Brightness of Hope

Does gratitude spare us from sorrow, sadness, grief and pain? No, but it does soothe our feelings. It provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life. By: Mary Ellen Edmunds Date: June 2023 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

Trials come in three forms: trials we bring upon ourselves, trials that are part of our mortal existence, and trials through which God is shaping and directing our lives. Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after the trials have passed. By: Hank Smith ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Deseret Book

Fear stalls you, with Screwtape nudging you from eternity. At Utah State in ’73, a short cheerleader, I was prodded to an Alaskan mission, facing anti-Mormon fire and finding truth. Life flipped - lost elections, a 28-credit, gas-leaky newlywed dash into teaching - showing God’s plan beats fear. By: Curtis Jacobs Date: October 11, 2020 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Logan Institut...

A plan in which supposedly everything would go right so nobody would be lost was  already proposed and rejected. The plan of salvation, on the other hand, allows for opposition in all things: sadness and sweetness, wrongdoing  and repentance, trial and testimony. By: Dallan R. Moody Date: March 6, 2012 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

At some time in our lives, many of us wonder if we are really good at anything, but recognize the wonder and power in each of us! While we may see our weakness and failings, God always sees our potential. God puts things in our lives that help prepare us for future challenges. By: S. Michael Wilcox ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Deseret Book

Whatever shame Satan is putting in your heart, remember that Jesus has conquered it... So go to the temple - or if you have the gift of the holy garment, put it on - and let Satan know your heart is taken. By: Shima Baughman Date: October 1, 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity. Can we say, like those ordained of old, that we speak as if with the tongue of angels? By: Jeffery R. Holland Date: April 1, 2007 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Intellectual Reserve

I'll never do it again, we say - and then we do it. Most of us realize that perfection is a long-term process, but when we make some of the same mistakes over and over again, it's easy to lose hope. The Lord's Atonement will be available as long as the perfecting process takes if we keep trying. By: Brad Wilcox ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Deseret Book

As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. By: David A. Bednar Date: October 23, 2001 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

The words of covenant mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, leaders, teachers, and friends have unusual power to mold lives, touch hearts, and build faith. We have the ability to lift, strengthen, fortify, encourage, and testify in a way that changes lives. By: Sheri Dew Date: May 25, 2023 ⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

God doesn’t need logic. What He needs are sons and daughters who have the faith to act on His promptings. Stop doubting yourself and your faith - act on what you have received! By: Loren Dalton Date: July 13, 2019 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠the original content. © Ensign College

We can notice how false these comparisons most often are…That is worth noting, worth confronting, and worth ­constantly reminding ourselves. By: J.B. Haws Date: May 7, 2019 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

There is importance to "breaking up" with the things of the world that keep us from getting closer to the Savior. For some people these things may be TV shows or other media that offends the Spirit. For others it may be an unhealthy relationship or obsessive comparisons and competitions. We need to all "lay aside the things of this world, and seek for those of a better." By: Hank Smith ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

When we are faced with temptation, it would be wise to follow the Savior’s example by dismissing Satan without any further argument or discussion - immediately and swiftly. By: Lynn G. Robbins Date: September 17, 2013 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

Everything that is good is inspired of God, so you focus on being good - and quit worrying about it. By: David A. Bednar Date: 2009 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Missionary Training Center

In a cramped New York apartment, a young woman named Al sets out on a mission to prove the missionaries wrong, determined to show that faith is just a mental comfort. Rejected by friends, abandoned by family, and attacked for her newfound faith, Al finds strength in a single book - the Book of Mormon - and the promise that the unexpected bring good things. By: Al Fox Carraway Date: February 13, 20...

Holiness is a daily practice - one that requires persistence, humility, and a desire to align oneself with God's will. Holiness is not situational but a way of life, accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstances. By practicing virtue and continually striving for spiritual harmony, we can attain the happiness and fulfillment that God promises. By: Don Staheli Date: January 24, 2017 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View...

While a strong spiritual foundation is important, simply accepting everything at face value can limit growth. True faith can coexist with unanswered questions, and critical thinking can even strengthen our faith. By: Bruce C. Hafen Date: January 24, 2017 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University - Hawaii

The Young Women values and the principles of the Scout Oath are good foundations for personal values in keeping with the Lords expectations. High standards and values carry people far in a righteous and rewarding life. By: John Bytheway ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Deseret Book

The world is constantly telling us to live on the edge or to live dangerously. We are bombarded with images of excitement and freedom. But the same advertisements that try to lure us to the wild side of life never show the consequences of those decisions. By: Dennis Gaunt ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Deseret Book

You simply must understand this, because you were born to lead by virtue of who you are, the covenants you have made, and the fact that you are here now in the 11th hour. By: Sheri Dew Date: December 9, 2003 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University

May the contemplation of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem inspire us to be more like Him. May Christ’s mission and example cause our hearts to swell with divine love for God and deep compassion for our fellowmen. And may we ever scatter out our crumbs with greater generosity and unceasing love. By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf Date: December 3, 2017 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original...

We can in mortality seek to be blessed with and develop essential elements of a Christlike character. Indeed, it is possible for us as mortals to strive in righteousness to receive the spiritual gifts associated with the capacity to reach outward and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us....

People can be a lot like chickens — especially in junior high and high school. In order to make themselves more “popular,” teens often break into little groups and pick on someone who doesn’t quite fit in. Life can be changed by the example of someone who didn’t follow the flock, but instead reached out to others to help them feel loved. By: Hank Smith ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original...

Don’t lose your confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had. That tenacity is what saved Moses when the adversary confronted him, and it is what will save you. By: Jeffery R. Holland Date: March 2, 1999 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the original content. © Brigham Young University