It is a fact that there is always hope, for our spirits are eternal. As the heart gives life to the body, so it seems that hope is an enlivening influence to the spirit-which is the real us. A person without hope is like a person without a heart there is nothing to keep him going. Therefore, as he is the embodiment of hope and has a fullness of hope, there is planted deep within each of us something we cannot deny, for it is part of the very essence of ourselves and that is what we all, in mortality, hope. But why? Why does hope spring eternal? Why do we keep coming back and back after so many defeats? Simply because God is eternal and God is hope (as well as love-and they may be the same) and we are his children. Why do we keep on hoping? They say, “Hope springs eternal,” and it’s good it does, for it gives us something to live for, to strive for, to hope for. I’m sure if I were familiar with other cultures-French or Russian or Chinese or another-there would be something similar, because it is in all people. There is a saying-a proverb-in Tongan that goes, “ ’Ikai ke’i ai ha mamahi hange ha ’amanaki to noa.” That means, “There is no pain so great as a hope unfulfilled.” In all ages of time and in all dispensations, people have felt a need for hope. Where does hope come from? Why should we have hope? Why do we keep on hoping even after we blow our diet or get a bad grade or lose a close game or get turned down in some way or another? No matter how tenuous or thin it might be, there is always hope. Hope is a part of the deity in us that attaches us to the Savior. You will have to think of your own definition, but one other is:Īnd if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light , and there shall be no darkness in you and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things . Christ is the true light that is in all men-Christ is the true hope that is in all men (see D&C 88:50). The Spirit giveth light to every man-the Spirit giveth hope to every man (see D&C 84:46). The Lord sent the everlasting gospel to be a light unto the Gentiles-to be a hope to the Gentiles (see Acts 13:47). I think that in some instances we may be able to substitute the word hope for light and get some understanding in the scriptures, i.e., we talk about Christ as being the light of the world-he is the hope of the world (see Mosiah 16:9).
It is a light within us that pierces the darkness of doubt and discouragement and taps into the light (hope) of all creation-even the Savior. What is hope? I suppose that it is like trying to define faith or love it is very difficult, but we can use some examples. What do we mean by hope? What is hope? Why should we have hope? What do we hope for? What are some of the signs of true hope? How do we get more hope? Let’s take these questions and discuss them. Part of the thirteenth article of faith reads, “We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.” Do we really believe that? Are we literally supposed to hope all things? We sing the hymn “ We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” all the time, but do we listen to the words? What do you feel when you sing “When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us And threaten our peace to destroy, There is hope smiling brightly before us, And we know that deliverance is nigh” ( Hymns, no. No matter how dismal things appear, no matter how problem-prone we seem to be, no matter what reversals and setbacks we suffer, there is always hope. I hope that you don’t get tired, but that you understand. But, in any event, to make sure we all hear, I will use the phrase “There is always hope” not just twenty, but at least thirty times this evening.
My experience with my own children is that twenty times is far too few. I have read and heard from different psychologists and teachers that we must hear something at least twenty times before we really hear it. The subject I wish to speak on is one that I hope you will appreciate.
(It’s good to pray for one another it helps everyone.) In order for that to happen I ask for your faith and prayers on behalf of all of us, that what is said and what is heard will be influenced and touched by the Spirit of God. I want to visit with you this evening on a level that is both mutually understandable and mutually profitable.