A Reason to Rejoice When All Seems Dark

Key quotes/points that stood out to me after reading this talk tonight (see source below):

"The adversary uses despair to bind hearts and minds in suffocating darkness.  Despair drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful and leaves behind the empty remnants of what life was meant to be.  Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart.  Despair can seem like a staircase that leads only and forever downward.
Hope on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances.  It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.  It encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear."

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

"We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk: one step at a time.  As we study the scriptures, speak with our Heavenly Father daily, commit to keep the commandments of God... we attain hope."

"Hope sustains us through despair.  Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us."

"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.  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]

"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."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"The Infinite Power of Hope"
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
November 2009, Ensign, p. 21 - 24
LDS.org Link: http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-infinite-power-of-hope?lang=eng

Playin' In the Rain

"Calvin and Hobbes" comic strip I photocopied and tapped to my wall next to the computer to help remind me where my priorities should lie!

When it begins to rain on our parade, do we stop and take time to savor the positive things in life?

Even during difficult challenges, there is hope and light all around us.  If we take the time to savor those moments, they will become lasting memories that will help us grow more than we ever thought and help us through future trials.

This is what I'm learning to be true in my own life right now.

~ Posted by MelissaH