HOPE

O God, touch Thou my aching heart, And calm my troubled, haunting fears.

Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure, Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change, With recompense for victory won;

The gift of Him who loved all men, The Son of God, the Holy One. 

LDS president Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)

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PSALMS 30:5; 42:5

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in me.

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No matter how dark the night or how long the struggle, we all need to believe that the dawn will come and that the tears of the night will be dried in the rays of the morning sun. The Psalmist gives us hope when he promises, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." 

In the course of living there are plenty of chances for weeping. But those tears are not permanent; that despair is not endless. In the dark of the night, in the midst of our (sorrow), we may not see... any reprieve to come, but that feeling passes as the night passes. No matter how much weeping endures for a night, there will always be joy in the morning if we "hope.... in God."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "For Times of Troubles," Spiritual Solace from the PSALMS

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There is terrible suffering in our world today. Tragic things happen to good people. God does not cause them, nor does He always prevent them. He does, however, strengthen us and bless us with His peace, through earnest prayer.

Rex D. Pineagar, "Peace through Prayer," Ensign, May 1993, 67

John 14:18

I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.

D&C 138:14

All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

D&C  42:45

Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die...."

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My dear sweet angel daughter Shaniel, age 32, was tragically taken from us on February 10, 2013. Taken from her four young children. Her birthday... March 4. She would have turned 33 tomorrow. My heart is so broken. It hurts more than I can bear at times. Sorrow has come. The tears flow endlessly. The night is dark. But I know it will not last. I will see her again! I know joy will come in the morning, and I am not left comfortless. 

Life was not meant to be easy. We knew we would have to bear hard things before we came to earth. But the Lord has promised us that He would be with us. He has sent the comforter! To me, to my other children... her brothers and sisters, to her sweet children, and all those that loved her and all those that were affected by her death. 

There is hope. Hope in the life-here-after. Hope in the resurrection. Hope in eternal life. Hope that my heart will heal with time. Hope that joy will come in the morning. I not only hope, but know, I will see my sweet daughter again. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, my Savior's infinite atonement, the comforting presence of the Holy Ghost. I know God hears my prayers and strengthens me in my sorrow. I find peace and strength in reading scriptures from old and modern day prophets. I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have of the plan of salvation, and the peace that fills my soul even at this tragic time. 

Dear, sweet Shaniel.... love you forever. "Til we meet again." My angel, my daughter.