A smart young man had just returned from college, and at the table he wished to show his parents what extraordinary advancements he had made. "Why, father," says he, "you can hardly conceive of the advance I have made."
"Well, my son," says the father, "I am sure I am glad to hear you say so, and I trust you will make a great man." There happened to be two ducks on the table for dinner, and this young man proposed to give his father a specimen of his smartness.
"Now," he says, "you see there are only two ducks, don't you?"
"Yes," answered the father.
"Well, I can prove to you that there are three ducks."
"Can you," says the father, "that's quite extraordinary really; how can you do it?"
"Well," says the son, "I will show you. That's one?"
"Yes."
"And that's two?"
"Yes."
"Well, two and one make three, don't they?"
"Quite so," says the father, "it is very extraordinary, and to show how much I appreciate it, I will eat one of these ducks, and your mother will eat the other, and we will leave the third for you."
Some of our "financiers" have made this kind of discovery, but when it comes to the practical thing they, like the boy, have got to fall back on father's duck or mother's duck. This kind of proficiency may be all very well in its place, but then we have no place for it; we want to act honestly and begin right, and then carry it out right. Let the big co-op straighten itself out, and then the little co-ops do the same, and let us stick to one another and all act one with another, and lay aside our scheming; and let us have honest, honorable men, elders of Israel who have at heart the building up of God's kingdom, to do our business, who will act for the welfare of all. That is my doctrine on that point.—JD, 20:164-165, March 2, 1879.
This is just a pretty picture of what the interior of the Dominican Republic looks like--in the month of January.
My great friend, Sue Nelson sent me this copy of notes she took from President Uchdorf's conference talk last October 2008. It is no fun to go from prosperous times to less prosperous times but it can be good for us and we do have:
HOPE …
has the power to fill our lives with happiness
is a gift of the Spirit
is a hope that through the Atonement and the power of His resurrection we shall be raised to life eternal because of our faith in the Savior.
is a principle of promise as well as a commandment.
leads to peace, mercy, rejoicing, and gladness.
is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls.
is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances.
pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.
encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father.
is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us.
is believing and expecting our prayers will be answered.
is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.
is confidence God will keep His promises to us in the present and the future.
In God, in his goodness, and his power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges.
upholds our faith when disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith.
braces our resolve and urges to care for our fellowmen when frustration and impatience challenge charity.
sustains us through despair.
teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us.
leads to good works.
In the depth of winter, we find within us an invincible summer
This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment, and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope.
Things we hope FOR are often future events-
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever
Never tasting death again
Because of His infinite Atonement we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar
Residing forever in peace
Being surrounded by those we love
Knowing the meaning of ultimate joy as we progress in knowledge and in happiness
Having our lives exceed our grandest expectations
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Things we hope IN sustain us in our daily walk through temptation, trial and sorrow-
The principles of the Gospel
Jesus Christ
The goodness of God
Manifestations of the Holy Spirit
Knowledge that prayers are heard and answered
The power of God
Things will “work together for our good” as we follow the counsel of God’s prophets.
Indeed, there are times when the darkness seems unbearable. This hope gives strength to those who feel threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair.
We grow in our ability to “abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” as we more perfectly live the Gospel.
And to all who suffer- to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely- I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in.
Never surrender.
Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.
Embrace 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.
Elder Dieter Uchtdorf, Ensign, Nov, 2008, p. 21-24.
Lots of love from Grandma/Mom/Jeri
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