Faith in the Face of Persecution

     One of the many struggles people of faith have to endure is persecution.  This has been the mandate of faithful people since the beginning of the world.  One of the first stories of the scriptures is the story of Cain and Able.  Able, a man of faith, was slain by his brother Cain, who had given in to the temptations of the master lier, Lucifer. 
     Noah endured persecution at the hands of all living men.  Abraham endured persecution at the hands of his countrymen and his father.  David endured persecution from his brothers and his king.  Jesus Christ endured persecution from those who professed to look forward to His coming.
     You would think that in today's "enlightened" age, people of faith would not be called upon to endure persecution.  The United States of America, along with many of the leading countries of the world, have a society that screams for equality and tolerance.  In the United States alone, I can think of multiple laws and acts granting equality between various groups of people, including groups based on religion.
     Yet persecution still rages on all fronts.  We aren't as enlightened as we believe we are.  And people of faith definitely face persecution.  At times this persecution comes at the hands of those who choose not to believe in religion, such as atheists and agnostics.  At times this persecution comes at the hands of people of other religions, as seen in the Crusades (with Christians attacking Muslims) and the attacks of 9/11 (when a handful of Muslims attacked Christians).  And, ironically, at times this persecution comes at the hands of those who profess to share our faith, as seen in the lives of David, Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith.
     Having faith in the face of persecution can be incredibly difficult.  It would be so easy to give in and do the things we are being encouraged to do, or to not do the things we are encouraged not to do.  Yet doing so would violate our beliefs and morals.  More importantly, it would drive a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father.  Giving in is not an option.
     So, I want to tell you of the one person I know who has endured more persecution than any other person I know, yet still holds true to his faith in God:  my father.  My father has endured persecution at the hands of almost everybody because his faith wasn't demonstrated as they believed it should be. 
     For example, my dad was once the instructor of the teenagers in his ward (a local unit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where people look after one another and are instructed to ensure the spiritual and temporal welfare of each other is looked after).  He used a couple four letter words during one of his lessons.  Following this, the bishop (the head of the ward, usually called to serve for a five year period) released him from the calling, telling him he was unfit to be a teacher of teenagers, and unfit to be a parent.  This was inspite of the fact that bishop also used this kind of language.
     Please understand that this hypocritical action is a reflection of individual choice on the part of the bishop, not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes that all human beings have their weaknesses to overcome.  The LDS Church condemns no one for having weaknesses, but instead strives to help them in their efforts to overcome weaknesses to become more like God. 
     Unfortunately, many people have belittled my dad for his weaknesses, overlooking the instruction given by the Savior in Matthew chapter 7.  These people have at different times included his mother, my mother, my mother's mother, his siblings, my mother's siblings, and me and my siblings.  In other words he has faced harsh criticism at the hands of those he holds most dear.  And this criticism has often been based on the belief he isn't religious enough.
     But he has always been religious enough.  He has faith in God.  He believes in Jesus Christ.  And he strives to be a better person.  This is what God asks of us, nothing more and nothing less. 
     I don't know how my father has managed to keep his faith in God in the face of persecution from those he loves so much.  I've never had to face this kind of persecution.  I admire and respect him for his ability to endure this kind of persecution and still have faith in God. 
     Let me tell you what I do know.  Heavenly Father loves my dad.  And He has stood behind my dad through these struggles and has uplifted and helped him.  I don't know if my dad knows this.  But I know it.  I know it because He is always uplifting us through our struggles when we have faith in Him.  He doesn't leave us alone in the face of difficult times.
     When we have sinned and are trying to correct our sins, Heavenly Father succors us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  When we face persecution and turn to Heavenly Father in faith, He succors us through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  Whenever we are struggling, no matter what it is, if we turn to God in faith, Heavenly Father succors us through the Master Healer, the Everlasting Strength of God, Jesus the Redeemer.
     If you are facing persecution, no matter what form it has taken, learn from the example of my father and continue believing in Jehovah your Lord.  You can do it.  Job in the Old Testament did.  Paul in the New Testament did.  Nephi in The Book of Mormon:  Another Testament of Jesus Christ did.  And Joseph Smith the Prophet did.  And my father did.