Now Let Us Rejoice!

Now Let us Rejoice!

Aren't we all hping for a better world? What is there to rejoice in, in this crazy year? In reading Ether this week, I learned that if I want God to hear and answer my prayers, I need to pray not just in routine ways with generalized requests or repetition, but rather, with sincere faith and hope in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and Their power. Believe in Him. Exercise Faith. Moroni counseled in Ether 12:3-4, "Believe in God unto repentance", and "by faith all things are fulfilled-- "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with a surety hope for a better world..." I found personal application to this time, right now, in verse 4. "Hope [for a better world] cometh of faith [and] maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast,always abounding in good works, being led by God" (Ether 12:4). Moroni encourages us to be patient. "Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore,dispute not because ye see not" (Ether12:6). The chapter is FULL of counsel, teachings and examples of faith from which we can learn. Countless people have seen Christ with their own eyes. Moroni shared many examples from which we can hold on to and gain stronger hope. Moroni himself says, "I have seen Jesus, and that he talked with me face to face, and that he told me...even as a man telleth another in mine own language..." "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record for them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." Let us not be strangers to God. Let us go forth with faith and rejoice in the Glory of God and power of Him and our Saviour Jesus Christ. With love, Jillene Smith