The Archives are Open...

We've been toying with the idea for awhile. Today it just feels right: we're opening the archives. Please enjoy.

If there is a post you especially love, leave a comment for us here. Perhaps next week sometime we'll do a post of "favorites" from the past.

Thanks for all of your support and encouragement. The Hopefully Mormon community is lovely. We'll continue to post submissions as they come in: maybe the archives will inspire you to create your own?

They are a reason for my hope...

Remember that MormonAd with the hands full of tar that said something about how we shouldn't pass along gossip?

That's what I thought of when I heard President Monson's talk about charity at the Relief Society General Meeting. I feel like it was an answer to my prayers about a ward full of busy chatter. I really feel like the Lord heard my prayers and answered them through a prophet. Thank you.

"Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.
Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited."

Hope in the gospel gives me strength to keep trying to love, give, serve, show kindness, etc. These are some of the fruits of my testimony of Jesus.

When a man gives his life for the cause he has advocated, he meets the highest test of his honesty that his own or any future generation can in fairness ask. When he dies for the testimony he has borne, all malicious tongues should ever after be silent, and all voices hushed in reverence for a sacrifice so complete.
Ezra Dalby, 1926

Now is the time for labor. Let the fire of the covenant which you made in the House of the Lord, burn in your hearts, like flame unquenchable. 

Brigham Young

And it is given unto thee to know...

I find Abraham's relationship with God endlessly hopeful. God is willing to teach Abraham so much!

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light...receiveth more light...

D&C 50:23-24

The pioneers made great efforts to record their experiences: in journals, in letters, on rocks... I am grateful for their commitment to us.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I'm grateful for the perspective the gospel brings to both war and peace.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me, ye can do nothing.

John 15:5

(An Indexing screen capture. Thousands of volunteers transcribe these historical records into a searchable database as part of the Church's mission to "redeem the dead.")

Each individual name reminds me that the gospel is about each individual person.

The young men and young women of my ward have renewed my faith.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

I think this is the best Article of our Faith.

Hopeful and Mormon

Catching up on the news this morning this headline caught my eye: More teens becoming "fake" Christians. The author of a new book, Kenda Creasy Dean, asserts that when youth pastors or parents water down the costs of being Christians, teenagers are less likely to become passionate or articulate about that religion.

Exceptions? Paragraph 13: Mormon and evangelical teens:

"In 'Almost Christian' [author] Dean talks to the teens who are articulate about their faith. Most come from Mormon and evangelical churches, which tend to do a better job of instilling religious passion in teens, she says.

No matter their background, Dean says committed Christian teens share four traits: They have a personal story about God they can share, a deep connection to a faith community, a sense of purpose and a sense of hope about their future."

I find it hopeful that dedicated, religious adults are committed to teaching their children about Jesus Christ. And I love that the Mormon teens in the study represented well. This Ensign article from President Hinckley addresses some similar issues that Dean is working through.

The doctrine of repentance gives me hope.

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For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden; and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

2 Nephi 8:3

The uncertainty has helped me see God's steadiness.

Hopeful and Mormon

If you don't know who J. Kirk Richards is yet, you will.

He paints lovely representations of Christ (I have a print hanging in my dining room), he's a Provo native (go Bulldogs), and he's becoming quite a force for good on the local art scene.

Generally speaking, I'd say he's hopeful and Mormon. But it's his Church Doodle series from one of his blogs that is worth a mention today. He sometimes collaborates with his children which also produces charming little doodles. Check it out.

My grandfather always said that going to the temple felt like going home. 

I think about it every time I see a temple. Or Dorothy.

When I falter, I remind myself that the phrase is "mighty change of heart," not "sudden change of heart."

Great things often take years to form.

...Women should be women and not babies...

Hearing this quote in General Conference made me feel strong and responsible, instead of patronized or weak.

Patheos and Elder Cook

I find the collection of Mormon articles interesting and useful, but this one by Elder Cook is downright hopeful. Hopeful because an apostle is contributing to an online forum. This is not a reprint from an earlier talk or meeting. And the message, of course, is hopeful too.

Each of my children are so different (and perfect): it builds my testimony of a premortal life and the value of each individual spirit.

Prayer is a two sided conversation.

I have learned that when I talk and then listen, prayer can be more powerful. I am grateful for a religion that teaches me that I am important enough that God will talk to me.

God is there for me wherever, whenever.

Yesterday was a lousy day...

This morning, the pleasing word of God healed my wounded soul, and gave me the strength to repent and be better.

Jacob 2:8

At the heart of the gospel is LOVE.

Heavenly Father loves us, so He gave us commandments. When our obedience to Him is motivated only by love, we begin to understand true discipleship. Our love of God can then reach our family, neighbors, and community.

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner... or Ice Cream Dinner...

Christa is our Cold Stone giveaway winner (thanks random number generator). Her comment on what she finds hopeful about summer:

I love late summer nights spent creating - whether that be playing my guitar, making another colorful collage cover for a journal, or just making memories with fabulous people. It always takes me back to those summers of 13, 14, 15, spent staying up late with my best friend Ashley as we watched period films and quote Walt Whitman and e. e. cummings to each other and daydreamed about the future. Day dreaming never has to stop, and that's what late summer nights remind me of. 

Christa, please drop us a line at hopefullymormon at gmail dot com with your full name and mailing address and we'll get the Cold Stone card off to you in the mail.

Thank you, in all seriousness, for the fabulous comments. So thoughtful and hopeful. Between your cheery comments and the back-to-school paperwork that has been arriving in the mail, I can see the next few weeks peeling away quickly. I am set to enjoy it while it lasts!

It is encouraging to be around people who like to do good things... even just for fun.

(And thanks, Jeremy. You made our day!)

He has slaked my thirst with living water

Giveaway

Just a reminder in case you haven't noticed the Cold Stone giveaway... scroll down or click through here to leave a comment on the post from the 27th to be eligible for free ice cream! The giveaway will close Friday at midnight and you have a pretty good shot...

By their fruits ye shall know them.

Even though they're not perfect, in this church I am surrounded by lots of people who are trying hard to be good and do good. I can see with my own eyes that the fruit of trying to live the gospel found in Mormonism is good fruit.

Faith built on the past

Gives me hope for the future

Someday we'll be together forever

lead me
guide me
walk beside me

Giveaway

Have you left your hopeful summer comment to be eligible for a Cold Stone giveaway? Leave a comment on the post from the 27th. The comments are worth reading... so hopeful and thoughtful!

Faith to make me whole.

The context the gospel gives me helps my life to make sense.

We've been given the imperative to seek goodness and beauty. I love that about Mormonism.

Summer Hope

How is your summer going?

Mine has been lovely. Lots of fireworks, picnics, old friends and, for the first time, lots of camping: Girls Camp, Scout Camp, Cub Scout day camp. We are not big campers in our family (we're indoors-y) but I'm discovering/remembering that camping is an important part of the summer experience for most Mormons. 2010 is the summer that I learned to appreciate the value of camping.

I am beginning to wear out. Swimming at the pool has lost its charm. The green plants on the mountains are fading to parched brown. Our ambitious summer reading plans have turned into a chore. But the end is in sight.

To help get us all through the last, hot month of summer, Hopefully Mormon is sponsoring a pleasant giveaway: a $40 gift certificate to Cold Stone, to cool you off and lift your spirits. To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing what it is about summer that makes you feel hopeful (I need help thinking positive to get through the next few weeks). Please enter just once per person. We'll leave the giveaway open through the end of next week, Friday, August 6th, because we all know that internet time gets iffy during the road trips and sunburns that fill summer days.

In summary: $40 Cold Stone giveaway, comment here, enter until Friday, August 6th, at midnight MST.

What do I find hopeful about summer? Homegrown tomatoes, directly from the plant, eaten warm like an apple. If I could give that away, I would.

This giveaway is now closed! Thanks so much for participating.

Brother Brigham dreamed BIG. I dig that.

I am grateful for the pioneers. I live amid evidence of their testimony, and they still strengthen me daily.

Priesthood power... Priesthood blessings.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

When I am lost...I can find a route back home.

D&C 27:2

When my cup is drained and the world has left me tattered and torn, feeling of little worth, I read the wrods of my Father in Heaven, I remember the promises I made to Him, and He to me, and I sit in church and know and feel that all that matters is that He loves me.....and my cup is filled!