Here is hope

As I enter Holy Week, I am mindful of wars, unrest, and suffering on global and personal scales. Many are scared and uncertain. Peter mirrors Christ’s invitation to “be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to everyone that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:14-25). Despite life’s challenges and difficulties, and there are many, I feel hope, comfort and peace.

Here are some of my answers to why and how I have hope. Along with an invitation to seek peace.

I love the depiction of the New Testament in the tv series “The Chosen.” The rich visuals and expanded story line allow for more character development and exploration of cultural contexts. Watching has made the scriptures come alive and I have greater desire to return to the text and experience the Word in new ways. Turning to the scriptures builds hope.

“The Chosen” creator and director, Dallas Jenkins, explores the idea that Christ’s disciples may not have understood at the time of his death that the resurrection would follow. They expected him as the Messiah to deliver the Jews from Roman oppression. But he gave his life and died for the redemption of all. This is what we celebrate at Easter, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15: 13-14).

Last Sunday I sang in a performance of Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God, a choral oratorio depicting scenes from Holy Week, the crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Christ’s death, his mother, Mary, sings, “Hope did not die here, but here was given. And ours is the victory. Here is hope.” As I sang and listened, I experienced hope. My worries felt smaller, my burdens lighter in community and celebration.

This coming weekend on April 4-5, the prophet, apostles, and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from many nations will provide messages of peace and hope as they gather for a worldwide conference and musical broadcast. Twice a year I am moved and buoyed up by timely and inspired messages. You can access conference addresses live this Saturday and Sunday, as well as past conferences online at www.churchofjesuschrist.org. I include two excerpts from addresses as examples of messages of hope.

In April 2024, Elder Patrick Kearon strengthened my hope as he illustrated how completely God wants us to keep choosing Him. He explained, “My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father’s beautiful plan, even His ‘fabulous’ plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. No one has built a roadblock and stationed someone there to turn you around and send you away. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God is in relentless pursuit of you. He ‘wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,’ and He employs every possible measure to bring you back.”

In 2018, President Russell M Nelson clarified the importance of seeking personal revelation to navigate hard times. “I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.

“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

The Holy Ghost testifies of truth. Its influence strengthens hope and feeds a desire to do and be good. Faith in Jesus Christ is the source of hope. If you long to feel more of this positive influence in your life, I invite you to watch “The Chosen;” listen to Lamb of God; watch, listen to or read messages from General Conference this weekend (or any time you make to access current or past messages). Find hope.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Amity Scoville has lived in Palmer for 23 years and works as an integrated behavioral health therapist. She enjoys teaching Tai Chi and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.