There can be many reasons for us to hesitate to speak up. We may want to give other people a chance to talk. We may still be formulating our opinion. We may be concerned that we will say something that offends or escalates tensions. There are certainly times when silence is the best option, but disciples of Christ are willing and even eager to speak up when needed.
After Alma met with his three sons, they “did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth” (Alma 43:1). This restlessness is also evident in Moroni’s description of Ether during the hostile reign of Coriantumr, the final Jaredite king:
He could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him.
For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance.
Ether 12:2-3
In contrast, the Lord called out church members in 1831 who were unwilling to share the gospel:
With some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
Doctrine and Covenants 60:2
The recipients of this revelation embarked on an ill-conceived canoe journey down the Missouri River shortly after, even though the Lord had instructed them to preach the gospel during their journey. After a particularly frustrating day, the Lord explained to them where they were going wrong:
It is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief.
Doctrine and Covenants 61:3
Did they realize that they were avoiding interactions with strangers? Or were they, perhaps subconsciously, making seemingly innocuous decisions that distanced them from other people?
These revelations raise the following questions for us:
- What barriers do we place which prevent us from engaging with the people around us?
- What topics do we need to bring up in our relationships, and how can we overcome our fear of doing so?
- Do we take full advantage of the opportunities the Lord gives us to testify of truths and to express love and support for other people?
In our modern world, we have increased opportunities to “open our mouths.” Alma, Ether, and church members in 1831 had no cell phones and were unable to text, email, or share messages on social media. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf expanded the Lord’s admonition to modern communication channels:
With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before. … My dear young friends, perhaps the Lord’s encouragement to “open [your] mouths” might today include “use your hands” to blog and text message the gospel to all the world! …
With the blessings of modern technology, we can express gratitude and joy about God’s great plan for His children in a way that can be heard not only around our workplace but around the world. Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone’s life for eternity.
“Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” General Conference, April 2011
Today, I will take advantage of opportunities to share positive messages with the people around me. I will consciously remove barriers that block engagement, and I will not hesitate to share messages that can bless other people.