The Martyrdom of Stephen

Stephen’s death struck a chord with me.  This is a man “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5).  He testified of Christ and didn’t shy away from calling people to repentance when it was needed.  His last words were bold and powerful, yet he showed incredible mercy towards the people who killed him.  He began by calling the crowd out on their attitude towards God and His prophets. He even talked about their fathers and that they behaved similarly to the prophets.  He says, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One…” (Acts 7:52). 

In verse 54, it says, “…they were cut to the heart…” by Stephen’s words.  In spite of how wicked these people had become, Stephen’s speech effected their hearts.  They felt the truthfulness of his words.  Instead of changing their ways and listening to Stephen, “…they gnashed on him with their teeth” (Acts 7:54). 

In that moment, Stephen did not falter.  He “…looked up steadfastly into heaven” (Acts 7:55).  Because he looked up, instead of reacting in anger to the crowd, he saw “…the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56).  Here, we learn that the Godhead is made up of distinct and separate beings.  The crowd throws Stephen out of the city and stones him.  Again, in that moment, Stephen does not curse this angry mob.  Instead, he kneels down and “…cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60).  He asked the Lord to forgive the people who were killing him.  And with that, he falls asleep and dies. 

Not for a second did Stephen’s faith falter or fail him.  He did not question Heavenly Father or curse Him or the crowd inflicting such pain on him.  Instead, he was forgiving and steadfast until the end. 

For me, that is what I take away from this chapter.  His undying faith and commitment to be obedient to his Father in Heaven, regardless of what was happening to or around him.  Which is similar to Abinadi.  

Abinadi and Stephen both looked to God and asked Him to receive their spirits.  They both testified of the wickedness of the people.  They each suffered death at the hands of others.  They were both faithful to Heavenly Father until the end, no matter how much pain they suffered.  And, in both stories, there was an individual who walked away from watching them die and turned their lives around and became obedient followers of Christ: Alma from Abinadi’s teachings, and Saul, who later becomes Paul, from Stephen’s.

Their faith and dedication to the Lord is what I want to emulate in my life.  I will likely never have to face an entire angry mob and preach repentance to them.  I will also probably never face being killed because of what I believe in.  But I can dedicate my life to my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I can be faithful in studying the scriptures and praying without ceasing.  I can serve willingly and to the best of my ability in church callings, without grumbling or complaining.  And I can teach my children about the Savior.  I can give my Savior my very best in being obedient to His teachings.  Even though I’ll never be perfect and will need to use the atonement many times every day in this life, I can still give my Savior my heart.  I will choose, every, single day, to be a little more Christ like than I was the day before.  I will choose right over wrong, good over evil, light over dark.  I will choose to follow the Savior.  Every day.