The Ultimate Hope-Cortney Black

In Alma 7:24 it reads, "And see that ye have faith, hope and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works." Hope is defined as, "the confident expectation of and longing for the promised blessings of righteousness." We use the principle of hope in everything we do in our lives. We use it for simple things such as hoping we will do good on a test, hoping our team will win the game or hoping that you will have enough money for something. There is a deeper hope that we must have to make it through this life. We must have hope in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and their plan that they have made for us. In Jacob 4:4 it reads, "For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us. " Here we have testimony of Christ's coming and his glory. In Mosiah 4:9 it says, "Believe in God, believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth, believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." If we do believe in God and know that he knows so much more than us, he knows what we are going through and why, we will be able to make it through anything that comes our way.

There is a quote that hangs in my house with a picture of Jesus Christ that says, "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." I love this because it is saying that this life will be hard, but that is why we are here-to show that we can make it through our trials and progress towards something better. Elder James E. Faust explains the purpose of trials in our lives, "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." We will not always understand the purpose of hard times in our lives, but through peace and hope we can know that they are for a larger purpose and will benefit us in the end. President Hinckley is one of the greatest examples I know of somebody that exhibited ultimate hope in all things. He once said, "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forwards with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsaks us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." I love the part where he says, "It all works out. Don't worry." When hard times come we need to take them as they are and persevere through whatever it may be with hope, it will all work out.

When hard times come our way we need to rely on the Lord and have hope that he will be there for us. In Alma 9:17 it reads, "And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saves, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name." We can use prayer to communicate with Heavenly Father and he can help us through any problem we ever face. When my mom was pregnant with my youngest sister, it was her sixth child and she had begun to have medical problems as the pregnancy progressed. As my mom and dad met with their doctor he urged them to consider an abortion to avoid any possible health risks on my mother and/or my sister. Not even considering this option my Mom and Dad told the doctor no, they would continue the pregnancy. Of course the doctor continued to try and convince them, but they would not budge. Throughout the pregnancy my parents relied on the Lord to help them through this difficult time. The health problems continued throughout the pregnancy, but on February 8, 1996 my little sister was delivered, with her and my mom as healthy as could be. The Lord will be merciful unto those who call on his name, he is there to support us in everything.

One thing in the church that has always impressed me is those that choose to go on missions. I have so much respect for the thousands of missionaries that are serving for our church right now, have served or will serve some day. I think it is such an amazing thing for a young person to choose to give two or one-and-a-half years of their life to the Lord. Really we all should because of all that Christ has done for us, but that age is such where so much could be happening and to choose to spend your money and time to progress the work of the Lord is amazing. These missionaries have such a strong hope that everything will work out and that a mission is where they are supposed to be. With that hope they are able to serve the Lord and the church and know that everything will work out. September 2007-My brother arriving home from his mission to Knoxville, TN.

Elder Faust tells us that the unfailing source of hope is, "the knowledge we have that we are sons and daughters of God and that His son, the Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from death. We can feel Jesus Christ's presence by continually seeking to live uner the shadow of His influcence." In Alma 22:16 it says, "But Aaron said unto him; If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all they sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall recieve, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest." If we do these things we will recieve the hope we need to make it through this life and recieve eternal life. All we need to know is that we are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants what is best for us. He is willing to do anything to help us and guide us back to him.

I would like to end by bearing my testimony that I know this church is true. I know that we are children of God and with this knowledge we can have hope and make it through anything that comes our way. This life is not easy, but in the end anything we experienced will be well worth it. I know the scriptures are true and they can serve as personal doctrine and revelation for all of us. I know President Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and leads us in these days. I am so grateful for this church and the knowledge I have of it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Works Cited:

"Hope"-Elder Faust

The Book of Mormon

"The Ultimate Hope"-Elder Neal A. Maxwell