Brad Bowen, former president of the Brigham Young University-Idaho 2^nd Stake and current president of the Idaho Falls Idaho North Stake, taught BYU-Idaho students and employees about handling fear and turning to the Lord in a devotional address given Tuesday, June 19. 

In Matthew 14, the Savior's disciples were troubled after seeing him walk on water. Jesus spoke to his disciples, saying "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matthew 14:27).

Bowen said being afraid is a condition each of us faces. "Experience has taught me that fear can have a dual or opposite effect upon us, and the effect which fear produces upon us is directly related to what our relationship is with the Savior," he said.

As an example, Bowen discussed when Adam chose to disobey God and partake of the forbidden fruit.  This transgression caused Adam to be afraid, which was a direct consequence of disobeying God.

"When a difficult trial comes into the life of one who has chosen to disobey God, the Spirit of the Lord is offended, and if that individual will not turn again to the Lord, he is left to his own strength and without hope," Bowen said.

The prophet Mormon explains how disobeying commandments caused his people to ripen in sin. The Nephites "were led about by Satan even as a chaff driven by the wind...like a vessel tossed upon the waters, no sail, no anchor, without anything to steer" (Mormon 5:18). At the last great battle with the Lamanites, the Nephites were filled with terror. They had no source for courage because they turned away from the Lord.

"In contrast, an opposite effect produced by fear is one that creates a reverence for and a dependence upon the Savior," Bowen said. "Because of this relationship, there is an increase of confidence, a greater faith, an increased hope and ultimately greater courage that comes to those who humble themselves before the Lord." 

Joshua is an example of this principle of being afraid, yet finding strength in the Lord to face difficult circumstances. When he was commanded by the Lord to lead the children of Israel into the land of promise, Joshua was afraid. The Lord told Joshua, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9). Because Joshua loved and trusted in the Lord, he was obedient and given the strength to replace fear with courage.

Bowen discussed a pattern for courage to guide us when we are fearful. An example of this pattern is in Alma, chapter 57. There was a group of young men who were the sons of the Lamanite people who were converted by Ammon and his brethren. These young men were taught the gospel and learned to trust the Lord. They faced many battles but were always courageous and obedient. In one difficult battle, they found themselves without food because of a lack of support from the Nephite government for this small army. They were fearful they would not be fed.

These young men poured out their souls in prayer to God, so that they would receive strength and be protected from their enemies. The Lord gave them great faith and hope that they would overcome this difficult circumstance, and they were filled with courage.

"And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty" (Alma 58:12).

Bowen described this pattern for courage, saying, "We were grieved and also filled with fear. We did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us. The Lord God did visit us with assurances. He did speak peace to our souls. He did grant unto us great faith, which did cause us that we should have hope for our deliverance in him, and we did take courage."

The Savior faced the greatest of all trials - the Atonement. He was afraid when he went into the Garden of Gethsemane. He followed the pattern of courage and turned to the God for help. He atoned for our sins so that we can approach him for help and so he could understand our weaknesses and fears.

Bowen concluded by reminding students and employees of the pattern of courage: "We were afraid, we did pour our souls to God, he did visit us with assurances, he did grant unto us great faith, which did cause us to have hope and we did go forward with courage," he said.

Next week's devotional speaker will be Elder Alexander Morrison, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel.  Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.