, who was serving at the time as president of the university, asked Elder Maxwell what he had learned from his experience. Elder Maxwell responded, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.” (See David A. Bednar, “‘That We Might “Not … Shrink’ (D&C 19:18),” CES Devotional for Young Adults, 3 March 2013. See also Neal A. Maxwell, Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ,” General Conference, October 1997.)
Two years earlier, Elder Maxwell had encouraged us each to ask ourselves the question, “In what ways am I shrinking or holding back?” He suggested that we consider what we have been willing to discard “along the pathway of discipleship,” including “the misuse or underuse of our time and talent.” (See “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father,” General Conference, October 1995.)
When we sing the hymn, “True to the Faith,” we ask the question, “Shall we shrink or shun the fight?” Then, we answer emphatically, “No!”
Today, I will recommit to not shrink from my responsibilities and highest priorities, even when they are difficult. I will remember the example of the Savior, who willingly partook of the bitter cup and “suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning” (3 Nephi 11:11).