Church News viewpoint: Be of good cheer

The daily headlines rarely fail to deliver their heavy litany of bad news. Staggering economies and job woes. Terrorism and war. Tsunamis and earthquakes. Flu pandemics and health-care worries. Broken homes and broken lives.

Indeed, there is darkness about. For many, getting through the day means navigating an obstacle course of worry and dread. Hope can seem a vague, even unattainable, concept.

Yet even amidst the all-too-real troubles of the day, hope exists. Despite the din of cynicism, a spirit of optimism can sustain, and is sustaining, the lives of many.

In both ancient and modern times, Christ's followers have endured trouble and woe. Difficult challenges have fogged the paths of even the most faithful, including the Lord's prophets and apostles.

Even Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, would find himself on the business end of hard, lonesome periods of imprisonment and persecution. Joseph's despair was evident in his query: \"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?\"

But the Lord had not forgotten his servant.

\"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

\"And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high\" (Doctrine and Covenants 121: 1, 7-8).

Our Mormon leaders reassure all who are troubled that the Lord's comforting words to Joseph Smith are extended to each of his children. Stop seeking out the storms, implored President Gordon B. Hinckley. Enjoy the sunlight.

See the full story on ldschurchnews.com.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.