Everyone has trials, everyone has problems; and at times these things can discourage us and bring our spirits down. As it says in 2 Nephi 2:11, “there is opposition in all things.” So it is natural for us to feel down at time. However we cannot let the struggles we go through take over our lives. We must use the solution of hope to overcome our trials. We must look at them from a different perspective and see the hope of the future.
Recently about a year ago, a man that I deeply admired passed away. He was a man that had an impact and was an example on my life. His passing was kind of a shock to me, for I didn’t see it coming so soon. However, once I took in the fact that he has moved on, and I looked at his passing in an eternal perspective, I remembered that I will one day be able to see him again. It says in Alma 11:45, “Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.” This verse reminds me that we will both be one day resurrected; and I will be able to see him again.
One of my everyday goals in life is to constantly be striving to be an exemplar of the lifestyle of Jesus Christ, and live as pure of a life as he did. I try to live and act the way that would. This means that I am constantly trying to involve myself in good works. In Alma 7:24 it says, “and see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works”. As this scripture says Hope is one of the ways for me to involve in good works, and be one step closer to acting like Christ, and just as it says in John 3:3, if I have hope, I can be pure even as he is pure.
Hope is a power that helps me to look forward to the eternities. I Mosiah 4:6 it says, “…salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even until the end of his life”. This verse brings hope to my being, because it says that I have an opportunity to live with god forever and have salvation, as long as I follow his commandments and endure to the end even till very moment I breathe my last breath.
I look forward to the time that Christ comes again. Just as the people in Jacob 4, I too have a hope of his glory to come and of the prophets of our day. They truly are prophets of god, and lead our church under gods command. I am so grateful for the power of hope and the infinite joy that it gives me to help me get through the trials of my life. I am so grateful for my many blessings, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sources
2 Nephi 2:11
Alma 11:45
Alma 7:24
Mosiah 4:8
John 3:3
Jacob 4:4
2008 General conference address, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope".
8 comments:
Ryan, this blog feels very personal. Good job!
I really enjoyed your blog and thank you so much for your wonderful, sincere testimony!
I absolutely loved your use of scripture in this blog! It helped me understand the concept thoroughly.
I know where you are coming from. My dad died when I was eight and so having the hope to look forward to being together again is extremely rewarding. Good Job.
Ryan,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. I lost my grandmother a year ago, and while at first I felt devastated at the loss, my remembrance of the Lord's eternal plan for each of us helped me to overcome my grief and feel joy in the fact we will be reunited once again as a family. We will be doing her temple work in February. I really loved this scripture which said, "salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even until the end of his life."
hope is very important for us. if we believe we have hope. is part of the plan. i really liked your bloog i learned something else today.
I liked the comments on how hope helps us get through our trials and helps us have good works. Thanks for the blog!
The way you supported your thoughts with scriptures was amazing. I enjoyed your advice to overcome our struggles. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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