Hope

A second tender mercy in the same day.  This came as I was reading PMG in preparation to writing to my missionary son.  It was the first thing I read and then the last, because my heart received the message it needed.

"Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you.  It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.  It is believing and expecting that something will occur.  When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good.  Hope helps you conquer discouragement." (Preach My Gospel p117)


I love Hope! I believe that paragraph ... I know it is true!  I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel blessed!

There are many things in life that can discourage us and indeed there have been in my life lately, and they have hit me hard lately, but I must remember to HOPE for better days ahead and remember that it will most likely "turn out better than I think".  (see also here)

Quotes to Remember

Many things from past reading and studying - I'm kinda playing catch up with my posting, though I have been reading each day.  These quotes come from
Book of Mormon Student Manual of Religion 121 and 122 (Copyright 1989, 1996)


"To be trusted ..., is a greater compliment than to be loved, and you cannot violate that trust"
President David O. McKay
(p94, reference for Alma 39:1-4)

...

"... sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return.  Without repentance there can be no forgiveness, and wihout forgiveness all the blessings of eternity hang in jeopardy."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
(p94, reference for Alma 39:6)

...

"When one has wronged another in deep transgresson or in injuries of lesser magnitude, he, the aggressor, who gave the offense, regardless of the attitude of the other party, should immediatley make amends by confessing to the injured one and doing all in his power to clear up the matter and again establish good feelings between the two parties."
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
(p95, reference for Alma 39:12-14)

...

"Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression..."

"When I do good I feel good, and when I do bad I feel bad"
Abraham Lincoln
 

"Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God's laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight.

"Those who are heavy laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light."

(See Matthew 11:28-30)

 President Ezra Taft Benson
(p96, reference for Alma 41:10)

 

Helaman 5 (esp. vs 40-47) = Liken unto Depression

I love this promise!   Consider the "cloud of darkness" as ones inner feelings during times of depression.   I know this works - I have put it to the test more than once.

 

 

"What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from over-shadowing us?" (v40)

 

"You must repent, and cry unto the [Lord], even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you..., and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you." (v41)

 

"... they did ..." (v42)

 

"the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them ..." (v43)

 

"... and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory." (v44)

 

"And the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled ...." (v45)

 

"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in [Him]."  (v47)