My dad's friend from our old Taylorsville Stake, Larry Hiller, had such an insightful piece in the June Ensign. ("Hope: The Misunderstood Sister", Larry Hiller, Ensign June 2009) Brother Hiller describes Faith, Hope and Charity as three sisters:
"Faith may be the most well known and popular, the one whose companionship is sought most often. She’s active and energetic, definitely the can-do type. Faith can move mountains, if necessary. I picture Charity as being modest and refined, beautiful and gracious. In her presence you feel genuinely loved and accepted. She’s unfailingly kind and generous, patient, empathetic, aware of every need, and responsive without being asked."
Then he says that Hope is the misunderstood sister and he works, in the article, to put a face on her elusive character. Unlike the way we use the word "hope" in our every day speech, Brother Hiller showed me that hope is anything but elusive and fickle. He used a scripture from Romans as his proof.
"We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
As life brings to us hard experiences, we have wonderful times where we feel the "love of God" and feel "the Holy Ghost" ministering to us. Those warm, supportive, peace-giving feelings build in us a confidence and strength. Brother Hiller explained, "I find Him sharing my yoke, making my burdens bearable, and giving me hope. I then have strength to endure. I have assurance that all will be made right, not just in life, but also for eternity. Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience." This is the sister "Hope". As we have experience after experience with the ministration of the Holy Ghost, these assurances grow. This is "hope".
I love the imagery that Brother Hiller creates in his little sidebar poem. He speaks of a person walking a life of faith in Jesus Christ with Hope's arm "linked with mine, encouraging, steadying." Such amazing insight.
He concluded by drawing a picture for the reader of Hope's qualities
"She is serene. Her eyes have the deep, knowing look of someone well acquainted with sorrow, the luminosity of recently being wet with tears. Hope has the confidence of one who clearly sees a bright future even when the next hours seem fog shrouded. Hope is steady and strong..."
Because I am one who has found Hope to be "elusive", these insights were helpful to me. In the past, I think I have called "hope", "spiritual confidence", based on an Elder Edgley Conference talk that touched me during my young adulthood. (Richard C. Edgley, “That Thy Confidence Wax Strong,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 39) But these new insights from Brother Hiller have given me new eyes. Having a definition that I understand breathes new meaning into the scriptures and Conference talks where the word "hope" is oft used. Now, I can now insert "experiences with God and the Holy Ghost that, collectively, have the ability to steady and assure" when I read or hear the word "hope". I am anxious to re-read Elder Uchtdorf's recent Conference address with these new ideas rolling around in my head. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Infinite Power of Hope,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 21–24) I'm going to do so today.
Walking with Two Sisters
By Larry Hiller
Faith walks before me,
Holding up her lamp
As I try not to stumble in the ink-dark hours before the dawn.
Her light illuminates
One step and then another.
Beside me, Hope, arm linked with mine, encourages and steadies.
Sometimes in the tedium,
Distracted by the pain,
My mind begins to wander, then my feet. I hesitate.
Unsure, I look to Hope.
Her hand takes mine.
The touch reminds me of another hand held out to me,
One pierced and scarred
Yet oh so tender
Lifting me and blessing me when I had fallen and despaired.
Remembering,
I move ahead
Buoyed up by Hope, who sees the end with perfect clarity.
