“Arise”
2026 BYU Women’s Conference
Friday, May 1, 2026
I want to focus on a keyword in the theme for this women’s conference: “May We Arise and Shine Forth as Women of Light.”
The word arise and the phrase “rise up” can be used and interpreted in many different ways. For example, we may “arise” and move forward from a sitting position. A person or group may “rise up” against an injustice or unfairness or to demand change. And you and I might “rise up” to a higher level of performance in employment or community service.
But the theme for this women’s conference is intended to suggest a spiritually higher and holier use of the word arise.
Today, I will highlight a series of experiences that can deepen and strengthen our understanding of what it means in our lives to “arise.” I earnestly pray for the power of the Holy Ghost to be with each of us as we learn together.
Experience 1—The Savior Forgives and Heals
The first experience features the Lord Jesus Christ and is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the New Testament. We will watch a brief video of the episode and then consider together segments of the scriptural text.
The healing of the paralytic man demonstrated in a powerful way that Jesus truly was the Messiah. Elder James E. Talmage taught, “He, the Son of Man, claimed and possessed the right and power to remit both physical and spiritual [infirmities], to heal the body of visible disease, and to purge the spirit of the no less real malady of sin. In the presence of people of all classes, Jesus … openly asserted His divinity and affirmed the same by a miraculous manifestation of power.”
The four individuals who carried the man sick of the palsy and let him down through the roof surely believed in the Savior’s power to heal. But they did more than just believe; they acted on that belief—“uncovered the roof … [breaking] it up, [and letting] down the bed” into the room where Jesus was.
Note the significant phrase in verse five: “When Jesus saw their faith. …” Do we usually think of faith as something we can see?
True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and is a principle of action, trust, and power. As we act in accordance with the truths of the Savior’s gospel and trust in His promises, we are blessed with the spiritual capacity to “rise up” and press forward through the challenges of mortality while experiencing the joys His gospel makes possible in our lives.
Therefore, What?
What lessons can we learn about “arising” and “rising up” from this miraculous experience?
For all of us, we begin to “rise up” as we turn toward and acknowledge the divinity, the living reality, and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can “turn” to Him, “come unto” Him, “follow” Him, “learn” of Him, and “walk” with Him.
We can build the foundation of our lives upon the “rock of our Redeemer” and spiritually “rise up” and stand strong, “that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it [will] have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built.”
Please note the two statements by the Lord that preceded the command for the sick man to “arise”: “Son, be of good cheer,” and “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
The repeated use of the word son immediately established a closer relationship between the man and the Lord; it also likely reduced the public awkwardness the man felt because of his infirmity. Thus, identity was defended, dignity was strengthened, and fears were eased even before the man was healed physically.
Faith always precedes the miracle, as was evident in the scriptural account of the paralytic man. But notice how the Lord acknowledged and enlarged the man’s initial measure of faith through His compassion and love, thus preparing the man for the command to “arise” and the miracle that was about to take place in his life.
The healing miracle was not completed simply because the Savior authoritatively uttered the command “arise.” Rather, the Lord instructed the man to further exercise his faith—a principle of action, of trust, and of power—by taking “up [his] bed and [going his] way into [his] house.”
Rising up from his pathetic position alone surely was miraculous. But how could he carry his bed to his house? This man may never have considered in his entire life the possibility of walking and carrying a heavy object. Thus, the man’s developing faith and trust in the Savior are evidenced in the scriptural phrase, “And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all.” The Savior was a source of strength and power far beyond the man’s mortal capacity.
The Lord discerned the man’s needs and succored him emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He enabled the man to do things he did not think or believe he could do and see beyond his present circumstances to things as “they really [could] be.”
In a similar way, you and I need to discern the truth in and about our own lives, even “things as they really are,” before we personally can “rise up.” The Savior’s grace and the power of the Holy Ghost can help us over time to strip away the self-centeredness, selfishness, and self-doubt characteristic of the “natural man” in each of us—and that constrain our capacity to “rise up.” Only “through the merits, … mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” can we be blessed to “arise” and become the women and men of Christ we have the potential to become.
Example 2—Peter and John at the Temple
The second experience I want to highlight features the ancient apostles Peter and John.
The reenactment of the healing miracle we just watched is true to the New Testament text; no embellishment or drama is evident in the portrayal.
We now will view a short segment of a general conference message given by President Harold B. Lee in 1973. I was serving as a missionary in southern Germany when he delivered this message, and the content impacted me profoundly. Please note that President Lee goes beyond the scriptural text to suggest ways of thinking about this episode that are instructive.
President Harold B. Lee: We are reaching out to all such, because they are precious in the sight of the Lord, and we want no one to feel that they’re forgotten.
I read again and again that lovely experience of Peter and John, as they went through the gate beautiful on the way to the temple. And here was one who had never walked, impotent from his birth, begging alms of all who approached the gate. And as Peter and John approached, he held out his hand expectantly, asking for alms. Peter, speaking for this pair of missionaries—Church authorities—said, “Look on us.” And, of course, that heightened his expectation. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee [freely]: [arise] and walk.”
Now there was there in my mind’s eye I can picture this man, what was in his mind. “Doesn’t this man know that I have never walked? He commands me to walk.”
But there was another statement that followed. Peter just didn’t content himself by commanding him to walk, but Peter “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up.”
Will you see that picture now of that noble soul, that chiefest of the apostles, perhaps with his arm around the shoulders of this man, and saying to him, “Now, my good man, have courage. I’ll take a few steps with you. Let’s walk together, and I assure you that you can walk, because you have received a blessing by the power and authority that God has given us as men, his servants.” Then the man leaped with joy.
You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul. You teachers, the testimony that you bear, the spirit with which you teach and with which you lead, is one of the most important assets that you can have, as you help to strengthen those who need so much, wherein you have so much to give. Who of us, in whatever station we may have been in, have not needed strengthening?
Therefore, What?
What lessons can we learn from the examples of Peter and John and the teachings of President Lee about “arising”?
Notice how Peter fastened his eyes on the man lame from birth and declared, “Look on us.” This simple statement gained the man’s attention and heightened his expectation. The man initially may have anticipated receiving a monetary gift, but Peter altered that expectation by declaring, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee.” Just as the Savior prepared the paralytic man for the healing command to “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house,” so likewise Peter and John followed a similar pattern with the man lame from birth. And immediately following the authoritative command to “rise up and walk,” Peter “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up.”
In President Lee’s narrative, Peter truly was a ministering brother to the lame man—before, during, and following the miraculous healing. The man was asking for money, but Peter discerned a greater need. Peter blessed the man physically, provided emotional reassurance, and supported him to inspire confidence going forward. The command to “arise” was directed comprehensively to the man’s whole soul and not just to his physical body.
We likewise can help others to “rise up” only as we are striving consistently to “arise” ourselves and become acquainted with “higher ground.” We should first fuel the fire of testimony and spiritual growth in us before we modestly and effectively attempt to shepherd and bless family members, friends, and associates. Only in this way can we spiritually discern needs and assist others to “arise.”
Example 3—Michigan
The principles of “arising” and “rising up” depicted in the healing of the paralytic man and the lame man on the steps of the temple also are evident today in the lives of countless devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Approximately eight months ago, a horrifying attack took place during a Sunday sacrament meeting in the Grand Blanc Ward in Michigan. The following Tuesday morning, Susan and I were in Michigan to learn from and minister to Church members and others involved in this tragic event. What we saw, what we felt, the friends we made, and the faith in Jesus Christ we witnessed were life-changing for us.
I recently invited members of the Grand Blanc Ward to share with me lessons they had learned from this experience. Please notice the recurring use of the words light, glory, and darkness in their reflections.
I now quote with permission several of the comments I received.
Please consider this disciple’s testimony in relation to the following scriptures:
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Consider this disciple’s testimony in relation to the following scripture: “Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.”
Consider this disciple’s testimony in relation to the following scripture:
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
Please consider this disciple’s testimony in relation to the following scriptures:
“That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
“And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you.”
Please consider this disciple’s testimony in relation to the following scriptures:
“And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
“Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.”
Consider this disciple’s experience in relation to the following scriptures:
“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
“Light and truth forsake that evil one.”
Consider this disciple’s experience in relation to the following scripture:
“For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”
I express my appreciation to the Saints in Grand Blanc, many of whom are watching this broadcast right now, for the lessons you are helping us learn about rising up. I love you, and I thank you.
Therefore, What?
What lessons can we learn from the Michigan saints about “rising up” after a devastating experience?
An eternal perspective grounded in the Father’s plan of happiness matters. Acknowledging we absolutely can never “rise up” without the power and blessings of the Savior’s Atonement matters. Covenants received worthily and faithfully honored matter. Spiritual priorities grounded in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ matter. Consistency in learning, doing, and loving small and simple spiritual things matters—all the time and everywhere.
President Jeffrey R. Holland explained, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace. … When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we’ve ever been in our entire lives.”
Promise and Testimony
Arising and shining forth is a miracle that occurs repeatedly in the lives of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some “arise and shine forth” miracles are big and fast. Some “arise and shine forth” miracles are small and slow. We may have no idea that some “arise and shine forth” miracles are even occurring. And all “arise and shine forth” miracles cause ripples with far-reaching consequences in our lives and in the lives of others. Surely, the Lord is able to do His own work—both around the world, in His earthly kingdom, and in each of us. As we humbly accept His will and timing in our lives, we will receive heavenly direction, protection, and spiritual strength. We can be blessed to “arise and shine.”
My beloved sisters, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I witness that God the Eternal Father is our Father. We are His daughters and sons. And I witness that He lives. Jesus the Christ is His Only Begotten and Beloved Son. He is our Savior and our Redeemer, and I witness He is risen and He lives. I witness that the Holy Ghost is a testator, a witness of all truth, and He can be our constant companion.
I witness that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, initiating the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter-day dispensation of the fulness of times, and I witness that Restoration is ongoing.
All of these things are true.
I invoke upon you this blessing that from what you have heard, learned, observed, and felt today—in a way that perhaps you’ve not been able to do before—I bless you that you will “arise and shine forth.” In the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.