I just received my monthly Ensign magazine in the mail today and I had to turn to Elder Uchtdorf's talk on Hope. His message was probably my favorite this last conference. All the messages were good but there is always that ONE message which grabs my heart and hangs on for days and weeks.
"Hope is the abiding TRUST that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It's CONFIDENCE that if we live according to God's laws and the words of His prophets now, we will recieve desired blessings in the future. It is BELIEVING and EXPECTING our prayers to be answered. It is manifest in CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM, ENTHUSIASM, and PATIENT PERSEVERANCE. No matter how black 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. "
There is no lack of trust, discouragement, or pesimism in HOPE. The scriptures remind us that "Our eyes hath not seen, no ears heard, neither have entered into our heart the things which God has prepared for us who love Him."
For those of us who have lived through the blackest chapters of our lives , and some of us still living the blackest chapter, know that this message is what gets us up in the morning, which grabs that smile hidden deep down in our soul. It's why we can laugh, serve in our various callings in the church, and be sympathetic,
and understanding. It strengthens us to be slow to anger and avoid contention. It's why we can survive the challenges and trials that could have destroyed us and our families, literally! It's why we can pay our tithing when our fridge is bare or the car insurance is over due. It's why we can sacrifice all our time, talents and riches, no matter how small to the poor and needy.
The election this year has put a strain on all of us. Families are quarrelling amongst each other, racial slurs and offensive jokes about both parties were heard everyday. I have seen it turn the most compassionate people to hate, and ridicule. E-mails and text messages are slamming every ones cell phones and personal e-mails with pathetic black jokes and ridiculous stories.
There is no doubt in my mind that Elder Uchtdofs message was meant for this last conference prior to the election. HAVE WE LOST SITE OF THE HOPE taught in the scriptures and by our prophets that is meant for EVERYONE, black or white!
The biggest question I have is, "What white person knows the trials and struggles of being black?"
Could this Presidential election be a way for the country to put away all the black hatred and white pride ? Stop and think about it for just a minute! Maybe having a black President will bring HOPE to all those impoverished black communities with a message that THEY CAN RISE ABOVE IT, the HOPE that God promises ALL OF HIS CHILDREN!
Let us not be judge and jury to a man that might really do this country some good. Instead, we need to pray for our President everyday, no matter who he is. And get back the HOPE we need so we can believe that our prayers will be answered. So we can have CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM, ENTHUSIASM, and PATIENT PERSEVERANCE!
I'm grateful to my daughter Lacey who has really taken flack for her Democratic beliefs. She has always stood her ground no matter what her beliefs are. She knows who she is and where she came from and never would feel threatened to help her fellowmen to over come
hardships and better their lives through tithes and offerings or taxes. Thank you Lacey for your continuing example of Christ like love you exhibit to everyone.
