At its core, courage is the unwavering commitment to stand for one’s beliefs, even in the face of adversity. In the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, courage is faith in action, and it helps individuals confront life’s challenges—both temporal and spiritual.
Courage is a trait shown by many people throughout the scriptures: Esther as she prepared to go before the king and plead for her people to be saved, Daniel as he continued to worship God even though he would be thrown in the lion’s den, and the early pioneers as they left their homes and comforts to gather in an unknown land. We are also invited to “be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:9). But the concept of courage is not confined to great conflicts alone. It also exists on a personal scale as the courage to confront weaknesses, strive for spiritual refinement, and exemplify Christlike love and compassion in daily life.
These speeches shed light on the multifaceted nature of courage, showcasing its vital role in spiritual progression and the pursuit of a life centered on the teachings of Christ. As you read, watch, and listen to these messages, we hope that you will be strengthened and encouraged to faithfully walk your own path of discipleship.
Our highest desire is for each of you to succeed on your journeys back to our heavenly home. BYU is designed to aid you along that journey to become the person God wants you to become.
We do not have to wait until every challenge arrives before choosing where we stand. We can decide now to pray, to repent, to keep covenants, to forgive, to worship, to be honest, to serve, and to make our homes places where the Lord is welcome.
The very highest and Christlike ideals within us—along with every worthy hope and dream we hold most dear—are well worth clinging to and standing up for, even despite the ridicule and biting scorn of a very naysaying world.