But If Not

Of course, we all want our hopes and dreams to come true. We sincerely want to achieve our goals and attain our greatest desires. At times when we see someone reach that ecstasy when she is sweet, humble and deserving, we are both inspired and touched.

It can be a wonderful moment that changes your life and that of others.

But we live in a broken world and face obstacles that seem to take our breath away and destroy the possibility of reaching all our hopes and dreams. In some cases we deal with challenges that quickly take our eyes off the goal. And instead of waiting on the edge of our seat for a chance to dive into the opportunities before us, we pull back and doubt our possibilities. Perhaps we have to deal with other emotions that sew doubt, fear, or other reactions in our mind and heart. Sentiments like “I can’t do this” or “Good things never happen to people like me” are far too often voiced by regular folks like you and me and especially those in the throes of adversity and hardship. But God didn’t put us on this earth to fail. He provided a plan and a purpose that empowers all men and women to achieve their potentials. And because of the Savior Jesus Christ, all our fondest dreams can come to fruition.

When life’s challenges seem to get us down and threaten to overcome us, we must remember who is on our side. In the middle of the storm, when a battle is raging, we are not alone. Our cast is a team, captained by the supreme Creator himself, and we’re on his side. We are assured victory if we align ourselves with the King. Our role models exemplify divine characteristics, and we come to know and appreciate Him more every day because good leaders guide us and teach us about his true nature.

Camilla wrote and delivered a talk recently, where she asks what would you paint to capture the Atonement. She articulates this point much better than I can, so read her words below:

“Given all that he has already gone through for you, he’s not going to run away from you at your greatest need now — not at the sight of an argument with your spouse or a child gone astray or a bad breakup or a seemingly impossible decision.

“So if you find yourself being negative or doubting that things will work out for you, ask yourself, "What is it that you think Christ can’t do? Or what is it that you think Christ won’t do for you?"

“Whatever it is that you think Christ won’t do for you, remember what he’s already done for you — in Gethsemane and on the cross and in your own life. There’s no distance he won’t travel and no place (no matter how dark or lonely) he won’t go in order to bring you and your family home.

“So when I think about what I would paint to capture the essence of the Atonement, I think about my own family and the work the Savior is doing on the other side to put us in the celestial kingdom with him and with each other for eternity. So I would paint my family in the celestial kingdom, because Christ’s work, the work of his Atonement, is not over until we are safely there.”

When Steven was just a boy, he learned to play the piano at the persistence of mother. Later he took on the percussion and excelled at drums. In high school, he learned to play the guitar. He used his gift to produce a number of songs. His thought-provoking lyrics and catchy tunes still cheer our home with fun and harmony. I am amazed at his talent. This passion continued into college, and his abilities were noticed by others. The gigs where he played let him pursue his passion and have fun doing it. Upon sharing his music with the family, Grandpa would ask for a copy of the lyrics so he could read the words and follow along the verses and chorus lines. I think the words made the songs even that much better, and Grandpa didn’t want to misunderstand any one of them.

Likewise the Lord has been very articulate through his prophets about the times we are entering, which is sometimes referred to as the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Interestingly after giving the term some thought, President Russell M. Nelson considers the term Millennials appropriate for the new generation. “The term Millennial is perfect for you if that term reminds you of who you really are and what your purpose in life really is. A True Millennial is one who was taught and did teach the gospel of Jesus Christ premortally and who made covenants with our Heavenly Father there about courageous things—even morally courageous things—that you would do while here on earth.”

The millennial era could not begin without the widespread destruction of the wicked. Therefore, while the battle of Armageddon is in and of itself a thing horrible to contemplate, it is necessary because of the wickedness of the world, and ultimately it will play an important part in the Lord’s plan for redemption of the world. President Joseph Fielding Smith observed:

“I know these are unpleasant things. It is not a pleasant thing even for me to stand here and tell you that this is written in the Scriptures. If the Lord has a controversy with the nations, He will put them to the sword… Don’t you think the Lord has given us these things that we might know and we might prepare ourselves through humility, through repentance, through faith, that we might escape from these dreadful conditions that are portrayed by these ancient prophets? That is why I am reading them. I feel just as keenly as you do about the condition, and I pray for it to come to an end, but I want it to come to an end right. …

“So I pray every day of my life that the Lord will hasten His work; and while all this has to take place, I hope He will hasten it, that it may soon come to an end, that peace may come; and so I repeat, as I said in one of the talks some time ago, I am praying for the end of the world because I want a better world. I want the coming of Christ. I want the reign of peace. I want the time to come when every man can live in peace and in the spirit of faith, humility and prayer.” (Signs of the Times, pp. 154–55, 175.)

The following are some phrases about you and your potential to make a difference in others’ lives:

You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. If you do not prepare to do them, they will not be done. If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here.

You can read the entire address from Bishop H. Burke Peterson online Your Life Has a Purpose.

This is just the beginning. I am totally convinced that you are not even aware how amazing you are.

What we need now is the greatest generation of young adults in the history of the Church. We need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate young adults who know how to listen and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as you make your way through the daily trials and temptations of being a young, contemporary Latter-day Saint.

Your fan club is better than anything you have experienced here on earth. You have a cheering section rooting for you on both sides of the veil. Your victory is assured if you will align yourself with Christ.

In other words, it’s time to raise the bar not only for missionaries but also for returned missionaries and for your entire generation.

Living in a world That’s constantly changing All of the lines are blurred Between right and wrong In the middle of a storm A battle is waging But I already know Which side I’m on Pre: I will fight for my king Cause he is fighting for me

Chorus: I want to be . . . Firm as the mountain Stretched to the sky Strong as a fortress Sure as the night I want to be . . . Straight as an arrow Deep as the sea That’s how He lived So that’s how I’ll be

Following the One Who’s leading us onward Right there by His side Wherever He goes Running to the aid Of those who are wounded To lift them off the ground And carry them home Pre: He has given everything So I will give Him all of me