Evil is
in the world, designed by the devil to destroy humanity. Evil creates unnecessary fear to lurk in our
hearts. Fear is the devil’s first and
chief weapon to destroy you and me. Fear
of persecution and cares of the world caused James Covill to reject the gospel
and the word of God (D&C 40:2). How
can we remain hopeful of better things to come so that we can remain faithful
to the gospel of Jesus Christ and God the Father?
What does it mean to be hopeful
and faithful? “To have faith is to have
confidence in something or someone” (BD, 669).
Hope cometh of faith and is an “abiding trust”, or assurance, “that the
Lord will fulfill His promises to you” (PMG, 117). Hope is believing and expecting that
something will occur. When we have
faith, we are acting and showing that we trust the Lord’s promises to us of
receiving blessings if we keep His commandments. Fear cannot dwell where there is faith.
The Lord has promised us a bounty of blessings if we remain faithful and keep His commandments. He has promised us power to become His sons, power to have great faith and go before the world to proclaim His gospel, joy, riches of eternity (D&C 38:39), mercy, eternal salvation, and so much more. He loves us and wants to bless us. Even though we are surrounded by darkness and trials, “try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, ‘I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?’ Then partner with Him to endure well to the end” (Jorg Klebingat, Oct. 2014). As we team up with our Heavenly Father, no amount of darkness or evil can overcome us.
Have hope of Eternal Life, for deliverance from our enemies, and for deliverance from darkness and evil. Always remember that Jesus Christ is “the light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;” (D&C 39:2). When we have Christ with us, we will always have light to cut through the darkness of evil. Look forward to the future with hope and faith in Christ that He will fulfill his promises to you as you keep His commandments and endure to the end. “But the day soon cometh that…the veil of darkness shall be rent…Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome” (D&C 38:8-9).
The Lord has promised us a bounty of blessings if we remain faithful and keep His commandments. He has promised us power to become His sons, power to have great faith and go before the world to proclaim His gospel, joy, riches of eternity (D&C 38:39), mercy, eternal salvation, and so much more. He loves us and wants to bless us. Even though we are surrounded by darkness and trials, “try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, ‘I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?’ Then partner with Him to endure well to the end” (Jorg Klebingat, Oct. 2014). As we team up with our Heavenly Father, no amount of darkness or evil can overcome us.
Have hope of Eternal Life, for deliverance from our enemies, and for deliverance from darkness and evil. Always remember that Jesus Christ is “the light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;” (D&C 39:2). When we have Christ with us, we will always have light to cut through the darkness of evil. Look forward to the future with hope and faith in Christ that He will fulfill his promises to you as you keep His commandments and endure to the end. “But the day soon cometh that…the veil of darkness shall be rent…Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome” (D&C 38:8-9).
