Be of Good Cheer – April 2009 General Conference Thomas S. Monson
May 24, 2009 by DH
Filed under Mormoncopia
President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave the talk entitled “Be of Good Cheer” at the Sunday morning session of General Conference in April 2009. I recently read this article and wanted to share some of my thoughts regarding it.
There was an occasion when the Lord Jesus Christ took away an upcoming and threatening trial from his disciples. As the Lord slept on a boat, a great storm arose, to such a degree that the disciples were in fear of death. The Lord was awoken and calmly said “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39) In this case the impending danger was avoided through the Lord’s merciful intervention.
Only two months ago, beloved President Thomas S. Monson addressed the body of the church, and the entire world, about our threatening and looming trials. He spoke with great sympathy and love concerning the future, and yet, unlike the Savior, did not promise a cessation of the storm.
President Monson explained, “None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges – and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes…We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened.” (Be of Good Cheer, Sunday Morning Conference, April 2009) Yet, he petitioned us to be “of good cheer… This attitude will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious.” (Be of Good Cheer)
He then went on to relate three heart wrenching stories of people who met their trials with that faith, hope and good cheer. They suffered physical disability, mental, spiritual and emotional anguish, and death of loved ones. Their hardships were not calmed like the storm 2,000 years ago, but they were victorious in fighting through them due to their faith. President Monson finalized by saying that we must only have faith and hope, for our future, though distant, “is as bright as [our] faith”. (Be of Good Cheer)
In conclusion, amidst troubled times, prophetic counsel is like water to a parched throat. Yet, as it always seems to happen during General Conference, prophetic counsel also seems to be as temporary as water to the satisfaction of our thirst. For this, I believe that President Monson, and the former President Hinckley both pleaded with us to read and study the addresses over again. May we drink deeply and often from their words and the words of the Lord is my prayer.
Thank you for such a lovely reminder, of this important counsel by our beloved prophet. It is comforting to know, that the time will certainly come for each of us, when our storms will be calmed, and we will rest from our adversities – and it will only be, because of Jesus Christ.
tDMg
Kathryn,
There were a lot of great talks from the last GC (as always I guess) and we hope to post more in the next little bit.
It wasn’t my post but I’ll accept the compliments in behalf of DH2 in case he doesn’t respond. Thanks for stopping by.
DH