Be of Good Cheer; I Have Overcome the World

·         Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Later He added, “I will that ye should overcome the world.” D&C 64:2

·         Overcoming the world is not a global invasion but a private, personal battle, requiring hand-to-hand combat with our own internal foes.

·         Overcoming the world means treasuring the greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” Mark 12:30

·         Overcoming the world is keeping our promises to God—our baptismal and temple covenants and our oath of faithfulness to our eternal companion.

·         Overcoming the world is trusting in the one voice that warns, comforts, enlightens, and brings peace “not as the world giveth.” John 14:27

·         Overcoming the world means turning ourselves outward, remembering the second commandment: “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11

·         Overcoming the world brings humility, empathy, patience, and compassion for those different than yourself.

·         Overcoming the world will always mean that we will have some beliefs that are ridiculed by the world. The Savior said: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own.” John 15:18-19

·         Overcoming the world is being less concerned with our online connections and more concerned with our heavenly connection to God.

·         Overcoming the world is remembering, even when we are discouraged, the times we have felt the love and light of the Savior.

·         Overcoming the world does not mean we live a cloistered life, protected from the unfairness and difficulties of mortality. Rather, it opens the more expansive view of faith, drawing us to the Savior and His promises.

·         While perfection is not complete in this life, overcoming the world keeps our hope aflame that one day we “shall stand before [our Redeemer]; [and] see his face with pleasure,” Enos 1:27

--"Overcoming the World" by Elder Neil L. Andersen, Apr 2017