C.S. Lewis in his famous book The Screwtape Letters gives what has become to me a point of deep reflection. In his work, he claims “The earliest Christians were converted by just one historical fact, the Resurrection, and by just one piece of theological doctrine, Redemption.”
How could they subsist on just this? I wondered. I have before me the scriptures, the prophets, the restoration, the temple, the priesthood, and yet they were able to be converted on those two points. With this question in mind and with my goal of overcoming fear to give place to bravery and courage, I read in Mosiah 11-17 about a man named Abinadi. What was it that gave Abinadi the power to fend off the King and his entire court, knowing that soon they would put him to death by fire?
“But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead (Mosiah 15:20).”
“But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ (Mosiah 16:8).”
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Mosiah 14:5).”
I chose these three verses from a multitude of good scripture because these all begin with “but.” Life will give us problems and our fear will begin to rise, at this time, as the early converts to Christianity, like Abinadi, and like every prophet and person who chose faith before fear, we can look at our problems and say “This should cause great fear, but…” and fill in the blank with the truth that brings peace.
I wish to follow Abinadi’s injunction when he said “Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen (Mosiah 16:15).