See the Stars

I came across a quote this week that contributed so well to where much of my focus has been lately. It's by Charles A. Beard, who said "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."

The world is caught in a moral decline that seems unstoppable. Natural disasters, war, poverty, and crime have taken over our television screens. The future of the economy is in serious doubt by many. With all of these things happening in the world today, it would be easy to allow fear and uncertainty to creep into our hearts, to give in to pessimism and negative thoughts. "Dark" would be a justifiable adjective in describing much of what the world is today. What has struck me overwhelmingly this week is that despite all of what is dark, if we look we can see The Star.

Mosiah 16:9 says, "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless..." Compare this with John 8:12, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Jesus Christ is that light. He is "the bright and morning star" we can look to when it's dark (Revelation 16:22).

Jeffrey R. Holland said, "To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His 'more excellent ministry' with a future of 'better promises'. He is your 'high priest of good things to come.'" It was Christ Himself, who had before Him a mission which would cause incomprehensible sorrow and pain, yet said to His apostles before His suffering, "be of good cheer" (John 16:33).

It is my belief that no matter how hard things get, no matter what life throws at you, no matter how dark it gets, the light of the Savior will be more visible than ever before. Each of us has a choice to accept our circumstances and believe that there are better things to come. It is up to you.

The things which we in visions see

Are heralds of the things to be;

For what we dream, we do.

Desires which in our beings burn,

The hopes with which our bosoms yearn,

Are destined to come true.

-Colfax Harman