Find the way through Christ

How do you find hope?

Hope is so essential to our spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

My favorite scripture is Ether 12:4, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men..."

When we have a hope in Christ we have a hope that through Him the world will improve, that our situation will improve, and that we will be able to improve ourselves. To have hope in Christ is to have hope in the future.

I wonder if when the Savior was crucified if the apostles thought "well it is all down hill from here. At least we have some good memories to re-live" This is the mindset I often have when hard times come or when big changes happen. I can't imagine that anything in the future could be as good as the past.

BUT, the Apostles witnessed the ressurected Christ, they learned new gospel treasures, and continued to serve God and His children in meaningful ways. Just like them our future is always moving upward and forward we just have to trust that God is leading us to where we need to be! So look to the Savior and face the future with HOPE!!

ART: Yongsung Kim

"God the Son traded his heavenly home with all its celestial adornments for a mortal abode with all its primitive trappings. He, ‘the King of heaven, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, left a throne to inherit a manger. He exchanged the dominion of a god for the dependence of a babe. He gave up wealth, power, dominion, and the fullness of his glory—for what?—for taunting, mocking, humiliation, and subjection. It was a trade of unparalleled dimension, a condescension of incredible proportions, a descent of incalculable depth” (Tad R. Callister)

What incredible love and sacrifice the Savior showed to give everything up to save us! He chose to save you and me. He went below everything so that he could lift us up.

So next time you feel lost and low remember JESUS LOVES YOU!! and He will always be there to help you because that is his eternal nature!

Art: Micheal Malm

I always enjoy a good challenging hike, but often when I am about half way up the mountain I look up and think it is too steep, too long, and I am too tired.

I find the same is true for this trail of life. I often have the same feelings mid trial and desire to turn back. Have you ever felt the same?

HOWEVER, as I focus on the Savior I am always able to push through.

Elder Holland said,
"because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path...
Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

SO, when your mountain gets too big, too far and too lonely remember two things:

1. If mountains were smooth and easy everyone would climb them, and you would never improve.

2. Always remember that you don't climb the mountain alone! Jesus Christ already climbed it and he is by your side walking with you step by step!

Art: Amber Whitworth

Christ is the perfect teacher!

However, sometimes I wonder about my abilities as a student. I find myself wondering if He really can mold me, the loose wet clay, into the master piece He was imagining. BUT, the cool thing is, my abilities (or lack of) don't really matter.

He is the perfect teacher and He knows exactly what I need. He knows what tools to use to form the clay, and when to use the heat to refine the project, and when to add the paint. All I have to do is we willing to trust Him!

Art: J. Kirk Richards

Do you ever stop and think about the time we are given?

Every minute consists of 60 unbiased seconds. Yet in our own perspectives some minutes feel like an eternity, and others feel like a blink of an eye.

Ecclesiastes chapter 3 states
" To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:... A time to WEEP, and a time to LAUGH; a time to MOURN, and a time to DANCE;"

God had given us time to experience all things here on Earth. The good and the bad. The long moments and the short moments. All he asks is that we take the time to put Jesus Christ first. That we take time to focus on Him.

What blessings have seen come from spending time with the Savior?

Art: Dan Wilson

Have you ever wondered how God speaks to you? Or how to know which direction to go?

I sure have! Sometimes it is not knowing if a thought comes from God or from my own head. Sometimes it is the fear that comes after God has pointed me in a certain direction. I love what Paul says here! If the thought comes from a place of POWER, LOVE, or SOUND MIND it comes from God! He does not work in FEAR.

So go forward with whatever thing God is telling you to do. Push the fear aside and focus on the good! GO FOR IT!!