Of the three, Faith may be the most well known and popular, the one whose companionship is sought most often. She’s active and energetic, definitely the can-do type. Faith can move mountains, if necessary.
I picture Charity as being modest and refined, beautiful and gracious. In her presence you feel genuinely loved and accepted. She’s unfailingly kind and generous, patient, empathetic, aware of every need, and responsive without being asked. How could you not want the companionship of someone like Charity?
Then there’s Hope, who seems to have a problem with the way people perceive her. It may be her name and the way it’s commonly used: “I hope the car passes inspection.” Or, “I hope the weather will be nice for the wedding.” Used this way, the word hope is the verbal equivalent of keeping your fingers crossed. Consequently, many seem to think Hope is unsure, even fickle—she may or may not grace you with her companionship.
Hope is a poor Cinderella. All quite clever. The author makes some astute points about putting together puzzles. Good read, not Hemingway, but not what i was expecting either.
Probably because Larry Hiller (EIC of one of the Church magazines...maybe Ensign, I don't remember) is an experienced writer. So, maybe not open to the same inspiration that GAs are, but definitely has more training in terms of creating a metaphor and sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteNot to say that you have to have an education and experience in writing to do that. Jesus was pretty good at it.
In anticipation of your response, obviously anyone can call himself a writer, including the members of the Church who submit manuscripts that make up the Ensign along with articles by general authorities and Church staff.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, I'm just reiterating what you said. The author is a good writer.
No, I really did like it, and it was clear that he was an experienced writer. I just wish there were more articles like it. I even sent the Ensign an email saying I liked it. (I was considering getting the church office email address naming convention from you and emailing Larry directly, but I was too lazy.) Seeing whackos in the Ensign gives me hope--maybe, one day, somewhere, there is a place for my weirdness.
ReplyDeletekarl - you need to move to our ward - you will feel SO normal and might even begin to crave a more pedestrian, even suburban life.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good article - but then the Ensign often has good articles - reading it regularly gives you access to them - I tend to skim it first - and then focus on those that leap out at me.
ReplyDeleteSo let me say that I was really impressed with this article, too. I had been wondering about the value of hope as that sort of 'wishful thinking,' and was very glad to get a new definition of it.
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