General Conference April 2013
Did you listen to General Conference? If you don't know what it is, start by visiting: mormon.org. I learned so much from conference this last weekend. It inspired me to want to improve and become a better person.
One of the themes I noticed was about consistent obedience. As we are obedient and follow our Savior Jesus Christ, our love for him grows, our faith grows, and we obtain more blessings. It was stated numerous times that we should not pick and choose the commandments that we want to follow. It starts with the small decisions in day to day living. Are we justifying something because we don't want to miss it or we like a movie? Satan is using a lot to tempt us and if we are not careful, we could easily fall into his trap. "wickedness never was happiness" As we are obedient, we will have greater peace in our lives. We will be able to get through tough times with greater faith and knowledge of the love God has for us. The blessings are worth the sacrifice.
Another theme that stood out to me was that the geatest education occurs in the home. It is essential to have a Christ centered home, where loved ones can rest find peace. To have a Christ centered home is to have the Love of God in our hearts, a home where children are taught the gospel in word and in deed. It is to be a place of refuge.
The last them I want to expand on is how we need to act on the faith we have now. We often think to ourselves that we are weak in faith and do not have the strength. It was said to do what you can now. It startes with a desire and belief. We all have to rely on faith. Exercise the faith that you have and it will grow.
Christ, Our Hope
From the general conference address “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 21–24.
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.
Christ, Our Hope
Hope is one leg
of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three
stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might
encounter at the time. The scriptures are clear and certain about the
importance of hope.
I wish to speak of the hope that transcends the trivial and centers on the Hope of Israel,1 the great hope of mankind, even our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
What We Hope For, What We Hope In
The things we hope for
are often future events. If only we could look beyond the horizon of
mortality into what awaits us beyond this life. Is it possible to
imagine a more glorious future than the one prepared for us by our
Heavenly Father? Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again.2 Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar.3 The Savior is the Author of our Salvation.4
And what kind
of existence can we hope for? Those who come unto Christ, repent of
their sins, and live in faith will reside forever in peace. Think of the
worth of this eternal gift. Surrounded by those we love, we will know
the meaning of ultimate joy as we progress in knowledge and in
happiness. 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.
The things we hope in
sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials,
temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and
difficulty. Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem
unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the
restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light.
We hope in
Jesus the Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the
Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. This
type of hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with
courage during difficult challenges and gives strength to those who feel
threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair.
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 charity5—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.6
Never Give Up 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.”7
This is the quality of hope we must cherish and develop. Such a mature hope comes in and through our Savior Jesus Christ.
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.
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