There are many situations in life where we are asked to stand for our beliefs. In the easier situations – it would be standing for school colors, fellow students and the football team. In a twisted situation – standing for gang colors. But with all this devotion and loyalty, how many of you, in a dangerous situation, would stand and say, “I am a follower of Christ.” More important, to Latter-day Saints, would you stand and say, “I am a Mormon. I know Joseph Smith to be a prophet.” Would you, could you say it if your life were threatened because of what you believed?
Peter was in this same situation. Peter was a good, righteous and loyal follower of Jesus Christ. Fear got the better of him and he denied Jesus three times before that fateful night was through. First though, in the Garden of Gethsemane, he smote off the ear of one of the guards. The Savior healed it and calmed Peter. So in immediate danger – meaning, before he had time to think of it, Peter was ready to defend the Savior to the death. This, then is the true measure of the man. For when the rooster crowed, Peter realized he’d denied the Son of God and wept bitterly and from that day forward he stood for Christ.
So firm was his resolution that he would never deny Jesus Christ again he insisted, when the time came, on being crucified upside down because he believed he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as the Savior. He was wrong.
So for each of us will come the test. Will it be in a group of laughing, mocking teenagers? Will a job promotion be at risk upon the stating of our beliefs? Will families castigate and disown for following your beliefs? To each of us will come the day, perhaps many days, when we must stand for Jesus Christ and the gospel He has restored to the earth. What will you do?