Close Topic Options

Courage

"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny.

"The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be."
-- "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 54-55

Courage

Of recent I have found that courage can come from simply having a positive outlook. Positivity breeds hope and with hope comes faith and courage. Conversely being pessimistic and expressing doubt even in the mere passing of negative words or brooding can cause you to be disheartened even if that is not your intention and when you become this way courage is the least of your armor against any Goliath.

Courage Studies Doctrine Mormon

Note that bravery is not a listed topic in the topical guide. Courage and bravery are not synonymous. Look at what evil people did in the Book of Mormon as "a token of bravery." Courage is sometimes to take up a sword in defense of truth, as it were, but more often it is to obey with honor, to correct with love, and to fight our own battles with temptation and discouragement.

Courage

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."
-- "For Times of Trouble," New Era, Oct. 1980, 15)

Courage

"[The Lord's] sweet assurance . . . can guide you and me--in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well."

(Thomas S. Monson, "The Call for Courage," Ensign, May 2004, 55-56)