This one really came from a deacon I know.

I'm excited to pass the sacrament.

I'm even more excited that I have the priesthood of the ministering of angels.

I love the body God made for me.

I'm glad I get to use it while I'm here...

I'm a Mormon because Mormons have always answered my questions 

and because I know they'll answer hers too.

Hopeful and Mormon? I'd say so.

Today is the first day of the Gila Valley Arizona Temple open house. If you're in the area...

And if you're not in the area. It's worth reflecting that we're having another temple open house. It makes me think of President Hinckley. His ambition for the kingdom. His vision of inclusive temple worship for all the Saints, not just those in the valleys of Utah. Stone and steel evidence of his testimony of the everlasting nature of the priesthood of God.

The dedication is scheduled for May 23, 2010.

Earth Day

Some Earth Day Links... I think they're all hopeful.

But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.
Mormon 9:11
 
Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20


The Wonder of Creation from the Ensign
The Creation from the Ensign

Earth: A Gift of Gladness from the Ensign
Using Earth's Resources Well a Visiting Teaching Message from the Ensign


Planet Pleasing from the New Era

Brigham Young on the Environment by Hugh Nibley via BYU's Maxwell Institute
The Environmental Ethics of Mormon Belief (click over for a free PDF download)

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies...

He didn't have to make the earth as beautiful as it is. I think it's a lovely gift.

2 Nephi 1 :15

Whoso believeth in God might with a surety hope for a better world...

which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor for the souls of men,

which would make them sure and steadfast...

Ether 12:4

We sometimes gather a collection of submissions from Family Home Evening groups together. Here's another set...

You bore your testimony to me once, in the back room, before you left; you said that you knew God loved you.

It's something I stick to when times get tough.

The best money I spend each month is the money I return to the Lord.

Kjerstin Evans, one of our site founders, was recently interviewed by the Daily Universe (BYU's campus newspaper) about Hopefully Mormon. I thought you might be interested in a fuller perspective on why we started this site: click here for the article.

I hope her testimony also inspires you to create your own postcard or "reason for hope" to send in to Hopefully Mormon. It has definitely been true for me that this medium is enlightening and clarifying. Pairing one important point of testimony with a visual has added a new dimension to the way I think about my own testimony.

And thanks for your honesty, Kjerstin. I'm glad you're so open about sharing your own journey in this faith.

The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we are becoming.

Elder Bednar

Hopeful and Mormon

I found and joined the official LDS Newsroom page on Facebook this morning.

The stories they post are identical to the Newsroom stories you'll find on lds.org. But the comments on the Facebook page were unexpected and are endlessly hopeful. Mormons connecting and buoying each other up. Positive comments, gratitude, and enthusiasm. A happy, hopeful place to visit.

A Family Home Evening with crayons and markers. Love it.

Thine adversity shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.... Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.  

D&C 121: 7-9 

...for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Having optimism precedes eternity.

In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.

Gordon B. Hinckley

God believes in second chances...

no voice

no sign

but a calm and peace came of a clean slate

I've never doubted since.

Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.

Dennis Simmons

This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun and the light of the sun, 

and the power thereof by which it was made.

D&C 88:7

Conference might be my favorite time of year.

Christ died not just for my sins, but for my sorrows. I am now whole again.

for I was drawn toward the love of God as to a fruit both radiant and white...