Defending My Beliefs

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friends

Illustration by Luca Di Bartolomeo

One night I was hanging out with a group of friends. We were talking and they started gossiping about my other friends who weren’t present. I felt uncomfortable about what they were saying. I then got a prompting from the Spirit that I should stand up for what I believe.

Without further hesitation, I told them I didn’t feel very comfortable about what they were saying and asked if they would not gossip when I was around. They said it’s just a part of life and it didn’t matter. Without getting upset about it, I listened to their point and then explained what I believe. Then I got up and walked away.

My experience that night made me think about what Joseph Smith went through. When Joseph Smith retrieved the gold plates, he experienced a lot of persecution. No matter how much persecution there was, Joseph Smith still stood tall and didn’t falter. God was with Joseph Smith and helped him, and I knew that God was with me too when I stood for what was right.

I did lose a couple friends that night for defending my beliefs, and I was sad about that. But I felt peace and comfort for doing what was right. A little later, one of my friends thanked me for what I had said. Because of that, I gained a friendship back that was stronger than it was before.

Andrew F., Utah, USA