Valiant in the Cause of Christ

A big thanks to our special guest teacher, Jane Thurston, for her instruction on how to be valiant in the cause of Christ.

Joseph Smith was a prime example of being valiant. When Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued the extermination order on the Mormons in October 1838, Joseph agreed to meet with the officers and negotiate peace. Instead he and other church leaders were arrested, forced to spend the night on the ground during a freezing rainstorm and berated in the process. He was pried from the arms of his sobbing wife and children and taken off to jail. He was wracked with anguish on what would happen to his family left behind with "monsters in the shape of men". From jail he wrote Emma a letter stating, "We are prisoners in chains and under strong guards, for Christ's sake and for no other cause". He then went on to add, "We are in good spirits and rejoice that we are counted worthy to be persecuted for Christ's sake". Joseph Smith showed how "the valiant cheerfully do all they can, even during times of trouble".

Every charge we've been given that helps us develop Christlike qualities also comes with a reward. If we are humble, prayerful, work righteousness, and live with an eye single to the glory of God we will have joy, be given the power to withstand temptation and our souls will be satisfied. To be valiant in cause of Christ is to seek out anything that helps you lift your own spirit as well as the spirits of those around you. At the end of our mortal lives we will have a day of accounting before the Lord. As it says in Matthew 25:21, if we have proven faithful over a few things, we will be made rulers over many things and receive a fullness of joy. We will be given a celestial crown and enter into His rest.