Elder Jeffrey R. Hollands Call for Hope

"We still have hopes that have not yet been fulfilled..." - Jeffrey R. Holland

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland chose the topic of hope for his speaking assignment. Amidst so much fear due to COVID-19 and other world disasters, his focus on our desire and need to keep our hope, is one that many needed to hear during these times. 

Elder Holland's talk of hope was both comforting and filled with direction for the world. Talking about how the virus of COVID-19 has currently brought the world together, he asked that once we beat this virus, that we cure the other viruses that plague this world. Virus's such as: hunger, poverty, violence, and discrimination.

"Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope, for a greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping his council, and to love our neighbors by showing kindness, 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."

Not only did Elder Holland talk about the hope that we have a whole community, nation, and global body, but also the personal hopes that each individual may hold on to. The hopes of:

• for a marriage to improve
• for a marriage
• for an addiction to be conquered
• for a wayward child to come back
• for physical, mental, and emotional pain to cease

"Because the Restoration reaffirmed the foundational truth that God does work in this world, we can hope. We should hope. Even when facing the most insurmountable odds."

Elder Holland connected the hopes that we have on a daily basis, to the hope that Joseph Smith had, in desiring which Church to join which was true. 

"If so many of our 18-20 hopes, could begin to be fulfilled with a divine flash of light to a mere boy kneeling in a patch of trees in upstate New York, why should we not hope that righteous desires and Christ like yearnings could still be marvelously and miraculously answered by the God of hope. We all need to believe, that what we desire in righteousness can someday, someway, somehow, yet be ours."

Elder Holland's talk of hope will have hopefully hit the hearts of many. In a world where hope seems so fickle, it is important to know that the hopes of a 14 year old boy were answered, and if that same Heavenly Father is watching over us, than our hopes will be answered. 

Do you know anyone who could use some more hope in their life? Reach out t them, call them, let them know that they are loved. Remind them that they have a loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of their hopes.

What has been your favorite talk so far this General Conference?