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

“The impact of distinguishing between the outward characteristics of an individual and the individual himself is central to the novel Les Misérables, by the French author Victor Hugo. As the novel opens, the narrator introduces Bienvenu Myriel, the bishop of Digne, and discusses a dilemma facing the bishop. Should he visit a man who is an avowed atheist and is despised in the community because of his past behavior in the French Revolution? 

The narrator states that the bishop could naturally feel a deep aversion for the man. Then the narrator poses a simple question: “All the same, should the scabs of the sheep cause the shepherd to recoil?” Answering for the bishop, the narrator provides a definitive answer, “No”—and then adds a humorous comment: “But what a sheep!”

In this passage, Hugo compares the man’s “wickedness” with skin disease in sheep and compares the bishop with a shepherd who does not withdraw when faced with a sheep that is sick. The bishop is sympathetic and later in the novel demonstrates a similar compassion for another man, the main protagonist in the novel, a degraded ex-convict, Jean Valjean. The bishop’s mercy and empathy motivate Jean Valjean to change the course of his life.

Since God uses disease as a metaphor for sin throughout the scriptures, it is reasonable to ask, “How does Jesus Christ react when faced with our metaphorical diseases—our sins?” After all, the Savior said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance”; so how can He look at us, imperfect as we are, without recoiling in horror and disgust?

The answer is simple and clear. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion. This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing….

The Savior’s mortal ministry was indeed characterized by love, compassion, and empathy. He did not disdainfully walk the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, flinching at the sight of sinners. He did not dodge them in abject horror. No, He ate with them. He helped and blessed, lifted and edified, and replaced fear and despair with hope and joy. Like the true shepherd He is, He seeks us and finds us to offer relief and hope. Understanding His compassion and love helps us exercise faith in Him—to repent and be healed.”

- Dale G. Renlund, Our Good Shepherd, April 2017

Valjean & the Bishop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhpwV4cwB4o

17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good.

- Alma 32:17-36

The Leap of Faith 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-JIfjNnnMA

He couldn’t see it, but the bridge was there all along.

Elisha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8LN1py7XxQ

“Elisha, with a power known only to the prophets, had counseled the king of Israel on how and where and when to defend against the warring Syrians. The king of Syria, of course, wished to rid his armies of this prophetic problem. So—and I quote:

Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.. . . an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. [2 Kings 6:14–15]

If Elisha is looking for a good time to be depressed, this is it. His only ally is the president of the local teachers quorum. It is one prophet and one lad against the world. And the boy is petrified. He sees the enemy everywhere—difficulty and despair and problems and burdens everywhere…With faltering faith the boy cries, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?”

And Elisha’s reply? “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:15–16).

“They that be with us?” Now just an Israelite minute here. Faith is fine and courage wonderful, but this is ridiculous, the boy thinks. There are no others with them. He can recognize a Syrian army when he sees one, and he knows that one child and an old man are not strong odds against it.

But then comes Elisha’s promise:

Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. [2 Kings 6:16–17]

In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.

I close with this promise from heaven.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. [D&C 78:17–18]

I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, . . . and mine angels [shall be] round about you, to bear you up. [D&C 84:88]

The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.” [D&C 78:18]

-         Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble, 1980

Darkness Must Pass

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6C8SX0mWP0

Then out spake brave Horatius,

The Captain of the Gate:

To every man upon this earth

Death cometh soon or late.

And how can man die better

Than facing fearful odds,

For the ashes of his fathers,

And the temples of his gods.

- Thomas Babington Macaulay,

Lays of Ancient Rome

There is a purpose. You can and must go on. The end result will always be worth the fight.

“…Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.”

- Moroni 7: 35-37

The Parting of the Red Sea

www.youtube.com/watch?v=avShZS2GJMc

We may not see miracles on this scale performed on a regular basis in our day, but I have repeatedly witnessed things that were not physically or logically possible to our mortal understanding. God is in charge. He is at the wheel. The winds and the sea obey him. Through his power and our faith nothing is impossible.

In the 1994 Miracle on 34th Street, Dory Walker doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, nor does she want her daughter to believe in Santa Claus. In a conversation with Kris Kringle, he helps her to understand that Santa Claus is more than he appears. He says:

“I’m not just some whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. I’m a symbol; I’m a symbol of mankind’s ability to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule that major part of our lives. If you can’t believe in me, if you can’t accept anything on faith, then you’re doomed to a life dominated by doubt.”

In our fallen world, it’s very easy to let faith be smothered by the overwhelming influence of doubt and negativity. With so many contrasting messages plastered everywhere, bombarding us from every side, are we listening to the right voices, the ones that promote faith? Are we giving the Holy Ghost a chance to get a word in edgewise? Or do we doubt the Lord’s power, his love, or his plan for us?

We must remember that the Lord’s slogan, as he repeats it time and time again, are the words, “Doubt not, fear not.” With the Spirit of the Lord on our side, it is possible to suppress the doubts and fan the flame of faith in his plan and ourselves. It is possible to find faith, even in such a confusing world, if we are deliberately and consistently seeking it out.

When You Believe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NieC8KA0EvI

From Now On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIDxpUJ10Q

“Thomas Edison devoted ten years and all of his money to developing the nickel-alkaline storage battery at a time when he was almost penniless. Through that period of time, his record and film production was supporting the storage battery effort. Then one night the terrifying cry of fire echoed through the film plant. Spontaneous combustion had ignited some chemicals. Within moments all … had gone up with a roar. Fire companies from eight towns arrived, but the fire and heat were so intense and the water pressure so low that the fire hoses had no effect. Edison was sixty-seven years old—no age to begin anew. His son Charles was frantic, wondering if he were safe, if his spirits were broken, and how he would handle a crisis such as this at his age. Charles saw his father running toward him. He spoke first.

He said, “Where’s your mother? Go get her. Tell her to get her friends. They’ll never see another fire like this as long as they live!”

At 5:30 the next morning, with the fire barely under control, he called his employees together and announced, “We’re rebuilding.” One man was told to lease all the machine shops in the area, another to obtain a wrecking crane from the Erie Railroad Company. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, “Oh, by the way. Anybody know where we can get some money?” (Paraphrased from Charles Edison, “My Most Unforgettable Character,” Reader’s Digest, December 1961, pp. 175–77.)

Virtually everything you now recognize as a Thomas Edison contribution to your life came after that disaster. Remember, “Trouble has no necessary connection with discouragement— discouragement has a germ of its own.”

If you are trying hard and living right and things still seem burdensome and difficult, take heart. Others have walked that way before you.”

-         Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble, 1980

I’ve done a lot of things that make me cringe - some when I was conscious and very responsible, sometimes when I wasn’t. I’ve had a lot of unexpected, entirely unjust things come crashing down on me. But as Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said, “It’s your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Our choices and our attitude truly are what make all the difference.

“Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

- Thomas S. Monson

Eowyn vs the Witch King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_-rmuPZC4

I don’t think anyone expected a woman and a hobbit to take down the Witch King. It was said that “no living man could kill him” and no one chose to think outside the box, but labeled it as an impossible task. Neither Eowyn’s or Merry’s presence on the battlefield were an accident, but a fulfillment of prophecy.

We read in the Old Testament that Esther boldly went before the king to save the lives of her people. But she was not in the right place at the right time by coincidence. She was chosen and equipped with all of the tools she needed in order to accomplish this dangerous task - including courage, selflessness, outward beauty, and faith; everything that would place her in the right position at the right time to do it.

But we may think, "Yeah, well. My personal destiny looks pretty laughable compared to that." But is it any less important than Esther's? YOU TOO were specifically chosen "for such a time as this." When the task at hand looks impossible, sometimes your brand of unique is exactly what’s needed to make it possible.

As God is My Witness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu0MGDxqzSM

One of the greatest literary masterpieces of the 20th century takes place during the American Civil War, and centers around a green-eyed piece of work named Scarlett O'Hara. If Scarlett has one desire above all others, it is to become like her mother, a true southern belle known throughout the community to be a great lady. Unfortunately, Scarlett has a few personal quirks that make her despised by most people she meets, such as selfishness, behaving in a distinctly unladylike fashion for her time, and using any means to achieve her ends. Despite these seemingly negative traits, throughout the course of her story Scarlett learns the meaning of extreme sacrifice, courage in the face of adversity, perseverance, determination, and doing what must be done in order to survive. Though very few understand her motives, and though we may not agree with her choices, we cannot ignore her grit, nor the fact that it and it alone ensured her survival. Though the refined and delicate character of her mother was all that Scarlett ever wanted to be, we all know that Mrs. O'Hara could not have survived the same challenges that Scarlett faced - and she didn't - and that Scarlett, though unconventional, is ultimately the stronger of the two.

Though my own trials have been unconventional and hard to put to words, I know for myself that had I not experienced these things, I would not be who I am today. Had I not trudged through months and years of never-ending frustrations, I would not have learned the meaning of the words "empathy", "understanding", "compassion", and "Christ-like love". I would not have come to look in the mirror and see a survivor. Did it hurt? Excruciatingly. Was it all worth it? Yes. Because I know for myself - I am one tough cookie. I am not a push over. I do not give up.

"Though she be but little, she is fierce."

- Helena, A Midsummer Night's Dream

All of us are children of the most High God, who loves us enough to let us experience adversity.