I know I have written on this topic before, but as I have reflected on the message of this year’s Nauvoo Women’s Retreat, my heart continues to return to one central thought: in a world filled with increasing fear, division, confusion, and spiritual exhaustion, the condition of our hearts matters more than ever.
We live in a time where many feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world. Everywhere we turn there are wars, natural disasters, political unrest, anger, betrayal, division within families, and a constant flood of noise pressing upon the mind and spirit. It is no wonder that so many are struggling emotionally and spiritually. The Savior Himself warned that in the last days, “men’s hearts [would fail] them for fear” (Luke 21:26). There is such a thing as spiritual heart failure. He was not simply speaking of physical fear, but of spiritual exhaustion, discouragement, and hearts overcome by uncertainty and despair.
Yet in the middle of these prophecies, the Lord also gave instruction and hope. The answer to fearful hearts is not found in greater control over the world around us. It is found in greater alignment with Him. Throughout scripture, the Lord has always been deeply concerned with the condition of the human heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read:
“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
God is not merely asking for outward religious performance. He desires transformed hearts, hearts softened by humility, purified through repentance, and filled with charity. The process of aligning our hearts with the Savior is not instantaneous. It is a daily surrendering of pride, bitterness, resentment, fear, and distraction.
When our hearts become consumed with anger, contention, unforgiveness, envy, or constant fear, it becomes difficult to hear the voice of the Spirit clearly. The adversary thrives in confusion and emotional chaos. But Christ invites us into something higher:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
That peace does not come because the world suddenly becomes safe or easy. It comes because our hearts become anchored in Him.
One of the greatest spiritual dangers of our time is allowing the constant darkness around us to shape our inner condition. We can become so focused on the corruption of the world that we neglect the purification of our own souls. Yet scripture repeatedly teaches that Zion is built first within the heart.
The Lord taught:
“Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)
Holy places are not only temples or sacred locations. They are also hearts that have made room for Christ. Purifying our hearts requires honesty before God. It requires repentance, forgiveness, humility, prayer, and learning to let go of those things that harden the soul. Sometimes the greatest tribulations are not only the events happening around us, but the battles happening within us. Fear, offense, unresolved pain, pride, and hopelessness can slowly separate us from the peace the Savior offers.
Moroni taught:
“Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love…” (Moroni 7:48)
Notice that charity is not simply an emotion. It is something we seek with “all the energy of heart.” Aligning our hearts with the Savior means allowing His love to reshape our reactions, our desires, our relationships, and even our thoughts.
As the world grows darker, the Lord is calling for hearts that are steadier, purer, and more anchored in Him. Not perfect hearts—but willing hearts.
I believe one reason so many people feel spiritually weary right now is because we were never meant to carry this world without Christ at the center of our lives. Fear increases when our hearts become anchored to temporary things. But faith increases when our hearts become anchored to eternal truth.
The Savior warned of difficult days ahead, but He also promised:
“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
What a powerful promise. The question before each of us is not merely whether we can survive troubled times, but whether our hearts are becoming more like His while we walk through them. The days ahead will require more than casual faith. They will require spiritually prepared hearts, hearts capable of discernment, compassion, endurance, courage, forgiveness, and unwavering trust in God.
Now is the time to purify our hearts and align ourselves more fully with the Savior.
It is time to seek the kind of peace the world cannot give, and if we do, though the world trembles around us, our hearts need not fail.