Hope, the anchor to the soul, is a steadying influence in a life where an occasional tidal wave can cause a person to drift aimlessly or get caught in whirlpools or run into sand bars, said Relief Society Gen. Pres. Elaine L. Jack.
"The waves come and go in their fury or playfulness, but hope is always there if we will but use this sure anchor," Sister Jack said on the first day of the BYU Women's Conference on April 11.More than 6,000 women, the largest group ever, attended the April 11-12 conference, which was sponsored by BYU and the Relief Society. Women came from places as far away as Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and from 45 states throughout the U.S.
Nearly 100 speakers participated in panels, discussions and presentations on a variety of subjects connected with the theme of the conference, " . . . press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope," taken from 2 Ne. 31:20.
Giving the opening keynote address at the conference, Sister Jack remarked, "To me, hope embodies happy feelings, anticipation of good things, the best of the gospel and zest for life. In this women's conference we celebrate `a perfect brightness of hope.' What a light, ebullient phrase that is. I've stood on a mountain top at sunrise and thought of that phrase, it moves and warms me so.
"Hope - what it does to my soul when I feel it. Hope - what it does for the world when we act on it."
In her address, Sister Jack told of meeting many women in the past year who have lost hope. "It makes me so sad because a life without hope is not life - not in the gospel sense. For me, to live in despair is not to live. I cannot imagine life without hope.
"Perhaps this is because I learned early that hope is a personal quality, essential for righteous living. In fact, hope is one of the personality traits of Godlike men and women.
" . . . As all of you know, daily living can be draining. The demands on women seem to multiply. Personal lives can be in such chaos. Yet, hope stands as a beacon, warm, steady and inviting. It is reassuring to me that this quality I enjoy so much is also requisite for those who would follow the light and life of the Savior of the world."
Hope matters, Sister Jack emphasized, giving three reasons.
First, hope, charity and faith are so closely related.
"These three good friends - faith, hope and charity - become stronger because of their association with each other. Perhaps what is most important about them is that they exist together. The charitable woman is also the hopeful, faithful woman. Hence, when a woman loses hope, she will also lose faith and charity.
"Sisters, let us cling to our faith, our hope, our charity, remembering that upon this trio hangs our well-being, now and forever."
Second, without hope a person despairs.
"It is undeniable that life can bring each of us heartache, devastation, despair. It is undeniable that the gospel brings us hope, which, when well-planted, grows into a magnificent garden."
Third, hope is an anchor to the soul.
Hope can be obtained by knowing the Savior, Sister Jack explained.
"I know faith and hope are not a placebo meant to placate the questions and desires of our hearts. They are realities. My hope and my joy in life are based upon the atonement of our Savior and the restoration of the gospel in these days. I base my life on it; therefore, I have reason for my hope.
"My sisters and my friends, our Savior lives, and He loves us. This gospel is one of light and joy, warmth and belonging. . . . Our joy, our hope begins and ends in our Savior."
Don't defer hope, she admonished. "Physically, emotionally and spiritually, hope deferred sickens our hearts. To prevent illness, grab onto, hold onto your hope. Sisters, daily confirm your hope."
But what should a person hope for, she asked. "Let us hope for a better world. To hope for a better world means that we invest in it now. All our efforts, in the home, the workplace and the community are investments in a better - and cleaner - world."
"Just think of all the small ways you live with hope for your world. Whether you recognize it or not, your days are full of a hundred acts borne from your personal perfect brightness of hope.
"How much happier our lives are when we daily add the conscious optimism of hope. I think of hope as a basket full of glorious spring flowers, each blossom representing one part of what my family, friends and I hope for. Together these hopes are a radiant, abundant, fragrant bouquet. Whatever our metaphor for it, hope remains an effervescent, expectant, happy part of life."
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