Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2020 LDS conference talk did for me what Elder Holland’s addresses always do for me: it gave me both a desire and a tool.
As he spoke of the hope of God’s children in the prophet Joseph’s time, and what their hopes might have been in relation to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he mentioned understanding of gospel principles lost to the centuries, of recognition of the nature of the Father, of eternity and eternal promise and eternal connection. The Restoration brought about the answer to so many of these hopes.
And what, Elder Holland asked, about our hopes moving forward? In a tumultuous time like the present, we often lose sight of our hopes as we sink deep into the devastation of despair. He spoke of the global COVID-19 pandemic and his view of what happens next:
“When we have conquered this—and we will—may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger, freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty. May we hope for schools where students are taught—not terrified they will be shot—and for the gift of personal dignity for every child of God, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice. Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping His counsel and to love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness. These two divine directives are still—and forever will be—the only real hope we have for giving our children a better world than the one they now know. “
My heart pounded as I listened to his social justice message. Yes! I thought (and possibly cheered aloud). That’s what I want, too. That’s the world I hope for.
And my hope is aided by his reminder that we each hold a solid, familiar instrument in bringing these changes about: “relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments.” He’s not asking us to hope the world changes. He’s asking us to change the world by loving God and loving each other.
What does that look like? How do I do it?
Maybe it’s different for you and for me. Our circles are far more separate than usual right now. But I am seeking daily for that relentless hope (by casting aside my fear, my discomfort, my insecurity) and rediscovering ways to love God by speaking with Him, honoring Him, recognizing His hand, “keeping His counsel” and pleading with him to help me. Elder Holland handed me a checklist for the second commandment: “love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness.”
How can I show more kindness? How can I be more sincere in my compassion? In which of the many ways needed can I grow my patience and forgiveness today?
I love this hymn by Philip Paul Bliss.
More
holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.
More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.
More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.
If that isn’t a hymn of relentless hope, I don’t know what is! That belief that Heavenly Father and the Savior can take someone like me and turn my heart to Them and to their beloved children? That’s a hope I never want to let go.