Being Valiant

The January after I turned eight years old, I was placed into the “Valiant” class in Primary. I only remember a little about the lessons from that year. I don’t think that the word “valiant” was even defined. I do think however, it was named “Valiant” to help us as children to strive for a lasting testimony of Jesus Christ.

Definition

The word “valiant”, according to Webster’s Dictionary, has two meanings:

1. Possessing or acting with bravery or boldness: Courageous
2. Marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination: Heroic

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should be courageous with our testimonies. We should be brave, and even bold at times when testifying of Him.

Being heroic as a disciple can mean a great many things. It’s the little things that show that heroism. Daily prayer, scripture study, attending Sunday meetings and the temple, and living a Christlike life are all ways we can be valiant.

Valiant In the Testimony of Jesus

In “The Testimony of Jesus“, Elder D. Todd Christofferson discusses ten characteristics that make up a testimony of Jesus Christ. They are:

1. [A] Witness of the Holy Spirit that He is the divine Son of God, the Messiah and Redeemer
2. Jesus was in the beginning with God
3. He is the Creator of heaven and earth
4. “in him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men” (Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:4)
5. “the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, … that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 49)
6. The knowledge that “there is no other name given whereby salvation cometh.” (Mosiah 5:8)
7. It is the “testimony last of all,” given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, “that he lives!” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)
8. “That he is the Only Begotten of the Father” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)
9. “that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)
10. “the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)

How does one become valiant in these areas? First, when we gain a testimony of Jesus Christ, we must do something about it. I was 18 when I had an experience that reignited my testimony in Jesus Christ. I was a freshman at Brigham Young University. I lived in the Deseret Towers dorms, W-hall, on the second floor to be precise. I had struggled with my testimony. I was also surrounded by young men who had a testimony and were preparing to serve missions. Finally, I had an impactful Book of Mormon class taught by Dennis Largey. These three components, plus others, of my life, led me to ask for a witness of the truth.

I’ve told this story previously, but today I want to focus on what I did immediately after I prayed and received confirmation of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I had a journal and decided to record the experience. Here is that journal entry:

“I’ve FOUND IT! The truth has come to me like it never has before. I NOW KNOW without a shadow of any doubt that the church is true. I’m so grateful for the things shown unto me. I’m so full of joy that I could cry. I can’t wait to share my love and knowledge with others on my mission. I love my Heavenly Father. He is the one who sent me here.”

It was important for me to write down what happened immediately after. It was not only a way to strengthen what I had experienced, but also a way to be valiant in my receipt of truth.

During the last fast and testimony meeting we had that freshman year, I bore my testimony of the truths of the gospel. I remember my friends from the dorm floor all coming up afterward. We hugged, and some cried. We knew we were about to separate and go forward, some on missions, others with school. We shared a testimony of Jesus Christ and a willingness to be valiant in it.

Six Ways To Be Valiant

Elder Christofferson gives us six ways to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus. They are:

1. Nurture and strengthen the testimony
2. Do the small things – the “Primary Answers“
3. Be open and public about your witness
4. Heed His messengers
5. Encourage others to be valiant
6. Pursue personal holiness

I’ve already talked about the first two. For me, number three comes in several ways. This blog is one of them. It also comes when declaring my choice of soda instead of alcohol or coffee when out with colleagues, or talking about how I learned Spanish by spending two years as a missionary in Chile.

The fifth one can be easy or challenging depending on whether you are inside or outside the walls of your home. Inside, we teach our children the gospel and it’s easy to encourage them to live it. We love them so much and want what’s best for them. It’s a part of life together as a family.

Encouraging others outside the home is more challenging. There is always a fear of stepping on toes or offending someone. This is where allowing natural conversations to occur is important. I have found that when I don’t force the conversation to be gospel-oriented, naturally there will be times when it “just comes up”. We must take advantage of those times to encourage others to be valiant.

Conclusion

To reach the Celestial Kingdom and receive Exaltation, we must be valiant in our testimony of Jesus Christ. “Our Father’s hope is that we will choose – and, through the grace of His Son, qualify for – the highest and most glorious of these kingdoms, the celestial, where we may enjoy eternal life as ‘joint-heirs with Christ’ (Romans 8:17).” We can be valiant in the testimony of Jesus by understanding what that testimony is and living such that our lives display that valiance. We can encourage others and be encouraged ourselves, thus helping everyone live valiantly.