“Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time”

Elder Quentin L. Cook

October 2008 General Conference

What it’s about:

Elder Cook spoke about trials, how they are ever-present in our lives, and how they become contributors to our growth.  He discussed forgiveness and gratitude, especially being grateful for the atonement of Christ.

Quotes:

“One of the essential doctrines illuminated by the Restoration is that there must be opposition in all things for righteousness to be brought to pass. This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving.”

“Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them. We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust.  It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain.”

“Regardless of our trials, with the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. […]Our foremost gratitude should be for the Savior and His Atonement. […]I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life. At times when we may feel to say, ‘Hope you know, I had a hard time,’ we can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.”

  

What it means to me:

Quotes #1 & 2: I found that these statements are very inspirational and clear reminders of what our trials are all about; their purpose and the reality that sometimes things just happen because they happen (good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people).  I appreciate it when messages from the brethren are simple and applicable, as this was. 

Quote #3: He shared a story of two women in the church brought together by a tragic automobile accident that left them both longing for loved ones lost.  I learned from this story that where forgiveness is found, there is love… with love, there is healing… and with healing, one is better able to find things to be grateful for amongst even the most challenging trials.  The woman who lost her husband in the accident that was caused by the other woman’s son, had an amazingly loving and forgiving heart.   She said, “Through this trial, I have felt the love of my Father in Heaven and my Savior in greater abundance than I had ever felt before.”  Just as was counseled by Elder Cook, this woman found blessings through all of her pain and grief.  I have a thought… Christ understands all our pain and sorrows because he has experienced them firsthand, and is there with us ready to help carry our burdens if we will let Him in.  If we follow Elder Cook’s further counsel to remember to be grateful for the atonement, which allows Christ to share in our burdens, then we are inviting Him to walk beside us often.  Someone once said, “familiarity breeds love”… so in enduring the frequent trials that come with this mortal experience, ensuring that we have Christ by our side helping us carry them, we will come to know Him better because we are in His presence more.  Feels kinda good. 

“In Tune with the Music of Faith”

Elder Quentin L. Cook

April 2012 General Conference

What it’s about:

Elder Cook spoke about how we can move faithfully in a forward direction, doing what we need be doing in order to keep our lives in line with God’s will.  He even took this beyond an individual need to “be in tune” with God’s will, and counseled us regarding what we can do to help our families to grow strong and full of faith. 

Quotes:

“Finally, there are those who are in tune with the music of faith. You know who you are. You love the Lord and His gospel and continuously try to live and share His message, especially with your families. You are in harmony with the promptings of the Spirit, have awakened to the power of God’s word, have religious observance in your homes, and diligently try to live Christlike lives as His disciples.”

“Our great desire is to raise our children in truth and righteousness. One principle that will help us accomplish this is to avoid being overly judgmental about conduct that is foolish or unwise but not sinful. […]it [is] important to distinguish between youthful mistakes which should be corrected and sins that require chastening and repentance. Where there is lack of wisdom, our children need instruction. Where there is sin, repentance is essential.”

“Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. […]Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.”

“The essential doctrine of agency requires that a testimony of the restored gospel be based on faith rather than just external or scientific proof. Obsessive focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress. These are matters of faith. Ultimately, Moroni’s counsel to read and ponder and then ask God in all sincerity of heart, with real intent, to confirm scriptural truths by the witness of the Spirit is the answer. In addition, when we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace.”

What it means to me:

I was drawn in by how Elder cook delivered a simple message that addressed everyone’s circumstances and where they are in their journey down, around, away from, or returning to the narrow path of righteousness.  The quotes above were all just really good and contained clear council that I felt was good to note.  Though nothing really reached out and shook my soul about this talk, it did testify  to me that Heavenly Father has not made things terribly complicated in regards to what we need to do to return to Him and live with our families for eternity.  

“Regardless of our trials, with the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. […]Our foremost gratitude should be for the Savior and His Atonement. […]I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life. At times when we may feel to say, ‘Hope you know, I had a hard time,’ we can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.”

Quentin L. Cook, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time", October 2008 General Conference

READ the full talk HERE
WATCH the full talk HERE

“One of the essential doctrines illuminated by the Restoration is that there must be opposition in all things for righteousness to be brought to pass. This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving[…] Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them. We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain.”

Quentin L. Cook, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time", October 2008 General Conference

READ the full talk HERE
WATCH the full talk HERE

“The essential doctrine of agency requires that a testimony of the restored gospel be based on faith rather than just external or scientific proof. Obsessive focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress. These are matters of faith. Ultimately, Moroni’s counsel to read and ponder and then ask God in all sincerity of heart, with real intent, to confirm scriptural truths by the witness of the Spirit is the answer. In addition, when we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace.”

Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith", April 2012 General Conference

READ the full talk HERE
WATCH the full talk HERE

“Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. […]Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.”

Quentin L. Cook, "In Tune with the Music of Faith", April 2012 General Conference

READ the full talk HERE
WATCH the full talk HERE