I don\u2019t know about you, but listening to Conference addresses is a wonderful experience and blessing in my life.\u00a0 The words from our prophets are truly inspiring, thought provoking, and life changing, but only if we let them be.\u00a0 I can\u2019t ever pick a favorite talk.\u00a0 When I get my Ensign, I read each of the talks and underline what is most meaningful to me.\u00a0 Writing some of these talks on my blog allows me to take an even deeper study, which fills me with great love and appreciation for the Plan of the Father.
\nIn The Infinite Power of Hope, Pres. Uchtdorf tells us that hope is a gift of the Spirit.\u00a0 We all understand that that means we all have the ability to gain it, to feel its power and blessing in our lives.\u00a0 And boy, do we need it in this day!\u00a0 And also, because of this gift, we have no excuses.\u00a0 We all have the power to endure to the end; all because of hope.
\nPres. Uchtdorf explains how hope \u201cleads us to peace, mercy, rejoicing, and gladness.\u00a0 The hope of salvation is like a protective helmet; it is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls.\u201d\u00a0 He explains it through a series of scriptures in this paragraph.\u00a0 As I looked up each of these scriptures, I was filled with hope, and with the Spirit.\u00a0 Look in the footnotes for the following scriptures (#7-13):
\nRomans 15:13\u00a0 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and (a)peace in believing, that ye may abound in (b)hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.\u00a0 (Pres. Uchtdorf: \u201cHope\u2026is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances.\u00a0 It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.\u201d)
\nPsalms 33:22\u00a0 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we (a)hope in thee.\u00a0 (Pres. Uchtdorf: \u201c\u2026hope\u2026transcends the trivial and centers on the Hope of Israel, the great hope of mankind, even our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.\u201d)
\nRomans 12:12\u00a0 Rejoicing in hope; (a)patient in (b)tribulation; (c)continuing instant in prayer;\u00a0 ( Pres. Uchtdorf: \u201cHope is\u2026the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us.\u00a0 It is confidence that if we live according to God\u2019s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future.\u00a0 It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered.\u00a0 It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.\u201d)
\nProverbs 10:28\u00a0 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.\u00a0 (Pres. Uchtdorf: \u00a0\u201c\u2026without hope we cannot receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God.\u201d )
\n1 Thess 5:8\u00a0 But let us, who are of the day, be (a)sober, putting on the (b)breastplate of (c)faith and love; and for an helmet, the (d)hope of salvation.\u00a0 \u00a0(Pres. Uchtdorf:\u00a0 \u201cAnd what kind of existence can we hope for?\u00a0 Those who come unto Christ, repent of their sins, and live in faith will reside forever in peace.\u00a0 Think of the worth of this eternal gift.\u201d)
\nMoroni 7:40\u00a0 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning (a)hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?\u00a0 (Pres. Uchtdorf: \u201cThe brighter our hope, the greater our faith.\u00a0 The stronger our hope, the purer our charity.\u201d)
\nEther 12:4\u00a0 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with asurety (b)hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which (c)hope cometh of (d)faith, maketh an (e)anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in (f)good works, being led to (g)glorify God.\u00a0 (Pres. Uchtdorf: \u201cWe hope in Jesus the Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered\u2026that God will keep His promises to us\u2026things will \u2018work together for our good\u2019.\u201d)
\nPres. Uchtdorf concludes with this powerful message:
\n\u201cGod will wait with \u2018open arms to receive\u2019 those who give away their sins and continue in faith, hope, and charity.\u00a0
\nAnd to all who suffer\u2014to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely\u2014I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in.\u00a0
\nNever surrender.\u00a0
\nNever allow despair to overcome your spirit.\u00a0
\nEmbrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I don\u2019t know about you, but listening to Conference addresses is a wonderful experience and blessing in my life.\u00a0 The words from our prophets are truly inspiring, thought provoking, and life changing, but only if we let them be.\u00a0 I can\u2019t ever pick a favorite talk.\u00a0 When I get my Ensign, I read each of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[38],"class_list":["post-161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","tag-pres-dieter-uchtdorf"],"yoast_head":"\n