To the Future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOuOfi_CVNE

I think there are times when things have gone wrong for so long that discouragement feels like a cold that won’t go away. We’re stuck in a pit and we can’t get out. We make the same stupid mistakes over and over, no matter how hard we try to change. Things seem to go badly regardless of how hard we’re trying, or maybe even because of how hard we’re trying. Isn’t that how it sometimes feels? So what exactly keeps us going?

Walt Disney expressed the following: 

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

I love that statement. In addition, consider this amendment: 

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because [we have hope] and [hope] keeps leading us down new paths.”

Isn’t that what life is all about? We get up each morning because we’re hoping for something (maybe breakfast). Well, how fortunate are we to have access to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us so much to hope for? Because of God’s plan and our merciful Savior, we have so much to rejoice about and so much to look forward to, not the least of which is this promise:

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

- 2 Nephi 31: 20

If I could go back in time and visit my old self at any age, I would hug her and cry with her AND I would take her face in my hands and tell her that one day her past sorrow would be completely eclipsed by her joy. The future is bright! There is so much more good ahead of us than there is behind. Just keep moving forward!

“But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
- Jeffrey R. Holland

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is like magic; it cleanses, heals, rebuilds, and restores absolutely everything. Just like the Thunderbird’s rain of forgetfulness, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice provides the way for us to be healed so completely that it can be like it never happened.

Thunderbird

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtVvjqkvw7o

Expecto Patronum

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlxxWFENWr8

“If life gets too hard to stand, kneel.”

- Gordon B. Hinckley

Prayer is one of our most powerful weapons against the forces of darkness. I can’t tell you how many times I have been saved by that powerful influence which can literally chase my dementors away. It is a lifeline that has preserved me time and time again.

When you are feeling down, confused, discouraged, incapable, or just plain blocked from the light, you can figuratively raise your wand and say, “Expecto patronum!” You have the power. Bring your happiest thoughts to mind and call upon your Heavenly Father, who is anxious and waiting to hear from you. When you do this, closing in the name of Jesus Christ, no darkness, no dementor, no evil influences can have power over you. All things obey him. 

Just as the children of Israel in Moses’ day painted their doors with lambs’ blood to protect themselves against the destroying angel, AND just as Lily Evans’ blood protected Harry from Quirrell’s touch, you can do the same with the Savior’s name. It is like putting on armor. I know that when you take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, it is a literal shield against the power of the destroyer.

What is Real?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVQpcew5V4

“Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process."

- James E. Faust

We cannot transform if we're liable to break, or if we will not allow ourselves to be molded by the Master's hands. We should not mind becoming old, threadbare and worn, or what other people think of us as we become so; God looks on the heart, after all. He knows our potential even when we don't, and He puts us through trials because of His love and high hopes for us. Just as a silversmith purges hot metal until it becomes clear enough that he can see his own reflection, the Lord puts us through challenges to refine us into a masterpiece, like unto Himself. Through adversity, we too have the capacity to become "Real".

“I am the light and the life of the world.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfDtJajyE64

Jesus Christ knows your name. He already knows what you need, without you needing to tell him. He is our advocate and friend. He loves you beyond measure.

Gloria

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELjgFKACcdQ

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

- 2 Nephi 19:6
He is why we have cause to rejoice.

Mr. Krueger

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK85O6FgRC0

However lowly your station, the Savior of the world was born in the humblest of circumstances and descended below all things to succor his people. He is aware of you and your inner heartache even if nobody else is. He loves you. He is your closest and finest friend, and that means you can hold your head high wherever you go.

“For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”

- 1 Nephi 21: 15-16