{Hope is Never Lost}

I emailed a friend who was having a hard time today and it got me thinking a lot about adversity and the things I learned about it on my mission. There are occasions when we feel like we can't keep going but I know those times the very thing our Savior suffered for. During those times He will succor us. President Packer said in his last conference talk, "He said he would atone and that settled that." We need never walk alone. The Savior Himself gave His apostles this reassurance at the last supper "I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you." (John 14:18) Sometimes the mission or life is like you're weaving a quilt. At times the thread colors might not seem like they belong (or maybe even they seem ugly) but when you get a different perspective and look back on it the contrast and blend is what makes it beautiful. I have had times filled with joy and miracles and other times that took me to my knees with a greater sense of urgency and need then I'd ever felt before. I didn't necessarily enjoy those times but now I look back at the tapestry of my mission: the variety of trials and triumphs and it's beautiful. It's very precious to me because of the miracles and the struggles.  Like a stunning rose with sharp thorns or a steep hike with a breathtaking view. The contrast though, opposition in all things, is what makes it beautiful. We must know the bitter to know the sweet. But we can be assured that HOPE IS NEVER LOST because of Jesus Christ, who conquered death, pain, sin, and sorrow. Our Heavenly Father's infinite love will sustain us and carry us through the darkest or happiest of times if we will allow it. 
Lehi taught his sons, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.....Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation." (2 Nephi 2:12)
Our Father in Heaven is perfectly just, perfectly merciful, perfectly loving. His plan is to help us grow to become like Him. We can only do so by facing challenges and overcoming them with the help of the Savior. 

"Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees;"-Malloch

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{Explanation}

I had the feeling when I was in Midland Texas in the last few months of my mission as I formulated a plan that I needed to keep a blog about some of my spiritual experiences. I got home and things got busy, so I set the idea aside, but it's come back again and this time I'll listen. I don't know what it's purpose will be but "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." (Alma 37:6) Nephi didn't know the reason he was commanded to make a second set of plates, but out of his act of faith and obedience the Lord has influenced millions of lives. Because of his faithfulness, others contributed needed revelations and the Book of Mormon was preserved for out day. I don't know what good this will do, if it will simply just be a help to myself, but He will make something beautiful come of it.

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