Heroes We Can Rely On

Good morning brother and sisters,
I am thankful and honored for the opportunity to speak to you all. I am especially grateful for the loving prayer, the sincere testimony, and the beautiful music we have just heard today. It is through these humble and faithful acts that we invite the Holy Ghost into our lives and meetings, and I pray I can continue to do so through the message I have prepared for you all this morning.

In addition, I also want to thank you all for making the decision to be here today. With the burden of homework, studying for final exams, and other obligations and commitments, it is not always easy to come to devotional as I can attest to during my time as a college student. You being here today is a genuine demonstration of your faith that brings joy and happiness to our Lord above. As such, I promise you the Lord will bless you with a unique token of truth that is tailored specifically for you if you choose to listen and accept it with a sincere and open heart.

Now I must admit that I am a little nervous today given the massive responsibility and opportunity to give a devotional. As such, if you start to hear me speak in Spanish, just go along with it and I promise you I will find my way back to English. I am only joking of course, or so I hope!

As we gather in faith and seek to deepen our understanding, let us turn our hearts to the heroes we can rely on. Now when I say heroes, I am not referring to the kind we see in movies or read about in comic books, who are amazing in their own right. However, I am referring to divine heroes—those who have shown courage, integrity, and faith in God even in the most challenging of times. The types of heroes we acquire spiritual strength from and encourage us to be capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ. We find many of them in the scriptures which I will expound on here in a moment. However, as many of you may recognize, there are many even among us, that are presented through family, friends, teachers, mentors, and leaders that we can depend on. Especially in a world filled with challenges, these heroes stand as beacons of faith, showing us the path back to our Heavenly Father through their Christlike attributes, and an unwavering commitment to God. Their examples can inspire us to rise above our own challenges with the same reliance on the Lord. Allow me to share some of my personal heroes both from the scriptures and my own life that have had a significant spiritual influence on me that I hope will do the same for you.

Let us start with a uniquely strong and selfless individual, Esther.
She is a hero from the Bible who displayed remarkable faith and sacrifice. Her story begins when she is adopted by Mordecai and later in her youth finds favor with the Persian king. As a young Jewish woman chosen to be queen in a foreign land, Esther found herself in a position of great influence at a critical moment. When the lives of her people were threatened, she was faced with a choice: risk her life by speaking out or remain silent to protect herself.
In Esther 4:16, she demonstrated her courage and her faith, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” This statement of willingness to sacrifice everything to save others shows her dedication to God’s purpose, even when the outcome was uncertain. Esther’s heroism lies in her humility and her ability to recognize her unique position to fulfill God’s plan. It is through this same recognition and attributes that the Lord will call upon us to help our fellow brothers and sisters. Putting our faith to the test and requiring a sincere sacrifice when we have no certainty of the outcome.

In fact, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reflects and invites us to follow this example of sacrifice stating: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand up for the Savior's teachings, even if it may mean sacrifice or personal discomfort.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Can Do It Now!” General Conference, October 2013)
This is why Esther’s example can remind us that true heroes have faith to act even when fear or doubt creeps in. Sometimes, we’re placed in situations where we are asked to do something difficult or uncomfortable. Like her, you and I can approach these situations with faith, relying on God to guide us through those difficult situations.

Now, in truth, Esther’s story reminds me of a very close and aspiring hero in my own life, my mother. Similarly to Esther, my mother grew up without her biological parents and was raised by her beloved grandmother until her passing. While still in her youth, my mother was then sent from household to household, many of which were not the greatest of influences, and treated her unfavorably. Some of the individuals even tried to sell her off for their gain and benefit. While she avoided this danger, she endured times of pain, hopelessness, and despair during such a young age.

She eventually escaped to Mexico City to find more opportunities for work and a better life. It wasn’t until she met some members of our faith, where things started to turn for the better. As she was introduced to the doctrine and principles of the restored gospel, she quickly learned and accepted the teachings and was shortly baptized at the young age of 16 years old. In her words, “This was the greatest blessing of her life”. She finally found a pure and joyful purpose in life and more importantly, a Father she could now learn and rely on from that moment forward.

But as in life, she again was faced with more trials as she was still unable to find a stable home that would allow her to feed her faith with regular church attendance. The individuals she was staying with at the time prevented her from attending church altogether. However, facing this trial was different this time, as she now had the ability to invoke the powers of heaven to help guide her in what she should do. So, putting her faith in the Lord, she prayed and sought guidance on what she should do next as she did not want to give up her newfound dedication. Her faith and prayers were soon answered with a blessing she never expected.

One day, she befriended a girl during a function, who learned about my mother's situation and shared it with her parents. Shortly after, this new friend along with her parents, invited my mother to come live with them. This newfound home helped her find stability in her life and, more importantly, allowed her to attend church more frequently as they were also members of the church. She eventually met the brother of her now close friend and as fate would have it, would ultimately make her friend, my aunt and their parents, my grandparents. They were sealed in the Seattle, WA temple and ever since established my family.

While this is a short synopsis of my mother’s upbringing, her example of faith and sacrifice is one I always take with me. While she didn’t understand at such a young age why she had to go through so many trials and tribulations, the gospel gave her an eternal perspective that has helped her understand why we must experience hardships in order to learn and grow. But more importantly, it has shaped her course of life towards righteousness ever since. She has always taught and continues to teach my siblings and me the value the gospel brings in our lives and the difference it can make on someone when they live in accordance with the principles. She has molded us through her example and motherly love to be righteous disciples of Christ. She is my hero of faith and sacrifice who helps me draw closer to my Heavenly Father and I hope her story can do the same for you.

Let us now consider another one of my heroes, Paul from the New Testament. Paul’s journey of faith is extraordinary. Originally known as Saul, he was a Pharisee who fiercely persecuted early Christians. However, on the road to Damascus, he had a powerful vision of the Savior, and from that moment on, became one of Christ’s most devoted followers. Paul traveled extensively, preaching the gospel, establishing churches, and writing letters that form much of the New Testament. He faced severe trials, including imprisonments, beatings, and even shipwrecks, yet he continued to testify of Christ.
One may ask, what motivated Paul to press forward despite so many challenges and tribulations? Well, first, he understood taking the mantle of discipleship would come with trials saying, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). However, even with all of the persecution he experienced, Paul knew if he trusted the lord, he would always find peace saying, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” ( Philippians 4:11 ). He endured because of his profound hope and belief in Jesus Christ. But he also acknowledged that our trials “worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” ( 2 Corinthians 4:17 ). Meaning, the manner in which we react to the trials in our life has more than just a temporal consequence, they also have an eternal significance.
Now the question is, how can we persevere like Paul? While we may not all experience similar trials to the degree that he did, we can learn how to trust in the Lord during our trials as we learn to emulate his example of perseverance. In fact, it is through these hardships and trials we can find gems of wisdom that make us stronger disciples when we put our trust in the Savior. In a conference talk from 1976, Elder Delbert L. Stapley proclaimed the following “Paul impressively taught the importance of patterning our lives after the Lord Jesus Christ, striving constantly toward perfection. The writings of the apostle Paul can give us answers, directions, and strength, just as they aided the saints in the early church. If we prayerfully ponder not only the words of Paul, but all the scriptures now available to us, our lives can be strengthened and enriched.” (Delbert L. Stapley, Teachings of the Apostle Paul, General Conference, October 1976)

I am certain, many of you have or are experiencing moments of difficulty in this stage of your lives. Why do I know this? Well, I too, was once an eager college student attending a CES institution. Except, you all have one great blessing that I was unfortunately not granted during my time as a student. You did not have to suffer through the coldest and bitterest winters Rexburg, Idaho has to offer with wind chills that quite literally would almost blow your spirit away from your mortal body. This is something I know even President and Sister Kusch can attest to. But in all seriousness, I know how it feels to be overly stressed with all the homework and assignments you have daily, or the responsibility to fulfill your calling to the best of your abilities. I know how it feels to bomb an important final exam or go on dates that end up going nowhere. I know how it feels to be alone with no hope in sight.

Life, no matter your circumstances or situation, can be at times too much to bear. But if there is one thing, I can promise you, it’s this. If you can take a chapter from Paul’s example and pattern your life to draw closer and invite the holiness of the Lord, he will open the gates of heaven and pour unto you a cup of heavenly strength and power for you to consume. It in turn will give you an armor of courage and an eternal might to endure those hard times and find hope once more. Of this, brothers and sister, I have no doubt.
In the end, Paul’s life was marked by relentless dedication to his mission, despite incredible hardships. He is a hero we can rely on when we need an example of endurance and faithfulness. Paul’s courage invites us to persevere through our own trials, knowing that God will strengthen us if we rely on Him. Furthermore, when we couple a sincere desire to act in righteousness and have a complete trust in the Lord during our trials, may we all share the sentiment Paul felt when he declared: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Let’s now turn to the hero whom I was named after and aspire to live up to, Captain Moroni. A warrior from the Book of Mormon, Moroni wasn’t just any soldier; he was a man of God. In Alma 48:17, we read: “If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever.” Moroni’s commitment to defending his people and his faith was unparalleled.

One of Moroni’s most famous acts of courage was raising the Title of Liberty, a banner he created to rally his people to protect their rights, families, and religion. This was no empty call to arms—it was a statement of faith and purpose, a reminder that their strength came from God. Captain Moroni showed us that defending truth is an act of faith. His example reminds us that courage isn’t only about-facing physical threats but also about standing firm for what is right, no matter the opposition.

While we may not find ourselves in open warfare or a battlefield in our current state of personal affairs. We are currently in a war against sin. President Thomas S. Monson once said: “The world can at times be a frightening place in which to live. The moral fabric of society seems to be unraveling at an alarming speed. None—whether young or old or in-between—is exempt from exposure to those things which have the potential to drag us down and destroy us… But we need not despair. … We are waging a war with sin. … It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 90.)

One said tool is the example of this strong and courageous man. Elder Ulisses Soares shared the following about Captain Moroni: “This remarkable young man had the courage to defend the truth at a time when there were many dissensions and wars which put at risk the very survival of the entire Nephite nation. Although he was brilliant in exercising his responsibilities, Moroni remained humble. This and other attributes made him an extraordinary instrument in the hands of God at that time…All of Moroni’s attributes stemmed from his great faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ and his firm determination to follow the voice of God and His prophets…Figuratively, all of us need to transform ourselves into modern Captain Moroni’s in order to win the wars against evil.” (Ulisses Soares, “Yes, We Can and Will Win!”, April 2015 General Conference).

Like Captain Moroni, we are called to be courageous defenders of our faith. We may not face armies, but we will face challenges that test our commitment to gospel principles. By following Moroni’s example, we learn that true strength and courage come from trusting in God and we too can come to shake the bounds of hell as we become righteous heroes of freedom and defenders of our faith.

Finally, having shared the stories of some great heroes from the scriptures and my personal life, there is a commonality we can find in them all. All of these wonderful disciples’ sole purpose was and is to exemplify attributes of our ultimate and greatest hero of them all, Jesus Christ. Each of these heroes fought for righteousness, relied on God, and sacrificed for others. In doing so, they displayed many pure, Christlike attributes that we can learn from and more importantly, point us toward the ultimate Hero.

Jesus Christ is our greatest Hero because He did what no other could do. He atoned for our sins, offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice so that we could be redeemed. He leads us, not just in battle, but in every step of our spiritual journey. Jesus protects, loves, and intercedes for us constantly. Unlike other heroes, Christ’s heroism is eternal. He laid down His life for each of us, taking upon Himself our sins, weaknesses, and pain. Because of His Atonement, He is the hero we can rely on eternally.

In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus laid down His life willingly, out of pure love for each and every one of us. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate acts of heroism, and He invites us to follow Him, as we rely on His strength and grace.

When we come to accept the savior’s invitation, we choose him. Bishop W. Christopher Waddell expounds on this decision, sharing: “We choose Him when we choose His words through the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets. We choose Him when we choose to hold a temple recommend and live worthy of its use. We choose Him when we are peacemakers and refuse to be contentious, especially when we have differences of opinion… No leader has ever shown more courage, no humanitarian has shown more kindness, no physician has cured more disease, and no artist has been more creative than Jesus Christ…In a world of heroes, there is One who stands above all others. I testify that Jesus Christ is not only our hero; He is our Lord and King, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.” (W. Christopher Waddell, More Than a Hero, Oct. 2023 General Conference) I know when we choose to accept the Savior, he is the perfect hero we can always rely on.

There is a moment in my life I always look back to that reaffirms why this is true for me. As many of you have, I too had the privilege of serving a mission and did so in my beautiful family roots of Mexico. It was during my first few months in the field that I first experienced an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair I had never before encountered in my life. It was so immense; that I later was diagnosed with clinical depression. As you can imagine, I felt defeated and wanted to return home in hopes of removing this profuse sense of unhappiness.

However, my mission president at the time did not give up on me and instructed me it would take some time to figure out the details of my request. Meanwhile, I was provided with an inspired mental health professional and a caring new companion who played a vital part in helping me through this trial. After some time, I stumbled across the famous letter Gordon B. Hinckley's Father wrote to him during his mission that said: “Forget yourself and go to work”. After pondering that letter, I realized then, I was focusing on the wrong thing. I was called by God to be his representative and, in order to find the happiness and peace I so desperately was seeking, I needed to help others learn about our Savior and lose myself to the work.

Sure enough, after putting this invitation to the test, we started to find success and my outlook started to change for the better. But the defining experience that would leave an everlasting impact began when we eventually met and baptized a wonderful woman who had endured more pain and trials than I ever thought possible. It was not by coincidence we met this lovely woman but by divine intervention from our Heavenly Father. I say this because, for the first time on my mission, I genuinely cared and focused on someone else as opposed to myself. Teaching and helping her was a privilege that served as a lesson of truth for me moving forward.

Interestingly enough, it was after her baptism that I experienced the loving hand of God in my life. My companion and I were the last two people to leave the church building after her baptism. Soon after, we boarded the public bus to head back to our area. Now, if anyone knows anything about public transportation in Mexico, it is very loud and noisy with people selling you things left and right. It’s a place where you would think the spirit could never be present. But for me, in that instance, it was. I remember looking out the window of the bus and, out of nowhere, feeling a blanket of tranquility and peace overcome me. Everything around me was suddenly silenced, and I could only help but smile. I knew in that instant that God was watching over me and blessed me with the peace I was looking for so desperately. He gave me the courage to press forward and represent him with a newfound devotion and testimony.

Ever since then, He has been the ultimate hero I look to for guidance and support. I also believe He can be your hero in every moment of your life. As we come to learn about our Savior and apply the teachings He has left us, we inevitably become His sidekicks. As we stand side by side with Him, I know and promise you can conquer all the trials here on earth that will serve as stepping stones towards our path back home to him.

As we have come to learn from these heroes, and their unique stories, let us remember the purpose behind it all. To illustrate this, Elder Tad R. Callister stated the following: “Learning about heroes is much more than a history lesson, much more than an intellectual exercise or fact-finding mission. It causes a stirring of our heart and soul that refines and purifies our character. Heroes eliminate excuses and a victim mentality. They demonstrate godlike attributes in their lives and thus give us an increased vision of who we really are and what we really can become. And with that increased vision comes increased motivation…Heroes are much more than idols or celebrities. They are individuals who bring out the best in us — who help us participate in the “godly walk” towards eternal life. Fortunately, heroes are not just glowing lights of the distant past, but everywhere around us — the friend who suffers without losing faith, the businessman who is honorable even when the law doesn’t require it, the mother who sacrifices her own personal interests in order to spend quality time with her children, and the patriot who stands up for our country and Constitution even when it may not be popular to do so…Heroes help us know that mortals with all their faults and weaknesses can rise above them and achieve greatness — even godliness.” (Tad R. Callister, Why Do We Need Heros, The Church New, 2021).

Brothers and Sisters, let us ask ourselves: How can we become heroes of faith in our own way? Let us remember how Esther, Paul, and Captain Moroni each relied on God’s strength and direction. Their examples teach us to rely on the Lord, whether we’re called to defend our families and faith like Moroni, make humble sacrifices and serve like Esther, or face adversity with courage like Paul. May all we be inspired to follow their examples in our own lives. When we do, we can have the confidence that we, too, will be strengthened and guided by our eternal hero, Jesus Christ. I testify He is always with us, and as we rely on Him, we too can become heroes of faith.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.