Every goal we set and accomplish represents a visualization of a reality that doesn’t yet exist. That’s why faith is fundamental to discipleship: We believe in things we can’t see, and we have hope for things that haven’t yet happened.
In his epistle to the Hebrews, Paul provides a long list of people who exercised faith. In the middle of the list, he identifies a common denominator among these people: They “embraced” the promises they had received from God, even though those promises had not yet been fulfilled. They were able to visualize those promises “afar off” and act with confidence. (See Hebrews 11:13.)
The law of Moses represented “a shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1), which is why Jacob and Amulek both said that it pointed their souls toward Jesus Christ. (See Jacob 4:5, Alma 34:14.) That is also one reason Jesus is called “an high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).
But there’s another reason that’s much more personal. Jesus can help us believe in better times ahead, particularly when we have every reason to feel hopeless. I love these words of encouragement from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:
Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world” [Ether 12:4]. For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of “good things to come.”
My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened.” It is the very Son of God Himself. In loving praise far beyond Romeo’s reach, we say, “What light through yonder window breaks?” It is the return of hope, and Jesus is the Sun. To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises.” He is your “high priest of good things to come.”
“An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” General Conference, October 1999, italics in original
Today, I will look forward to better days ahead. I will trust the promises of the Savior, even promises that seem to be “afar off.” I will keep pressing forward with hope for the future.
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