Hope in His Words

For these past couple of days, this particular attribute has been popping into my mind a lot. It has been through reading, studying, listening and other people that this word has been repeated numerous times. It is times like these where I am grateful because I feel like Heavenly Father wants me to expand my knowledge and learn of Him. I finally came to a conclusion that I must study about this particular Christ like attribute—Hope. As I pondered about this, a scripture came to mind. The Apostle Paul taught, “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:14) I have come to love and appreciate the scriptures more and more each day. I do find a lot of comfort and hope from these Holy Scriptures! Elder Richard G. Scott this last General Conference assured us that, “Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth. We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained in the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures… The scriptures provide strength. And they are always available when needed.” I am grateful for the scriptures and the understanding that I gain as I study, search, and ponder about the messages that I read. It has answered a lot of my questions, has given me great hope, and has definitely strengthened my testimony about my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Spencer W. Kimball once said, “There are blessings that come from immersing ourselves in the scriptures. The ‘Distance’ narrows between our Father in Heaven and ourselves. Our spirituality shines brighter.” I have seen this in my own life as I have studied my scriptures diligently. The scriptures has given me great guidance and direction of where, when, what, why, and how to live my life. We have been taught by the Lord, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (D&C 14:7) This is the great hope that I want to talk about! There are many great examples, stories, and accounts in the Book of Mormon of people gaining a sure and an unwavering trust in the Lord because of His words and teachings. They expounded, heeded, likened, and studied the scriptures diligently. Their hope grew as they relied on the Lord, Jesus Christ, 'the greatest hope,' that through Him, we can gain eternal life. Obtaining this great attribute of hope starts with learning about our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ, through these great tools that have been provided for us. As I pondered about this, I thought of the Nephites who 'knew of Christ and had hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming'. (Jacob 4:4) We too can have hope and look forward to His Second Coming by preparing ourselves to accept and live His gospel. I often think of Nephi when he admonishes the people to 'press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope...feasting upon the words of Christ--to gain eternal life.' (2 Nephi 31:20) The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father's plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know 'the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent' (John 17:3).
I am grateful for the scriptures and the love of my Heavenly Father that is found in His Holy Words. I rejoice and exalt in the hope that the scriptures bring, knowing that according to the promises of the Lord, I can dwell with him in a state of happiness--the greatest gift of eternal life. Because Christ walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, I am not alone. His solitary journey brings great company to my life and my own little journey. The merciful care of my Father in heaven, the unfailing companionship of His Beloved Son, the crowning gift of the Holy Ghost, the sacred scriptures that His provided for us--I can find great hope and assurance that I will never be left comfortless. And through the Savior’s selfless act of compassion and love, I can return back home to my Father in heaven.

His Infinite Love

I have not posted for a while but a lot has happened since the last time I blogged. I have been transferred to Cordelia, where it's windy and beautiful. I have been here for about 8 weeks. I have learned a lot about the Lord, His work and glory, and especially a lot about myself. The scriptures have taught me, have given me comfort, and answered a lot of my questions as I have searched them diligently. The mysteries of God will be unfolded unto us as we heed His words with an open heart. There are so many experiences and thoughts I want to share, but I have narrowed it down to one, the Savior.

I was reading this morning about the Savior's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest. I was moved into tears as I pondered about His great love and compassion towards all men whether good or bad. In His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed earnestly to the Father saying, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:4-5) He continues pleading with the Father on our behalf, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:15-22) Though He suffered beyond comprehension--so much that He bled from every pore and asked whether it was possible that his burden be lifted from Him--He submitted to the Father's will in a supreme expression of love for His Father and us.

His love and His great gift of the Atonement will wash away our sins, lift our burdens, and bring great peace and comfort into our heart. There are times we may ask why, and wonder why things are too hard to handle, but with the Savior's great gift of Atonement--we can be freed. Elder Holland has taught us, "Some gifts coming from the Atonement are universal, infinite, and unconditional. Other aspects of Christ’s atoning gift are conditional. They depend on one’s diligence in keeping God’s commandments. For example, while all members of the human family are freely given a reprieve from Adam’s sin through no effort of their own, they are not given a reprieve from their own sins unless they pledge faith in Christ, repent of those sins, are baptized in His name, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and confirmation into Christ’s Church, and press forward in faithful endurance the remainder of life’s journey. Of this personal challenge, Christ said, ‘For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I.'”

The grace of Christ is sufficient—sufficient to cover our debt, sufficient to transform us, and sufficient to help us as long as that transformation process takes. Because of the Atonement, the Savior understands my fears, and He comforts me through the Holy Ghost. He knows my weaknesses, and He helps me to overcome them. He has never left me alone, but He has strengthened me and expanded my heart. The Lord held out His hand to me three years ago, and the gospel changed my life. Thanks to His Atonement, I was redeemed from the choices of the past and was able to feel in my heart the miracle of forgiveness. Jesus Christ accompanies and strengthens us each day if we are worthy. Not only are our sins erased and forgotten, but His light radiates in our personal and professional lives. He is our Savior, the Son of God. His love is infinite. If we live as He would have us live, we will share His love and have the hope of returning to live with Him and our Heavenly Father forever.