weathering storms with optimism. . .


“There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: 'The best is yet to be'



("Rabbi Ben Ezra," in Charles W. Eliot, ed., The Harvard Classics, 50 vols. [1909–10], 42:1103).”



L. Tom Perry

“Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). “We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary’s enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).”

Robert D. Hales

Time is running out, come save.
Death is creeping in, come save.
We humble ourselves and seek Your face.
Pour out Your mercy like rain.
Your sons and your daughters cry for You.
The waves of the waters reach for You.
All of creation rises up and screams out Your name.
Oh Lord, come save.
Addicted to our pride, come save.
Consumed in self-delight, come save.
Break us and free us from these chains.
We desperately need Your grace.
Come awaken us from our sleep.
Come bring us to our knees.
Come whisper truth in our ears.
Come save

Is it a coincidence that missionaries give a portion of their lives in behalf of others, then come home and testify of their great love for the people they have served? Is it any wonder that bishops and other priesthood and auxiliary leaders who sacrifice for others are filled with love for those who are recipients of their labors? Is there a greater love among mortals than that of a mother, who offers all for her child? Many who desire to have charity like Jesus attain it as he did.

Elder Max C. Caldwell

'Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do, but because they have the desire to serve, and therefore are being called to the work. The reason why there are so many going is because this next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to earth and wants them to be sent to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than serving a full time mission?'

Ezra Taft Benson

"What you sincerely in your heart think of
Christ will determine what you are and will
largely determine what your acts will be."

-David O. McKay

"I promise you that the time you spend in the mission field, if those years are spent in dedicated service, will yield a greater return on investment than any other two years of your lives. You will come to know what dedication and consecration mean. You will develop a spirit of teamwork. The cankering evil of selfishness will be supplanted by a sense of service to others. You will draw nearer to the Lord than you likely will in any other set of circumstances. You will come to know that without His help you are indeed weak and simple, but with His help, you can accomplish miracles.

You will estabish habits of industry. You will develop a talent for the establishment of goals of will effort. You will learn to work with singleness of purpose. What a tremendous foundation all of this will become for you in your later educational effort and your life's work."

-Gordon B. Hinckley.