Line upon Line

I was born in the gospel covenant and grew up in a committed Latter-day Saint home where love was fostered, service practiced, and doctrine taught. We had problems – as every family does – but they weren’t problems that impacted my spiritual progress.

Coming from an environment like that, I grew to cherish the doctrines of the restored gospel, had several confirming witnesses that they were true, and personally pledged to make it my life’s goals to live them.

I joined the military in my twenties and headed off to basic training. After completing that, I was assigned to my first permanent duty station in San Antiono, Texas, USA.

Not long there, I was approached by a fellow military member who inquisitively asked me, “Why are you so happy?” Caught totally off guard by her humble question, I sputtered something akin to this: “Well, my life is good. I’m blessed. Things are good for me.”

I don’t remember the response of the person that asked me that question. I do remember, however, what happened to me immediately after I gave that answer. As I ended our conversation and turned around to leave, I heard another voice. It was in my head, and it said, “That is not the whole truth, and you know it.” I knew I had received correction from the Holy Ghost.

I further knew I had missed an incredible opportunity to share the full why of my happiness. In truth, I had been ashamed to testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ – insomuch that I hadn’t even mentioned it as the paramount reason for my joy.

I went to my dorm and fell to my knees. I pled with God to both forgive me and give me another chance.

Incredibly, the very next day someone else approached me and asked me that exact question: “Why are you so happy?” This time, I took a deep breath and heard myself say, “It’s because of the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.” The inquirer muttered, “Huh?” I was happy to explain more! It was exhilarating to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate it by engaging in a bold beginning step: giving voice to it.

That awesome fisherman (turned apostle) Peter boldly declared: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16).

As Christians of the covenant, how can we more resolutely stand shoulder to shoulder with Peter and declare with bold humility that we, too, are unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Here are three things I’ve especially noticed to be of help over the years.

1. As we daily study and ponder holy writ as recorded in scripture and inspired words as they flow from the mouths of anointed servants, we will naturally not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and we will not be ashamed to share it.The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah had some really difficult trials. Smitten and in stocks, he recounted that perhaps it would have been better for him to stop mentioning the Lord, to speak no more of His name. But then this powerful confession: “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9).

   True, Jeremiah was a prophet with heavenly directive to prophesy. Though not given the same prophetic mission, we lay members can receive gospel “fire” in our bones as well. When this happens, the word of God gets into our very bone marrow and as it were, seeps forth from us. We can’t keep our mouths zipped. The message is flowing inside us, and we have to channel it outwards. We can’t be restrained.

   We are kind and natural and appropriate in how we share, but we share. That which has been soaked up by our souls has more fully sanctified us, and we testify of that sanctification verbally.

2. As we practice not being ashamed, we become unashamed. When I first started, years ago, chatting about the church with friends, it sometimes felt hard and scary. Now I find it fun and exciting. Practice really makes this easier.The Lord promised Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon that he would supply what to say “in the very moment,” (Doctrine and Covenants 100:6) and I’ve found that He’s done the same for me, too, as I’ve opened my mouth with my friends and acquaintances. This “very moment” help is awesome!

3. One time at the temple, I asked the Lord what I could do to make the walls of our home sing with praise. I got this response: “You are redeemed. Have joy in your redemption.” I’ve worked at this, and most days, I am overjoyed that I have been redeemed. I am saved from death by the guarantee of a resurrection, and as I daily repent and throw myself on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I am redeemed from my sins and their consequences. What joy! What hope! How can I not declare this? Let our walls and our voices declare our redemption to all who inquire. We are redeemed! If someone asks us “a reason of the hope that is in [us],” we should be (in Peter’s words) “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh…” (1 Peter 3:15). When we know so intimately the redemption of our own stories, we must unashamedly share them. It is our Christian duty and privilege.

I’m so glad the Lord gave me a second chance, on the heels of a former opportunity, to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ many years ago. That singular experience began my lifetime’s desire to be counted among unashamed Christians.

As we study and ponder sacred words of the Lord’s anointed, practice explaining the why of our joy, and rejoice in and share our redemptive stories with our friends, we will find, like Paul, that we are not, in the least bit, ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And in those moments of bold declaration, we will feel the power of the gospel pulse through our veins. As it does, we will feel the closeness of the promise of salvation which has been offered, at an incalculable price, to all who believe.