February 1, 2025 - Mark Tuttle
We often talk of the attributes, faith, hope and charity. Of these three, perhaps “hope” is the least focused on, however, in these days of challenge and difficulty, hope may be just what we need.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf declared “Hope is ... the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance” (“The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 22).
We, individually and collectively, need hope now more than ever. It seems that our beloved prophet and apostles have delivered more messages of hope, lately than ever before. Our children need to have hope in a future that is bright and full of opportunity. President Nelson “I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands." ("Embrace the Future with Faith", October 2020 Conference)
The temple helps to build and fortify our hope. “There is no pain, no sickness, no injustice, no suffering, nothing that can darken our hope as we believe and hold tightly to our covenants with God in the house of the Lord. It is a house of light, a house of hope”. ("The Triumph of Hope", October 2024 Conference)
Hope that wayward children or others experiencing a “faith crisis” will eventually embrace truth and return to Christ is perhaps a comforting doctrine that we all can cleave to. President James E. Faust (1920–2007), former Second Counselor in the First Presidency, provided the most comprehensive explanation of this eternally important concept:
“I believe and accept the comforting statement of Elder Orson F. Whitney:
“‘The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.’ ("Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered", April 2003 Conference)
In the words of the prophet Nephi, “Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).
May we all seek for, develop, share and hold onto hope, and joyfully anticipate realization of promised blessings for ourselves and our posterity. May God bless each and every resident within the El Dorado Stake. I love you and am filled with joyful hope.