Elder Neil L. Anderson
The Message
Elder Andersen taught that following Jesus Christ requires spiritual courage, the courage to choose what is right even when we face fear, doubt, distraction, opposition, or uncertainty.
Faith and courage strengthen each other. Faith in Jesus Christ gives us courage to act, and when we courageously act on what we believe, our faith grows stronger. We don’t have to wait until we feel completely confident or unafraid. We can take a courageous step because we trust the Savior.
Start the Conversation
Read the summary of the message and the Try This at Home ideas with your family. Then say: “Let’s choose one small thing that will take some courage for us to do this week because of our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Try This at Home
Do One Brave Thing
Have each person think of something good they know they should do but have been hesitant to do. Choose one small courageous step toward doing it.
Practice Saying What You Believe
Elder Andersen taught that faith gives us courage to speak openly about the Savior. Practice one simple, natural sentence you could comfortably say when an opportunity arises: “I believe in Jesus Christ,” “Prayer helps me,” or “My faith is important to me.”
Find Some Stillness
Elder Andersen taught that our spirits still need quiet in a world filled with phones, information, and distractions. Spend a few minutes without screens, music, or conversation. Pray, think, or simply make room to notice what you are feeling.
Remember a Courageous Choice
Have each person tell about a time they did something right even though it was difficult or frightening. Ask: Did doing it make the next courageous choice any easier?
Encourage Someone Else’s Courage
Notice someone doing something difficult but good. Tell them: “I noticed what you did. That took courage.”
Find It in the Scriptures
Read Moroni 1:3, which Elder Andersen used in describing Moroni’s courage: “I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ.”Ask: What might it look like for us to quietly stand for Christ in our own circumstances?
Choose Your Own
Choose another part of Elder Andersen’s message your family would like to live together this week.
Don’t Wait to Feel Brave
Think of one good thing you are hesitant to do. Instead of waiting until you feel completely confident, ask: “What is the smallest courageous step I could take?” Then take that step. You don’t need enough courage for the whole journey. You only need enough courage for the next faithful choice. Afterward, notice what happened. The experience itself may give you a little more faith and courage for the next time
Check Back In
At the end of the week, talk as a family about what you noticed. What took courage? Were you nervous before you did it? Did the fear change after you acted? Did prayer or faith help you take the first step? Did one courageous choice make another seem more possible? Did you see someone else demonstrate spiritual courage? Did your experience help you understand Elder Andersen’s teaching that faith strengthens courage and courage strengthens faith?
No grading. No guilt. Just notice what happened.
