God loves us. He is good, He is our Father, and He expects us to pray, and to trust and be believing, and not give up, and not panic, and not retreat, when something doesn't seem to be going just right.

Never check your religion at the door. Not ever.

One way or another, I think virtually all of the prophets and early Apostles had their visionary moments of our time--a view that gave them courage in their own less successful eras. Those early brethren knew an amazing amount about us. Prophets such as Moses, Nephi, and the brother of Jared saw the latter days in tremendously detailed vision. Some of what they saw wasn't pleasing, but surely all those earlier generations took heart from knowing that there would finally be one dispensation that would not fail.

Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world.

Just believing, just having a molecule of faith--that simple step, when focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, has ever been and always will be not only the first principle of His Eternal Gospel but also the first step out of despair.

If we constantly focus on the stones in our mortal path, we will almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided by a loving Father who outlined our journey.

If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead.