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for faith is “the substance of things hoped for.”
Hope is critical to both faith and charity.
When disobedience, disappointment,
and procrastination erode faith,
hope is there to uphold our faith.
When frustration and impatience challenge charity,
hope braces our resolve and urges us to care
for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward.
The brighter our hope, the greater our faith.
The stronger our hope, the purer our charity.
The things we hope for lead us to faith,
while the things we hope in lead us to charity.
The three qualities— faith, hope, and charity
—working together, grounded on the truth and light
of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,
lead us to abound in good works.
Hope from Personal Experience
Each time a hope is fulfilled,
it creates confidence and leads to greater hope.
I can think of many instances in my life
where I learned firsthand the power of hope.
I well remember the days in my childhood encompassed
by the horrors and despair of a world war,
the lack of educational opportunities,
life-threatening health issues during youth,
and the challenging and discouraging economic
experiences as a refugee.
The example of our mother, even in the worst of times,
to move forward and put faith and hope into action,
not just worrying or wishful thinking,
sustained our family and me and gave confidence
that present circumstances would give way
to future blessings.
I know from these experiences
that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and our membership
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
that strengthen faith, offer a bright hope,
and lead us to charity.
Hope sustains us through despair.
If only we could glimpse for a moment what the Lord
has in store for us not ony in the next life
but in this one as well our hope would be unshakable
and despair could never overcome us
Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even
when all seems dark around us.
With Jeremiah I proclaim,
“Blessed is the man… whose hope the Lord is.”
With Joel I testify, that
“The Lord [is] the hope of his people,
and the strength of the children of Israel.”
With Nephi I declare: “Press forward with
a steadfastness in Christ,
having a perfect brightness of hope,
and a love of God and of all men.
feasting upon the word of Christ,
and endure to the end, behold,
thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
This is the quality of hope we must cherish and develop.
Such a mature hope comes in and through
our Savior Jesus Christ,
for “every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as [the Savior] is pure.”
The Lord has given us a reassuring message of hope:
“Fear not, little flock.”
God will wait with “open arms to receive”
those who give away their sins and continue
in faith, hope, and charity.
And to all who suffer— to all who feel discouraged,
worried, or lonely— I say with love
and deep concern for you, never give in.
Never surrender.
Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.
Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel,
for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness,
softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart.
Of this I testify and leave you my blessing
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.