Christlike Attribute #2: Hope
Purpose: To
demonstrate the importance of living life with the optimism of hope.
Scripture: “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, which
would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led
to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).
Hymns: “The
Light Divine” (Hymns no. 305), “Hope
of Israel” (Hymns no. 259).
PMG Quote: “Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will
fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism,
enthusiasm, and patient perseverance” (p. 117).
Key Term: Hope
– “The confident expectation of and
longing for the promised blessings of righteousness. The scriptures often speak
of hope as anticipation of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.”[1]
Lesson: In 1859, the British ship Alacrity
encountered dense fog while transporting Latter-day Saint pioneers between
South Africa and Boston. Visibility was extremely low, and the Saints, fearing
for their lives, prayed and fasted for divine assistance. Because he was unable
to navigate the ship by the stars, the captain climbed to the top of the mast
to search for an opening in the fog. Suddenly the mist cleared long enough for
him to see sandbars off of Nantucket, straight ahead. He had just enough time
to change the ship’s course and avoid disaster.
The miracle experienced by the
Saints on the Alacrity is one of many inspiring stories of those who crossed
oceans and plains in their hope to reach Zion. Despite tremendous afflictions,
including sickness, malnutrition, exposure, and exhaustion, most pioneers
remained optimistic and determined. This
type of attitude is what Nephi described as “having a perfect brightness of
hope.”
Hope,
a trait deeply entwined with faith and charity, is what helps us to look past
our daily difficulties toward a happier future. Hope increases with the
nearness of the spirit and is important because it helps us trust in the Lord
while enduring to the end. Those without hope struggle through trials and often
give up. President Ezra Taft Benson taught that hope is an anchor to the souls
of men. Those with deep and abiding hope will see “divine pattern and purpose”[2] no
matter what trials or blessings life may bring.
Exercises: Prayerfully
select one or more of the following exercises to supplement the lesson.
Ñ Teach: Explain the principle of hope and why it is
important.
˜ Testify: Describe a personal experience or feelings
you have about having hope in Christ.
? Invite: Practice inviting
those you teach to make commitments related to having hope (i.e., repenting).
® Role Play: Use the following question to role play a
gospel discussion with a friend or family member. “Why is it important to have hope?”
— Open Your Mouth: In the upcoming week, start a gospel
conversation with someone by asking them, “How
do you maintain hope with all the bad things happening in the world?” Probe
to learn what specific behaviors they feel are necessary to build hope in
Christ.
Activity:
Place several household objects (e.g. key, pencil, small
toy, etc.) inside separate socks. Tie a knot in the top of each sock or secure
with a twist tie. Give each family member a pen and paper. Pass the socks around,
allowing each person to feel the contents. The player writes his/her guess of
what is in each sock. Show the contents of the socks after everyone has written
down their guesses. Remind family members the scriptures tell us to have “hope
for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:32).[3]
Additional Resources: 1. There are numerous conference talks on hope, including “The Infinite Power of Hope” by Dieter F. Uchtdorf (October 2008), “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled” by M. Russell Ballard (October 1992), and “Brightness of Hope” by Neal A. Maxwell (October 1994). 2. A poem, “Hope”, was published in the September 2010 Friend magazine. 3. “Good Things to Come” is a Mormon Channel video based on a personal story about hope told by Jeffrey R. Holland.
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