Hope

[Still_Small_Voice]

This was part of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk. I really liked it and thought I would post it for all to read:

There may be times when we must make a courageous decision to hope even when everything around us contradicts this hope. Like Father Abraham, we will “against hope [believe] in hope.” Or, as one writer expressed, “in the depth of winter, [we find] within [us] an invincible summer.”

Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is “the substance of things hoped for.”

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 charity—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.

[jadams_4040]

This was part of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk. I really liked it and thought I would post it for all to read:

There may be times when we must make a courageous decision to hope even when everything around us contradicts this hope. Like Father Abraham, we will “against hope [believe] in hope.” Or, as one writer expressed, “in the depth of winter, [we find] within [us] an invincible summer.”

Faith, hope, and charity complement each other, and as one increases, the others grow as well. Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is “the substance of things hoped for.”

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 charity—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.

I was "hopeing" that many others would be attracted to ucdortfs message. {good work!}:)

[pam]

He is one that I love to listen to. Thanks for sharing.

[lindsayjane]

Hmmm...I run into a dilemma as I ponder the "faith, hope, and charity" triad. I have found them to be completely independent forces in my life. I can understand the premise of the statements in scripture and quotes, but I have not proved it by experience. I have experienced the increase of hope with the increase of faith, but I have also maintained "blind" hope in the complete absence of faith (such as during inactivity). I continue to find peace in a hope for many things that I do not have faith in, and I recognize that often my hope is unfounded in my heart. (A habit of hope perhaps?) Such is also the case with charity. I have often thought my charity to be a spiritual gift, one which I prayed for and received years ago. I had always been compassionate, but I was given a gift of unconditional love at a crucial time in my life when my callings required it. I retain that gift to this day and I retained it though inactivity and loss of faith. I have never felt it diminish. In fact, as I have come into contact with more non-members and more who would challenge my capacity for tolerance and compassion, I have only felt that love expand. I do not love out of hope or faith. I just love because I love. So I challenge the notion that faith, hope, and charity depend upon each other universally.

[Palerider]

hope is a good thing.....we hope to be able to endure all things....:)

[Still_Small_Voice]

So I challenge the notion that faith, hope, and charity depend upon each other universally.

It is possible to have one of these characteristics and lack others. But I think President Uchtdorf is teaching about faith, hope and charity that lead us to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

[Still_Small_Voice]

Here is the link to the entire talk:

The Infinite Power of Hope

[Palerider]

Here is the link to the entire talk:

The Infinite Power of Hope

thank you for sharing......:)

[lindsayjane]

Thank you, as well.

[HiJolly]

Hmmm...I run into a dilemma as I ponder the "faith, hope, and charity" triad. I have found them to be completely independent forces in my life. I can understand the premise of the statements in scripture and quotes, but I have not proved it by experience. I have experienced the increase of hope with the increase of faith, but I have also maintained "blind" hope in the complete absence of faith (such as during inactivity). I continue to find peace in a hope for many things that I do not have faith in, and I recognize that often my hope is unfounded in my heart. (A habit of hope perhaps?) Such is also the case with charity. I have often thought my charity to be a spiritual gift, one which I prayed for and received years ago. I had always been compassionate, but I was given a gift of unconditional love at a crucial time in my life when my callings required it. I retain that gift to this day and I retained it though inactivity and loss of faith. I have never felt it diminish. In fact, as I have come into contact with more non-members and more who would challenge my capacity for tolerance and compassion, I have only felt that love expand. I do not love out of hope or faith. I just love because I love. So I challenge the notion that faith, hope, and charity depend upon each other universally.

I enjoy reading your thoughts, LJ, and I agree in the main.

(A habit of hope perhaps?)

I can think of worse habits...

I do not love out of hope or faith. I just love because I love.

I love because He first loved me. I learned everything I know of love from God. Being immersed in the ocean of God's endless and overwhelming love was almost the greatest experience of my life. Why "almost"? I have two or three experiences that compete for that honor... can not quite make up my mind which is the 'greatest'.

HiJolly

[lindsayjane]

I love because He first loved me. I learned everything I know of love from God.

Sounds like you have had wonderful experiences. I have had a few, as well, but unfortunately I have let them grow fuzzy through inactivity. What I do acknowledge, however, is the source of my charity, and that is God. You say you love because He first loved you, and I think it is the same with me. I have felt God's love for me as well as His love for others. I have had many experiences when I was interacting with someone and felt an overwhelming rush of love and compassion for them. I have been experiencing this since I was young, and I am pretty sure it is an external injection of the God's love for that person into my being. I wish my faith has been as solid as my charity has been. At least, my faith in the church, anyway.