Faith and Hope

Easter has always had a special place in our hearts. It happens to be the day that our beloved daughter, Katie, passed away. Six Easter's ago, our hearts were broken, it seemed at first a cruel trick to make us remember her death on this happy day. But it turns out it was actually a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father for her death to come on the same day we celebrate our Savior's triumph over the grave.

It became impossible to feel despair at the loss of my daughter and still keep hold of the faith I have in Jesus Christ. Despair became hope.

Mormon explained how faith and hope work hand in hand. 

 40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning ^ahope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

 41 And what is it that ye shall ^ahope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have ^bhope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life ^ceternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

 42 Wherefore, if a man have ^afaith he ^bmust needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

A little bit at a time I began to use my faith to turn despair into hope. Hope doesn't mean that maybe something will happen and I desire it to happen. Hope is knowing something will happen and believing the promises you have been given will be kept. 

It didn't take me long to realize that the pain and anguish I felt was only bearable because of the strength of faith and hope in the promise of the resurrection.

Every year I welcome the celebration of Easter; the celebration of the promise that will someday reunite us. And each year, my faith and hope grows as I work towards that day.

Four Ways Scripture Study Will Improve Your Child's Life

Throughout this weekend's General Conference talks, ideas were shared on how scripture study will improve your life.


1) Sis Linda S. Reeves talked of pornography and the way it has infiltrated our society. She suggested that we each need a personal filter. This filter consists of daily family scripture study and family prayer and weekly family home evening. She promised that this simple acts will grow a testimony of the love of our Heavenly Father and the Savior's atoning sacrifice for each of us.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3434724760001&cid=9

2) Elder Russell M. Nelson discussed that knowledge is power. Knowledge from the scriptures will provide one of the best ways to find and stay on course and will provide precious protection (both temporal and spiritual).
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3435558375001&cid=6

3) Sis Jean A Stevens said that the scriptures show that God will deliver his children. She talked about David, Nephi, and Joseph Smith as examples of how God loves his children and wants to help us.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3438304099001&cid=6

4) Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis told us that scriptures teach us how to find the truth, even in a world that attacks the truth. We are taught to observe its fruits, experiment upon the word, and use personal revelation to seek truth.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3439077339001&cid=9

Reevaluate where your personal and family scripture study. How could it be better? Make it a priority.

I'm grateful for prophets of God, who teach us and strengthen us along the path back to our Heavenly Father.