Fight the Good Fight

"If men standing in high places sometimes feel the weight and anxiety of momentous times, they should be all the firmer and all the more resolute in those convictions which come from a God-fearing conscience and pure lives"
Joseph Smith

What a blessing to have prophets in these latter days! The world is changing. We are in "momentous times", globally, nationally, as a church, and on personal levels. The Adversary will do what he can to attack us while we are down; when we feel overwhelmed, angry, sad or simply just frustrated and tired. It is in those times that we, those who stand in high places (anyone that strives to follow Heavenly Father is in a high place in contrast to the world) must not stray from what we believe, but be "all the more resolute in those convictions."

In an effort to uplift and strengthen people, we often here the words, "I know it hurts, but just hold on." or "Just have hope that it will be Ok, and it will." While these words may make us feel warm inside, we have a higher calling to live up to. We must not be satisfied with simply licking the wounds the Adversary causes. We must be willing to stand and fight. When we "feel the weight and anxiety of momentous times", responsibilities of who we are, the stresses of life, and the trials we face, we must take strength in the Lord and hold even firmer to our testimonies, to "those convictions which come from a God-fearing conscience and pure lives."

Please don't misconstrue what I am saying. There is a time and place for very deep wounds to heal. There are those who are truly at the point of despair. In those times, great love and care must be present, but the call to remain firm in one's convictions should always be an underlying, if not prevalent, theme.

Salvation does not come cheaply. We cannot afford to nickel-and-dime through this life. We must follow the example of Abraham who "against hope believed in hope...and being not weak in faith...He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what we was promised, he was able also to perform..." (Romans 4:18-21)

Be strong in faith, believe what God has promised, and perform, even under the weight and anxiety of momentous times, so you can echo the words of Paul when he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4:7)