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.