Hope

Hope

1.  “After all we can do in faith, the Lord will justify our hopes for greater blessings for our families than we can imagine.  He wants the best for them and for us, as His children.” Henry B. Erying, “A Priceless Heritage of Hope”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/a-priceless-heritage-of-hope?lang=eng

2.  “Real hope keeps us ‘anxiously engaged’ in good causes even when these appear to be losing causes on the mortal scoreboard.  Likewise, real hope is much more than wishful musing.  It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.  Hope is serene, not giddy, eager without being naïve, and pleasantly steady without being smug.  Hope is realistic anticipation which take the form of a determinations—not only to survive adversity but, moreover, to ‘endure…well’ to the end.” Neal A. Maxwell, “Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/1998/10/hope-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng&clang=eng

3.  “Such ultimate hope constitutes the ‘anchor of the soul’ and is retained through the gift of the Holy Ghost and faith in Christ.  In contrast, viewing life without the prospect of immortality can diminish not only hope but also the sense of personal accountability”  Neal A. Maxwell, “Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/1998/10/hope-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng&clang=eng

4.  “Our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ and keep His commandments requires a degree of faith, but as we honor our covenants, that faith expands.  In the first place, the promised fruits of obedience become evident, which confirms our faith.  Secondly, the Spirit communicates God’s pleasure, and we feel secure in His continued blessing and help.  Thirdly, come what may, we can face life with hope and equanimity, knowing that we will succeed in the end because we have God’s promise to us individually by name, and we know He cannot lie.” D Todd Chistofferson, “The Power of Covenants”, www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/the-power-of-covenants?lang=eng

5.  “But where do we find hope in the midst of such turmoil and catastrophe? Quite simply, our one hope for spiritual safety during these turbulent times is to turn our minds and our hearts to Jesus Christ.” M Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled”, www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/the-joy-of-hope-fulfilled?lang=eng

6.  “As we put our faith and trust to work, hope is born.  Hope grow out of faith and finds meaning and purpose to all that we do.  It can even give us the peaceful assurance we need to live happily in a world that is ripe with iniquity, calamity, and injustice.” M Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/the-joy-of-hope-fulfilled?lang=eng

7.  “When you were baptized, you became participants in the first great hope, the Atonement of Christ. Every time you worthily partake of the sacrament, you have the opportunity to begin again and do a little better.  It is like burying the old, unworthy part of yourself and starting over with a new life” Julie B. Beck “There is Hope Smiling Brightly Before Us”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2003/04/there-is-hope-smiling-brightly-before-us?lang=eng&clang=eng

8.  “Your hope and faith in the Savior will increase as you repent and make personal changes that are the equivalent of burying your own sins.  When you repent and worthily partake of the sacrament, you can then ‘walk in newness of life’.  There is hope smiling brightly before you because of the Atonement of Christ.” Julie B. Beck “There is Hope Smiling Brightly Before Us”, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2003/04/there-is-hope-smiling-brightly-before-us?lang=eng&clang=eng

9.  “Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties.  That is part of our mortal test.  The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand.  Peace comes through hope.” James E. Faust, “Hope, an Anchor of the Soul”, www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/hope-an-anchor-of-the-soul?lang=eng

10.  “Hope is trust in God’s promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future.” James E Faust, “Hope, an Anchor of the Soul”, www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/hope-an-anchor-of-the-soul?lang=eng

Position Statement:

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings me hope.  Even though life is hard and the world seems to be in turmoil, I have hope that if I follow the Savior, I will have peace and strength.  I have found when I am serving, praying, and reading the scriptures, life is much easier to handle.  I find peace and hope even when life is hard.  God did not intend for me to live my life in despair over the calamities in the world.  He intended for me to be happy and enjoy the journey.  Hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ and in His teachings brings happiness into my life.