Bishop Jeff Anderson
October 3, 2021
Dear Ward Family & Friends,
What a wonderful General Conference. How comforting it is to listen to a Prophet’s voice as he challenged us to seek the guidance of the Spirit to receive answers to personal questions and feel support from him personally in our lives as we participate in this General Conference.
Many are struggling quietly, behind closed doors. Some are being tempted beyond what seems fair. The world is screaming with anger toward others while neglecting self-reflection.
Over the past several weeks there seemed to be more darkness, more questions, and less hope. I have struggled to stay optimistic. The grind of the day has paid a toll on my heart as I have felt overwhelmed, down, and unappreciated. These feelings have driven me to search for more meaning in what I do and a revived hope in the future. I looked forward to hearing the words spoken at conference, knowing that my soul will be lifted. While I waited I leaned on messages from the scriptures, leaders from the past, and positive messages.
5 aTrust in the Lord with all thine bheart; and lean not unto thine cown dunderstanding.
6 In all thy ways aacknowledge him, and he shall bdirect thy cpaths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
37 aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Alma 37:37
We are encouraged to look for truth as we listen to good music, received uplifting messages, and read good books. I love listening to positive podcasts. Many messages that ring true to me.
a bit of Optimism – by Simon Sinek, author of the Book: Start With Why!
Simon Sinek started the podcast to interview individuals that he has been inspired by or has leaned on through the pandemic and personal struggles. In one broadcast he quoted Dr. James Carse with his definition of Optimism.
“Optimism is not blind positivity and it is not naïve. You can live in darkness, you can be in darkness, you can go through hard times but Optimism is the undying belief that the future is bright. If you assume there is not hope, you guarantee there will be no hope.
Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”
Dr. James Carse
I have listened to leaders from the past, hoping for some guidance and strength to help me keep moving forward. Here are a few thoughts from a few talks I found as I searched “Optimism”:
In a devotional titled: There Is Always Hope by JOHN H. GROBERG of the Seventy on June 3, 1984
There is always hope. No matter how dismal things appear, no matter how problem-prone we seem to be, no matter what reversals and setbacks we suffer, there is always hope.
So you see, the battle lines are clearly drawn. Satan and his forces (the world) will do everything in their power to have you lose hope—to be constantly down on yourself, always discouraged, despondent, etc. We know people like that because we have been like that sometimes. Satan wants to discourage you, for he knows discouragement and hope cannot exist together. So if he gets you discouraged enough, out goes hope.
On the other hand, the Savior will do just the opposite. He will do all in his power to encourage you, lift you up, give you hope, help you in every way possible, so that with a “steadfastness in Christ” we may attain to that “perfect brightness of hope” and then discouragement and despair are gone. Can you see how clear that is?
Darkness, discouragement, pessimism, depression, anger, lack of hope—all come from Satan and his forces, whereas optimism, light, encouragement, hope, even to a perfect brightness of hope—all come from the Savior.
John H. Groberg
In a devotional titled: The Lord Is at the Helm by GORDON B. HINCKLEY of the First Presidency on March 6, 1994
I picked up the Washington Post this morning and thumbed through it. It appeared to me a litany of negativism. If you were to read the Washington Post this morning, you might think the whole nation was going down the drain, and the whole world…
I contrast that with the optimism I feel concerning the Church. This is the greatest day—the greatest season—in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my judgment. How wonderful to be alive today. How wonderful to be a part of this great cause at this time in the history of the world and in the history of this church. Never has it been so large. Never has it been so strong. Never has it been so highly regarded. Never has it made the kind of progress that it is making today. I say that with great humility and with great appreciation. I don’t discount the glorious days when the Prophet Joseph Smith walked the earth and spoke as a prophet to the people. I don’t discount the great, marvelous days of struggle and sacrifice and pain when our people came west under the leadership of President Brigham Young. I don’t minimize the accomplishments of any other era of the history of the Church or the greatness of any president who has presided over the Church. I simply say that things are getting better and better. And I feel profoundly grateful for that.
I come this evening with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.
I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism.
Gordon B. Hinckley, 1994
In the October 1995 General Conference to talk titled: Stay the Course—Keep the Faith by GORDON B. HINCKLEY, President of the Church
So it was in the latter part of the last century. It seemed the whole world stood against us. But the faithful knew there was sunlight behind those dark clouds, and that if they held on the storm would pass.
Today we walk in the sunlight of goodwill. There is a tendency on the part of some to become indifferent. There are those who drift off seeking the enticements of the world, forsaking the cause of the Lord. I see others who think it is all right to lower their standards, perhaps in small ways. In this very process, they lose the cutting edge of enthusiasm for this work. For instance, they think the violation of the Sabbath is a thing of unimportance. They neglect their meetings. They become critical. They engage in backbiting. Before long they have drifted from the Church.
The Prophet Joseph once declared, “Where doubt is, their faith has no power” (Lectures on Faith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985, p. 46).
I invite any who may have so drifted to come back to the strong and solid moorings of the Church. This is the work of the Almighty. Whether we as individuals go forward will depend on us. But the Church will never fail to move forward.
Gordon B. Hinckley, 1995
During the month of October, please take President Nelson’s challenge to prayerfully ask for answers to your questions by listening to the messages from the conference and be touched and taught by the spirit.
As life deals challenges, reach out to a close friend, a family member, your ward family, and to us. Know that we are here for you.
I know He Lives and knows of our individual challenges. Lean on our Savior, Jesus Christ for his cleansing, strengthening, and redeeming power. His Atonement is enough, His Love is all reaching and everlasting.
We LOVE you all,
“Stay Humble, Work Hard, & Be Kind”
