Be Not Afraid

I just read a wonderful talk by Carolyn J. Rasmus called "The Enabling Power of The Atonement".

I was struck by a number of things.

She was telling a friend in need scriptures that would comfort her. She says, "As each scripture came to my mind, I felt that I was being prompted by the Spirit to know and do things beyond my natural ability... To help my friend, I had called on Heavenly Father to help me in an area of weakness, and He granted me help. This kind of divine assistance, often given through the influence of the Holy Ghost, is one of the gifts of the enabling power of the Atonement."

She quotes Elder David A. Bednar. "I suspect that we are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement...I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities."

Another passage that touched me:

On the eve of Jesus Christ's suffering in Gethsemane, He issued this benediction to His disciples: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. ...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27) Of this invitation, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "This may be one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord's merciful heart." Elder Holland added, "I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care of secure in his hands."

To read the full transcript of the talk, visit this link. 

I love the idea that "Be not afraid" is a commandment. Somehow this idea resonates with me. It takes weight off of my chest. When I wonder what to do, I can think that being courageous is not just a suggestion--it's a commandment.

I will be at peace. I will be unafraid of what is to come.

Today I'm grateful for an inspired woman and inspiring words.