Elder David A. Bednar, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, has reached out through social media to share a message of faith over fear as the COVID-19 virus, and other calamities, continue to rage. He wrote:
In our daily lives, endless reports of COVID-19 occurrences and restrictions, criminal violence, famine, wars, corruption, terrorism, and the destructive forces of nature can engender fear and apprehension. Surely we live in the season foretold by the Lord, “And in that day…the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them” (D&C 45:26).
I testify that a correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ drives fear away. An example from the Book of Mormon highlights the power of the knowledge of the Lord to dispel fear and provide peace even as we confront great adversity.
In the land of Helam, Alma’s people were frightened by an advancing Lamanite army.
“But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but…should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. Therefore they hushed their fears” (Mosiah 23:27-28).
Notice Alma did not hush the people’s fears. Rather, Alma counseled the believers to remember the Lord and the deliverance only He could bestow. And knowledge of the Savior’s protecting watchcare enabled the people to hush their own fears.
But can we hush the fears that so easily and frequently beset us in our contemporary world? The answer to this question is an unequivocal “yes.” Correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord empower us to hush our fears because Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace. He declared, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23). As we look to Christ, build upon the foundation of Christ, and press forward with faith in Christ, we can receive the blessing of peace and assurance in our lives.
I love and revere the Lord. His power and peace are real. He is our Redeemer, and I witness He lives. And because of Him, our hearts need not be troubled or afraid (see John 14:27), and we will be blessed to hush our fears.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
