When Christian Behavior Matters Most

"It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph's greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, that in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving—that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew that we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is."Surely the classic example of this is that in the most painful hours of the Crucifixion the Savior could say, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34). That is a hard thing to ask when we're hurting or have been offended, are tired or stressed out or suffering innocently. But that is when Christian behavior may matter the most. As Joseph was taught in his prison-temple [at Liberty Jail], even in distress and sorrow we must 'let [our] bowels . . . be full of charity towards all men . . . ; then [and only then] shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and . . . the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion' (D&C 121:45–46)."
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lessons from Liberty Jail," Ensign, Sept. 2009, 32

Topics: Faith