1 Ne. 22:17, 22; 2 Ne. 8:7; Psalm 27:1; 2 Tim. 1:1-7; D&C 6:32, 34, 36; 29:4-7; 32:3; 38:30; 68:5-6; 84:87-88; John 14:27
“We see individuals and families facing heightened anxiety and fear. It would seem that discouragement, depression, and despair are our contemporary ‘Black Plague.’ Ours is, as Jesus said it would be, a time of distress with perplexity (see Luke 21:25)… . If I may be so bold this morning, may I suggest ‘direction for deliverance’? … We need to turn to God. We need to reaffirm our faith, and we need to reassert our hope… . Without religious faith, without recognizing the reality and necessity of spiritual life, the world makes no sense, and a nonsense world is a place of horror.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Nov. 1993, pp. 13-14)
“A large part of conquering daily fear is simply doing things that we don’t know how to do—yet… . I’ve just finished reading Eleanor Roosevelt’s biography… . This was a woman whose early life was ruled by fear and self-doubt. She described herself as an awkward adolescent, unattractively tall, with protruding teeth, dressed inappropriately, and so ill at ease with others her own age that parties and dances were dreaded occasions. How did she move from that to the kind of confidence that allowed her to contribute so widely? She said, ‘You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do’ (Karen McAuley, Eleanor Roosevelt, New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987, p. 105). As we concentrate on pleasing the Lord rather than others and continue to work hard, doing the things we don’t know how to do yet, we will experience personal growth… . Are you remembering that you have had hands laid on your head—that you have been given a gift? Use that gift to conquer your fears!” (Virginia H. Pearce, Ensign, Nov. 1992, pp. 91-92)
“Action is inhibited by fear… . You rightly have concerns about measuring up and finding your place in life. You more often recognize your inadequacies rather than your strengths… . We can overcome all of our fears, not all at once, but one at a time. As we do so we will grow in confidence. The following is the story of a young man who encountered a fear that each one of us has faced or will face at some time in our lives: It was a hot July afternoon, and the chapel was filled for stake priesthood meeting. There was a young priest sitting on the stand in ‘contained nervousness,’ and after the hymn the stake president announced him as the next speaker. He spread out his notes, and as he did so his quivering hands betrayed his fear. He began to speak, but soon his speech quickened to a gabble, his words wild and repetitive. Worse followed as he began to stammer and then stopped speaking altogether. A heavy silence settled on the room. Who has not felt the terror of standing before an awesome audience? Everyone thought he would sit down, but no, he stayed on his feet, his head down. A few ominous seconds ticked by, and then he squared his shoulders and blurted out: ‘Brethren I ask for an interest in your faith and prayers, that I might have sureness of speech.’ Then he went back to where he had left off, speaking quietly but clearly. Soon his voice rose to its natural resonance, and he delivered his message to its full conclusion. It was not so much his message that thrilled those who were there. It was the image of that young man, unflinching even though he felt himself teetering on a precipice of fear, taking up the banner of courage and rallying himself for the cause of truth.” (James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, pp. 43-44)