The other week I was asked to give a talk on hope. At first I was a little intimidated, because I didn't really know how to address it. I decided to look through my posts to see if I had already written about and I came across The Power of Hope. This clip has such a powerful message, and it helped me to get a start on my talk, so I wanted to share it with you.
Now,
I would like you all to think of a time where you were very scared, or where
you felt completely lost…
For me, this was my first semester of college. I’m from little old Rexburg, and I’ve lived here my whole life. However,
instead of coming to BYU-Idaho, I went to BYU-Hawaii first. I know, pretty
chill life, why would I have complained? Well, I’ll say right now that I
absolutely loved it and I would go back in a heartbeat; at the time though I
was terrified. It was my first time being away from home permanently for a long
period of time. Some of you might understand my situation. It was hard to not
be close to my family and participate in traditions and go to my brother’s
soccer games and have girls’ nights with my little sister. I remember being
terrified that I wouldn’t be able to make any friends and that I wouldn’t be
able to enjoy myself. Once I got there I felt completely lost. Laie is very
different than Rexburg. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to, and it was
a struggle. However, there was one thing that kept me going. What do you think it was?
I want you all to
think back to your times where you were scared or lost and think of how you
made it through. Did hope have any play in your ability to keep going?
For
those of you who know me, I love The Hunger Games. My ringtone is even Rue’s
whistle. :) At one point President Snow explains that the reason they have a
victor is because of hope. He states, “Hope is the only thing stronger than
fear.”
Now,
I don’t necessarily love President Snow, but I do agree with this statement. If
there was nothing stronger than fear we wouldn’t be able to overcome it.
However, just because there is something stronger than fear doesn’t mean we
automatically overcome it. Hope is a choice, but what exactly is hope?
We
all have hopes and dreams. However, I think that this look at hope diminishes its real power. I read a talk by Larry Miller called Hope: The
Misunderstood Sister. He explains how there are three sisters: faith, charity
and hope. Faith is the most talked about sister. She leads the way so that we
can find our way back to our Heavenly Father. Charity is who we aspire to be
like. She is always kind and genuine. However, hope is often used in a sense of
keeping our fingers crossed so that all will work out; it’s not very reliable.
But, "Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience." He
shares a poem that I felt was very applicable to life.
Walking with Two Sisters
Faith walks before me,
Holding up her lamp
As I try not to stumble in the ink-dark
hours before the dawn.
Her light illuminates
One step and then another.
Beside me, Hope, arm linked with
mine, encourages and steadies.
Sometimes in the tedium,
Distracted by the pain,
My mind begins to wander, then my
feet. I hesitate.
Unsure, I look to Hope.
Her hand takes mine.
The touch reminds me of another hand
held out to me,
One pierced and scarred
Yet oh so tender
Lifting me and blessing me when I
had fallen and despaired.
Remembering,
I move ahead
Buoyed up by Hope, who sees the end
with perfect clarity.
Because
of Jesus Christ’s Atonement we can have hope throughout our life. (Moroni
7:40-43 explains this well!)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared the following statement in this talk The Infinite Power of Hope;
The Lord has given us a reassuring message of hope: "Fear not, little flock." God will wait with "open arms to receive" those who give away their sins and continue in faith, hope, and charity. And to all who suffer--to all who feel discouraged, worried or lonely--I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in. Never surrender. Never allow despair to overcome your spirit. Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the Love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart."
Hope
is always looking for the best. An easy way to think this way is to just look
at the word. The first letters form a sentence. Have Only Positive Expectations.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Things will work out. Keep trying. Be
believing. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.”
Trials
are going to come our way and we need to be looking for the positive outcomes.
However, hope does not mean that we turn a blind eye to the world. I found a
quote on Pinterest…don’t judge me… that sums this up very well. “Hope is not
pretending that troubles don’t exist. It is the hope that they won’t last
forever. That hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome. That we will be
lead out of the darkness and into the sunshine.”
Because
of the Gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we can have
hope in everything. This can provide us with stable ground to live our lives
from. Hope is necessary for us to be happy.
(Some great scriputers are Ether 12:4 and Moroni 10:20-22)
President
Thomas S Monson tells us, “I testify to you that our promised blessings are
beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour
down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father
and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we
walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world
that can defeat us.”
We
must have hope to reach the limits God has set for us. We may not feel like we
can stretch as far as He wants, but He will never put something in front of us
that we cannot do. We have hope that He will always be there for us.
Now,
I’ve spent the majority of my talk on keeping hope within yourself, but I
wanted to mention something quickly. Although we need to have this kind of hope
we also need to instill hope in others. Sometimes you are the reason somebody
has hope. They cling to your support and strength in their life and you help
them to move forward. Never give up an opportunity to be hope for somebody
else. Sometimes all it takes is an arm of comfort, a shoulder to cry on, a
memory to remember, or a laugh to share. Be there star in the darkness. We all look to one another to find
hope, and we need to remember to have charity towards all and help life each
other up.
Neal A. Maxwell said, “Genuine hope is
urgently needed in order to be more loving even as the love of many waxes cold;
more merciful, even when misunderstood or misrepresented; more holy, even as
the world ripens in iniquity; more courteous and patient in a coarsening and
curt world; and more full of heartfelt hope, even when other men’s hearts fail
them. Whatever our particular furrow, we are to ‘plow in hope,’ without looking
back or letting yesterday hold tomorrow hostage (1 Cor. 9:10).”
I
would like to leave you with a little “Knapsack of Hope.”
A
star to remind you to keep shining.
A
paper clip to help you hold your things together.
An
eraser to fix all the small mistakes.
A
lock to keep all your secrets safe.
A
penny so that you’re never broke.
A
rubber band to help you stretch beyond your limits.
I
know that hope is very important in this gospel, and I pray that you can always keep it in mind.
Hope
is not just a careless wish, it is the rock that holds us steady when we sway,
it is the anchor that keeps us firm when we drift, it is the Savior walking
with us step by step always encouraging, it is the voice at the end of the day
saying keep moving forward I am here with you always.
