David Kooyman, an associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology at BYU, shared experiences that helped him strengthen his faith and hope in Christ at the university devotional Tuesday.

He started his talk emphasizing the importance of having hope in Christ.

He said sometimes people tend to misunderstand the concept of hope. Some associate hope with a wish whereas the apostle Paul said that it is "much richer than a mere wish."

Kooyman brought up the teachings that Paul had about hope and how people should approach it.

"Hope is made up of the things in which we have faith," Kooyman said

If there is faith in Christ followed by sincere repentance, obedience, humility and meekness then hope in Christ will be solidified.

The professor said having a "life of repentance, obedience and service motivated by a love of God and unshaken faith in Christ" is the origin of hope in Christ that will last forever.

To better emphasize the importance of faith and hope working together, Kooyman used as an example the vision of the tree of life explained in 1 Nephi 8. He explained the role of the two groups of people who caught hold of the iron rod as they made their way to partake of the fruit.

Kooyman mentioned that the difference between these two groups of people is that one of them, the one who pressed forward and clung to the rod of iron felt away when the world mocked them. The other group who held fast to the rod partook of the fruit and they stayed. Those who fell away are those who are desperate and have a lack of hope in their lives. Those who stayed accepted Christ in their lives, never lost hope in him and endured until the end.

"When I read the words 'holding fast' in the description of the vision, I imagine individuals that stand firm against adversity or tribulation because of hope in Christ," Kooyman said.

He also said the key to eternal life is to have an "unshaken faith," a "perfect brightness of hope," and "a love of God and of all men."

"A hope in Christ will motivate us to repent of our sins," Kooyman said. "Repentance will expand our capacity to receive and feel the Spirit and enjoy companionship of the Holy Ghost. ... It is through of the Holy Ghost that we 'may abound in hope'."

He encouraged attending the temple as many times possible because it will increase the faith and hope in Christ.

To show what blessings come with hope and faith in Christ, Kooyman talked about the growing and bonding experiences he and his wife had through the journeys of their lives. They had great faith in each other, in Christ and in Heavenly Father and their main goal was to have an eternal family. They had to climb occasional hills of adversity but they overcame them. All the experiences they dealt with helped their faith in increase.

"Things do work out in the end, if we trust the Lord," Kooyman said. "We can not control some events that cause us great pain, but we can always control how we respond to them."

Kooyman ended his talk by expressing his hope that the audience would remain firm and resolute in following the Savior and developing a steadfast faith in Him- leading to a perfect brightness of hope for what lies ahead, including the eternities.

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