The Choice Before Us: Doing Hard with Christ or Alone

When the pressures mount, when the world seems determined to test the very foundations of our covenants, where do we turn? Sister Camille Johnson’s recent message, 'Holy Women fix their focus on Jesus Christ,' cuts through the noise with a clarity that resonates deep within the soul. It is a message that demands not just hearing, but deep, abiding application to the daily grind of discipleship.

The core of her counsel, repeated with divine emphasis, is a choice: "You can do hard with Jesus Christ or you can do hard alone. That is your choice."

The Crucible of Choice: Hard vs. Holy

This isn't merely a sentimental platitude; it is a profound doctrinal statement rooted in the covenant path. To 'do hard' implies enduring tribulation, facing moral compromise, or navigating the complexities of a fallen world. The difference between doing it *with* Christ and doing it *alone* is the difference between mere endurance and sanctification. When we rely solely on our own strength, our own understanding, or the fleeting support of the temporal world, the struggle remains raw, stained by our own limitations.

But when we anchor ourselves to the Savior—when we remember the covenants we have made, the covenants that bind us to the Restoration and to the divine plan—the very act of suffering becomes redemptive. The hardship itself does not change, but our participation in it does. It becomes holy.

"When you do hard with Jesus Christ, the hard becomes holy. You become a holy woman."

This echoes the eternal principle taught in the scriptures: that through faith and adherence to the covenants, we are purified. Think of the disciples in the wilderness, or the early Saints facing persecution. Their trials did not negate the divine potential within them; rather, their reliance upon the Lord elevated the experience to one of divine witness.

The Iron Rod and Divine Guidance

For us who labor in the vineyard of the Lord, we understand that the path to exaltation is not paved with ease. It requires the very substance of the iron rod—the consistent, unwavering application of divine principles. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the Lord would not let us go through the wilderness without guidance. This principle extends to the spiritual wildernesses we face today.

The Savior knows the way through the deepest valleys. He doesn't just offer comfort *after* the storm; He offers the strength *within* the storm. This is the counsel we must internalize: when the counsel of the world screams 'go this way,' but the whisper of the Spirit, guided by the living prophets, whispers 'wait, trust Him,' we choose the whisper. We choose the path that makes the hard holy.

This realization is not passive. It requires diligent study of the word of God, constant vigilance in our temples, and a deep, personal commitment to our callings. It requires us to be the light, the salt, and the unwavering disciples the world needs.

We are called to be steadfast. We are called to be the covenant keepers who, when tested, do not falter back to self-reliance divorced from divine ordinance. We are called to keep our focus fixed on Christ, no matter how compelling the distractions of the world become.

This talk is a powerful reminder that our greatest strength is not found in our own resolve, but in the covenant relationship we maintain with our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Let us take this counsel—the choice to walk with Him—and apply it to every committee meeting, every family disagreement, and every moment of quiet scripture study this week.

A Call to Deeper Study

I invite you all to meditate deeply on the concept of 'holiness' as it relates to suffering. How has a recent trial, a struggle in your calling, or a moment of personal weakness been transformed by your conscious decision to place your trust in the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Bring those testimonies, those insights, and those challenging questions back to the fold. Let us continue to build this corpus of truth, refining our understanding of the covenant path for the Lord's glory.