Today at church we discussed the principle of hope. The teacher of our class taught a beautiful lesson from the most recent conference address given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled, "The Infinite Power of Hope."
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-7,00.html
During the lesson I was reminded of our experiences last August as we heard the news of Sarah's terminal brain cancer. I remember the pains I felt physically and emotionally as I tried to understand and accept why her precious life would be shortened. I remember feelings of despair as I tried to picture our family without our beautiful daughter. For comfort, I began to search the words of Latter-Day Prophets.
The Prophet Joseph Smith declared that "Parents who lose children to death will receive them in the resurrection just as they laid them down...and pointing to the mother of a lifeless child, he said to her: 'You will have the joy, the pleasure and satisfaction of nurturing this child, after its resurrection, until it reaches the full stature of its spirit.'" Knowing that I will be reunited with Sarah and have the joy of nurturing and caring for her brings me such comfort and hope.
President Uchtdorf reminds us of the power of hope, "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."
I know through this most recent challenge of my daughter passing away, as well as other experiences I have had in life, that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has blessed me with hope and faith. President Uchtdorf invites each of us to "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."
11 comments:
Thank you for your uplifiting words. I will remember this talk during low times. We sure love you and appreciate your example!
Your testimony is truly a strength to me. Your family continues to be in our prayers.
Thank you so much for your example of abiding faith and your thoughts on hope - the strength of your family gives our family strength.
Beautifully written, Christine. We are so grateful for the gospel too. We love your family so much.
Thank you for your comments on my blog and for the wonderful and helpful items you donated. Those things helped me so much - thank you. The lessons on Sunday were perfect for me to ponder as well. My testimony has been strengthened already. Thank you for your advice and love.
You inspire me! You have so much strength and I admire you so much! I hope you and your family are doing well. I think of you all the time!
Oh My Friend.............
Our families are no coincidence, are they? Two Daughters of God...... I hope that they are running through the meadows of heaven together.
"The Power of Hope" talk is on my night-stand. "Sunday's Will Come Again" I carry with me. I hope that you will continue to write. It is a wonderful tool to heal the soul. Someday, your children will need to read your thoughts and feelings. It will be the hope they need, in times they least expect it. Your example with Brian, will lift them up and carry them through
Your family, will be carried on the wings of hope, faith and truth.....this I know for sure!
I was blog hopping and stumbled upon your site. (Hope you don't mind!) I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your comment regarding the pure love of Christ that you gave in addition to Sunday's RS lesson. It definitely gave me something to think about this week.
That is my favorite talk from last conference. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
You continue to strengthen our testimony. You are such an amazing family! you have no idea how much you inspire us. we love and pray for you and your sweet family!
My faith never waivers, it's hope that I tend to lose hold of. I'm so grateful for my little children who with simple faith and the brightest hope, help me see the light in everything and even with knowing they could very likely lose their brother, speak as if Heavenly Father has already performed the miracle needed to save Peyton from his brain cancer.
Thanks for sharing this. Your thoughts on things like this, like our recent conversations, bring me comfort knowing that there is someone who knows the darkness of this trial and yet still manages to radiate such beautiful light.
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