Elder Linder

Part 4 of “The Devoted Life: Exploring the Path of Discipleship”

In our first three posts this week, we’ve explored what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ—how it requires daily commitment, involves meaningful sacrifice, and calls us to walk by faith. Today, we’ll examine another crucial aspect of discipleship: facing opposition.

Jesus was remarkably direct about this reality when He told His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul later reinforced this truth, declaring that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Opposition isn’t just a possibility in discipleship—it’s a certainty.

This truth echoes through Lehi’s profound teaching that there must be “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). This isn’t just a philosophical observation—it’s a divine principle that reveals something crucial about our spiritual growth. Just as physical muscles need resistance to grow stronger, our spiritual strength develops through facing and overcoming opposition.

Consider the pattern we see in scripture. Joseph Smith faced intense persecution after his First Vision (Joseph Smith—History 1:21-22). Alma and Amulek were forced to watch faithful women and children being burned (Alma 14:8-11). Even Jesus Christ, the perfect example of discipleship, faced escalating opposition throughout His ministry—from Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), to religious leaders who sought to trap Him (Mark 12:13), to His own hometown rejecting Him (Luke 4:28-29), ultimately culminating in His supreme test in Gethsemane and on Calvary (Matthew 26:36-39; 27:46). These weren’t just unfortunate circumstances—they were part of the refining process that helped accomplish God’s purposes.

What strikes me most about these examples is how the Lord responds to His faithful disciples in their trials. To Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, He declared: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high” (D&C 121:7-8). Notice He doesn’t always remove the opposition—instead, He helps us see it in an eternal perspective.

In my own life, I’ve experienced this principle firsthand. When I chose to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19, I faced significant opposition from some family members who held different beliefs. What initially felt like a painful trial became an opportunity to deepen my testimony, develop patience, and learn to love across differences. Looking back, I can see how that opposition helped refine my faith and strengthen my commitment to the gospel.

Today, you might be facing your own opposition as a disciple of Christ. Perhaps it’s:

• Criticism from family or friends who don’t understand your faith
• Internal struggles with doubt or uncertainty
• Cultural pressures that conflict with gospel principles
• Personal challenges that test your commitment

Remember, opposition doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong—often, it means you’re doing something right. As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “The Lord loves effort, and effort brings rewards. We keep practicing. We are always progressing as long as we are striving to follow the Lord.”

I testify that opposition, while challenging, can become a catalyst for spiritual growth. Just as a refiner’s fire purifies precious metals (Malachi 3:3), our trials can transform us when we turn to the Lord in faith. The key isn’t to avoid opposition but to face it with faith, knowing that the Lord can help us turn our moments of greatest challenge into opportunities for greatest growth (Romans 8:28). In the end, it’s not the opposition we face but how we face it that determines who we become.