Nothing to Fear

If you are like me, you often feel alone and insignificant.  You feel that those who do good are in the minority, and that makes you feel discouraged about your ability to bring about a positive change in this world.

But these feelings of discouragement are not founded on a correct understanding of how the Lord works.  After Lehi told his sons about his vision of the tree of life and the iron rod, Nephi desired to know more about what his father was teaching him, so he went to the true source of all knowledge, the Lord.  The Lord didn't disappoint him, and he was given a great vision.  It included many things, and one thing he saw was a vision of the latter days.

He describes a great and abominable church which he says had "dominion over all the earth"  (1 Ne. 14:11).  The church of the Lamb of God is also spread over all the earth, but in contrast to the wicked dominions, "their dominions upon the face of the earth were small" (1 Ne. 14:12).  To make matters worse, the wicked church "did gather together multitudes upon all the face of the earth . . . to fight against the Lamb of God" (1 Ne. 14:13).

But in a very comforting prophecy, Nephi records that goodness is powerful even when it constitutes a minority: "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb of God, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory"  (1 Ne. 14:14).

Heavenly Father does not require a majority in order to conquer evil.  He works through the "weak things of the world" to conquer the "things which are mighty" (1 Cor. 1:27).

Here are several more comforting scriptures for those times when you feel discouraged and alone:

v "I testify that He has called you and me into His service knowing our capacities and the help we will need.  He will bless our efforts beyond our fondest expectations as we give our all in His service" (Henry B. Eyring, "You Are Not Alone in the Work", General Conference Oct.2015).

v "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).

v "Most of us will be quiet, relatively unknown folks who come and go and do our work without fanfare.  To those of you who may find that lonely or frightening or just unspectacular, I say, you are 'no less serviceable' than the most spectacular of your associates.  You, too, are part of God's army"  (Howard W. Hunter, "No Less Serviceable", Ensign, April 1992, see also Alma 48:19).

v "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.  And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.  And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha"  (2 Kings 6:15-17).

And lastly, this longer one by President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm. He will overrule for the good of this work. He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments. Such has been His promise. Of His ability to keep that promise none of us can doubt.

"The little stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands as seen in Daniel’s vision is rolling forth to fill the whole earth (see Dan. 2:44–45). No force under the heavens can stop it if we will walk in righteousness and be faithful and true. The Almighty Himself is at our head. Our Savior, who is our Redeemer, the Great Jehovah, the mighty Messiah, has promised: 'I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up' (D&C 84:88).

"'Therefore,' said He, 'fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. …

“'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

“'Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven' (D&C 6:34, 36–37).

"Unitedly, working hand in hand, we shall move forward as servants of the living God, doing the work of His Beloved Son, our Master, whom we serve and whose name we seek to glorify.

"I repeat, this, my brethren and sisters, is the work of the Almighty. He lives, our Father and our friend. It is the work of our Redeemer, who out of a love beyond comprehension gave His life for each of us. It is a divine work restored through a chosen prophet. It is a work to which we dedicate our lives as we invoke choice blessings upon you, our beloved associates, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "This Is the Work of the Master", General Conference, April 1995).