Ether was unpopular because of the truths he shared. He had to hide in the cavity of a rock, and even after that, he went back to call the king to repentance. Integrity can be lonely, but we need to stand up for what's right, even when it's not popular.
Valiant and True
The 2,000 stripling warriors were valiant—willing to face danger. But they were also true—conscientious in fulfilling their duty. That combination of attributes made them a powerful force, able to defend their country against a formidable enemy.
“I Feared the People”
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.... Pilate was merciful till it became risky.C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, 161 Saul may have been the king, but he was afraid of his people. The first time he failed to follow instructions from the prophet... Continue Reading →
“Be Strong, and of a Good Courage”
As the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses admonished them to move forward and not let challenging circumstances intimidate them: Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail... Continue Reading →
Valiant
The Hebrew word chayil (חַיִל) appears 224 times in the Old Testament. It is sometimes translated "army," sometimes "wealth" or "goods," and sometimes "strength," "might," or "valour." It carries a connotation of power or force that is used to accomplish a purpose. It is not latent power but active power—power in motion. Balaam prophesied, "Israel... Continue Reading →
How Can I “Use Boldess, but Not Overbearance?”
Near the end of his remarks to his son Shiblon, Alma gave him the following advice: Use boldness, but not overbearance (Alma 38:12). To be bold is to be "confident, courageous, and willing to take risks." To be overbearing is to be "unpleasantly overpowering." (Oxford English Dictionary) Boldness is the outcome of an inner battle. You... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be Bold Without Being Overbearing?
Alma gave the following advice to his son Shiblon: "Use boldness but not overbearance" (Alma 38:12). What does that mean? boldness — Willingness to take risks and act innovatively; confidence or courage. overbearing — Unpleasantly overpowering. (Oxford English Dictionary) How can we be bold without being overbearing? We choose to be bold when we speak... Continue Reading →
Awake to a Sense of Your Awful Situation – Ether 8:24
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from... Continue Reading →
There Were Many Before the Days of Abraham – Helaman 8:18
18 Yea, and behold I say unto you, that Abraham not only knew of these things, but there were many before the days of Abraham who were called by the order of God; yea, even after the order of his Son; and this that it should be shown unto the people, a great many thousand... Continue Reading →
Shall the Prey Be Taken from the Mighty? – 2 Nephi 6:16-18
16 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I... Continue Reading →