The glorious doctrine of hope

I have been impressed in my studies of the scriptures by the doctrine of hope.  It seems to me to be one of those ideas or concepts that we often assume we understand, but that has great depth once we begin to ponder and explore.

"Hope" is an unimpressive little word.  It's interesting that we find it in many scriptural passages in the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants wedged between the great and powerful concepts of "faith" and "charity." We are often reminded that faith is one of the foundational principles of the Gospel; and that charity, the "pure love of Christ," is "the greatest of all."   But hope often lies unnoticed between those two other brilliant bookends of Gospel principles.

Reflections on a Release

I was called in June 2004 as first counselor in our stake's presidency.  During the years that followed, I spent a LOT of time in this building — in presidency meetings, temple recommend interviews, issuing callings, attending training meetings, giving talks, etc.  Sometimes it felt like I spent more of my waking hours here, than at home.  I would regularly devote 30 hours a week or more to this assignment, including time I spent at home preparing materials or fulfilling assignments.

After more than 9 years of serving, and much joy and growth along the way, a letter from the First Presidency was sent to the stake president in July that included these words:  "It is with sincere appreciation for your watchful guidance of stake affairs and your deep concern for the welfare of the people that we now extend to you and your counselors honorable releases from your positions in the stake presidency. This will take effect at a conference to be held on September 21-22, 2013....  We would like you and your counselors to accept our heartfelt gratitude for your loyal, consecrated service to the Lord, His cause, and the people over whom you have had the honor to preside. We also acknowledge the valued support and service given by your wife and the wives of your counselors."

The Shoulders of Giants: Blessed by noble examples

After I was sustained to serve as a counselor in the stake presidency in June 2004, I was invited to offer brief remarks.  On that occasion I recalled the words of the 18th-century English scientist Isaac Newton, describing his discoveries and achievements, and paying tribute to his predecessors: "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."  I paraphrased that thought to say in anticipation, "If we achieve anything our presidency it will be because we stand on the shoulders of giants."  I was referring on that occasion to the wonderful brethren who had preceded us in the callings, whom I admired greatly – Dan Judd, David Glazier, and Ray Smith.

Over the course of the 9 1/2 years that followed, I realized there was quite a different, and perhaps more accurate, adaptation of Newton's thought. While I still have the greatest admiration for those who serve in callings of leadership, I now perceive that anyone who serves in a calling such as this in the Church really stands on the shoulders of the hundreds and hundreds of faithful, dedicated members in his stewardship.  They are the real giants, the ones who courageously carry the Lord's work forward in wonderful ways.  And this is particularly true of the stake I was privileged to serve in – Orem Utah Canyon View.

On Progress and Consistency

We're not big fans of blinking Christmas lights at our house.  I think I grew up with "blinkers" of various types — large and small, colored and clear.  But perhaps because of my wife's southern heritage and east-coast upbringing, we ended up with more simple and traditional decorations.  We use only steady white lights on our simple tree, and I like it that way.

I suppose the blinking of Christmas lights is intended to simulate the flickering of a candle (used as decorations when my mother was a child in Germany), or maybe the twinkling of stars.  Maybe it's just a gimmick to attract more attention.  But this year, another analogy came to my mind.