Mindful Latter-day Saint Christian Apologetics and Living: Stand Strong and Steadfast in Faith

Standing strong in your Christian faith today requires a blend of courage, commitment, and continual spiritual growth, as exemplified by the Apostle Paul, who, even when imprisoned in Rome and facing death, remained unwavering in his faith. He wrote to Timothy, his spiritual son, "The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day" (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Drawing courage from the scriptures and the lives of faithful men who endured out of love for Christ helps us follow their example and stand strong for future generations. Developing a strong testimony of Jesus Christ is crucial, which involves diligently reading, studying, pondering, and applying scriptural teachings in our lives. Moreover, heeding the counsel of modern-day Prophets and Apostles strengthens our testimony, leading to courage.

For example, President Monson's experience in navy boot camp [1] showed how courage to stand up for one's beliefs can manifest in everyday situations. On his first Sunday, when recruits were ordered to attend church, he stood firm and faced scrutiny for his faith, setting an example of steadfastness.

“I can assure you that I felt completely alone,” President Monson said. “Courageous and determined, yes—but alone. And then I heard the sweetest words I ever heard that chief petty officer utter. He looked in my direction and asked, ‘And just what do you guys call yourselves?’

“Until that very moment I had not realized that anyone was standing beside me or behind me on the drill ground. Almost in unison, each of us replied, ‘Mormons!’ It is difficult to describe the joy that filled my heart as I turned around and saw a handful of other sailors.

“Since that day, there have been times when there was no one standing behind me and so I did stand alone. How grateful I am that I made the decision long ago to remain strong and true, always prepared and ready to defend my religion, should the need arise.”

Courage to stand strong also requires a leap of faith, as today's prophets and apostles frequently counsel. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf [2] challenges us to fully invest in spreading the gospel by taking decisive action.

Commitment is a little like diving into the water. Either you are committed, or you are not. Either you are moving forward, or you are standing still. There’s not halfway. We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives. As members of the Church, we must ask ourselves, ‘Will I dive in or just stand at the edge? Will I step forward or merely test the temperature of the water with my toes?’

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have committed to walk in the path of discipleship. We have committed to follow the example of our Savior. Imagine how the world will be blessed and transformed for good when all members of the Lord’s Church live up to their true potential—converted in the depth of their souls and committed to building the kingdom of God.

In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, ‘I’m committed!’

Jesus Christ provides the strength needed to maintain our spiritual growth along the covenant path of righteousness through faithful obedience to our Heavenly Father. Elder Quentin L. Cook [3] emphasized honoring our covenants to set a righteous example for others, a principle he demonstrated during a job interview by standing firm in his faith despite social pressure.

We inevitably must make choices If we know the doctrines and principles of the gospel, we can make wise decisions. If our lives are pure, the Spirit will guide us. Then we will be able to symbolically pitch our tents toward the temple and the covenants we have made to the Lord, and we will be in the world and not of the world.

We are called to be steadfast and immovable in faith, as reinforced in Mosiah 5:15: "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life." Additionally, 3 Nephi 6:4 highlights how converted Lamanites remained firm, steadfast, and immovable, maintaining faithful obedience to God.

Elder M. Russell Ballard [4] taught that our faith in the restored Gospel gives us the strength to uphold our covenants with the Lord.

Your faith and your knowledge of the restoration of the gospel will give you the strength to be faithful and true to the covenants you have made with the Lord, and to share your strengths and talents gladly to build up the kingdom of God here on the earth! Your testimony of Jesus Christ is the most important anchor that you can have to help hold you, steadfast and immovable, to principles of righteousness, regardless of the challenges and temptations that may come in the future

Sharing our strengths and talents to build God's kingdom, our testimony of Jesus Christ acts as the anchor that helps us stay true to the principles of righteousness amidst challenges and temptations.

Elder Richard Scott [5]. also noted that unwavering obedience to the Lord empowers us to achieve more than we can comprehend, driven by a "quiet, uncompromising determination to live a righteous life," coupled with inspiration and revelation.

In these deceptive times, remember the prophecy of Daniel (Daniel 2:44) about a kingdom established by God that will stand forever.

shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that kingdom. The crucial question for each of us is: Will we stand forever, or will we falter and go away? And if we do go away, where will we go? [6]

In my journey, I have studied the scriptures and embraced mindful living to walk in righteousness, faithfully walking in obedience along the covenant path of righteousness. This path has fortified my faith and commitment, enabling me to stand strong in my Christian faith today. Standing firm in our beliefs not only strengthens our testimony but also lights the way for others to follow.