Wherefore, 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
Keep looking up to keep your hope bright and shiny!
And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.
Ether 12:32
In ancient Jewish tradition, an engaged bridegroom would build or prepare his own home within his father’s property, a house in the “mansion of his father” to present to his bride. In figurative terms in the scriptures, Christ is the bridegroom, and his church is his bride.
About the custom of building a home for the bride,
“The new home was built under the direct personal supervision of the groom’s father. In that culture, a son is considered to be a representative of his father, and everything that the son does reflects either favorably or unfavorably on the father. Every aspect of the son’s daily life was considered an extension of his father’s training and teachings.” (Beloved Bridegroom by Donna B. Nielsen, p. 34.)
The house he prepares for us is with the toil of His Atonement. As the bride, we are to watch and wait in worthiness for his coming. In Jewish tradition, the arrival of the bridegroom was a surprise, as the coming of the Savior will be someday. Our task is to wait, with hope, for all the good things he has prepared for us.
My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may the showing of his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.
Moroni 9:25
I really love this video. I like how they convey music transporting them to another time, and experiencing the same feelings as the shepherds and wise men. “May Christ lift thee up.”
This December, my Advent theme is Hope. It’s my plan to share something each day leading up to Christmas. Today, I include some words by Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:18-20
“Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as ‘hope for a better world.’ For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of ‘good things to come.’
“My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the ‘light that is endless, that can never be darkened.’ It is the very Son of God Himself. In loving praise far beyond Romeo’s reach, we say, ‘What light through yonder window breaks?’ It is the return of hope, and Jesus is the Sun. To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His ‘more excellent ministry’ with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.‘ -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, November 1999
This December, my Advent theme is Hope. It’s my plan to share something each day leading up to Christmas. Today, I share one of my favorite stories of a person who brought hope to others.
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
Ether 12:4
“From little things come big things…”
If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Alma 32:21
This December, my Advent theme is Hope. It’s my plan to share something each day leading up to Christmas.
Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken.
Jacob 4:6
This photo of President Nelson inspires me. I think searching the scriptures has been the most important way I have found hope. In this practice, I try to be as faithful as a prophet. When the kids were younger and finding time to read the scriptures was harder, or now, in an emergency, I try to close my eyes and recite a scripture in my mind when I can’t read. The scripture I recite most often is Psalm 19:7. I memorized it in high school, and have repeated it on the most challenging days for 30 years. It’s the closest thing I have to a mantra.
As far as I can tell, they leave the meeting up on YouTube for a while after the meeting, so you can watch at your convenience. If you do watch, I hope you will let me know. I will be speaking to just a few people and a camera. As a young friend said as he spoke to the camera from the pulpit, “I never thought I would be a televangelist!” 😁
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2020/12/how-i-know?lang=eng
Hooray for Paige! If you want to see more of her art, you can find her on Instagram and her website.
@paigemclaughlinart
Paigemclaughlinart.com
…I don’t know their preferences on politics and television shows.
…I stay away from social media.
…I speak to them in person.
…I cease to label them.
…I don’t replay hurtful situations in my mind.
…I use the phrase from Pahoran to Captain Moroni, “It mattereth not,” when somebody speaks in ignorance about me or mine.
…I work on becoming closer to God, and pray for the gift of charity.
…I do something nice for them.
There have been times in my life when I have loved more than I love now, and the key was to be with people, listen to their stories, and do all I could to help them. I have made a commitment at 11:30 each day to reach out to someone, to have a real voice conversation, or to be helpful. I am still struggling to regain my health six months past surgery, but sick or well, I can make a phonecall or write a letter.