Lloyd Newell Counsels BYU Students to ‘Fear Not’

This week’s campus devotional at Brigham Young University was delivered by Lloyd D. Newell. Brother Newell is known as the voice of Music and the Spoken Word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the announcer at General Conference, but he also has a day job as a professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU.

Brother Newell took for the source of his address the greatest story ever told, but focused on one of its less obvious aspects. Four times in this story—to Zacharias, to Mary, to Joseph, and finally to the shepherds—an angel spoke the words, “Fear not.” Brother Newell reminded his listeners at the devotional that he did not come to frighten them but to tell them to not be afraid of the things that life seems to scare us with.

“The Lord’s message to you today is the same as from the angels: ‘Fear not,'” said Brother Newell. “In the eternal scheme of things, it’s not as bad as we think.”

Satan wants us to give in to our fears, said Brother Newell, but God, on the other hand, wants us to hold on to hope. Brother Newell read from 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Brother Newell noted these three things listed by Paul—power, love, and a sound mind—as antidotes for fear.

Power

God’s power, Brother Newell said, is not what the world defines to be a show of force or strength, but it is a power governed by longsuffering, love, and quietness. He used the example of his father, who worked in a steel mill and died in an accident several years ago. In his youth, Brother Newell confessed, he had wished his father was cooler and didn’t have such a menial career. However, his father was remembered by many as one of the kindest people they ever met, one who was gentle and pleasant in a rough industrial environment and who studied the gospel and shared it with his coworkers. Now, says Brother Newell, there is no one he admires more.

Love

Mormon and Paul both preach that “perfect love casteth out all fear.” Brother Newell told the story of how some of his extended family volunteered at a homeless shelter once during the holidays. As they overcome their unease in the strange environment to serve and love the people they met, someone began to sing, and the spirit of Christmas helped them to no longer feel like strangers but family. Brother Newell counseled the BYU students at his devotional to turn to the Lord and trust in His love.

[pull_quote_center]Love is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has no end and no limits. It remains when all else fails. Love never quits and never runs out. It simply endures and overcomes.[/pull_quote_center]

Sound Mind

Brother Newell defined having a sound mind as having a foundation built on the Savior and His teachings. Brother Newell advised his audience to not stake their safety on the things of the world, no matter how stable they look. The mountains, the grass, the institutions of men all fade away in time, but the word of God stands forever. A foundation in the Gospel goes beyond immunity to deception, Brother Newell pointed out, but it also includes the ability to receive counsel from the Lord, even when we are required to change.

Brother Newell concluded with his testimony and the following statement:

[pull_quote_center]…because unto us was born that day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, we have no need to fear, for he has indeed brought with him, ‘peace on earth, good will toward men.’ I testify that these good tidings are for all people, including me, and including you.[/pull_quote_center]