"We Are Saved by Hope"

Romans 8:20; 20. Man is subject to the trials of mortality; if faithful, he receives the hope of eternal life.

Romans 8:20; 20. The creature] 22. The whole creation] Man is the creature; all created beings are the whole of creation. Paul is speaking of the need for men, as part of their adoption into the family of God, to become, as Alma expressed it, "new creatures," that is to "be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness." (Mosiah 27:25.)

Romans 8:21; 21. Bondage of corruption] Bondage of sin, in which men are bound by the chains of hell. Liberty of the children of God] "The truth shall make you free." (John 8:32.)

Romans 8:22; 22. All men are as in the pain of travail, awaiting the new birth of the Spirit.

Romans 8:23; 23. And even the saints who already have the Spirit birth, yet struggle as in travail, awaiting the final redemption of the soul.

Romans 8:24; 24. For we are saved by hope] "As used in the revelations, hope is the desire of faithful people to gain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God hereafter. It is not a flimsy, ethereal desire, one without assurance that the desired consummation will be received, but a desire coupled with full expectation of receiving the coveted reward. Paul, for instance, was not hesitant in affirming that he lived, 'In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began' (Tit. 1:2), and Peter assured all the elect that 'by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,' their 'lively hope' of 'an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven' for the saints, had been renewed or 'begotten' again. (1 Peter 1:1-5.)

Romans 8:24; "Hope is always centered in Christ (Psalms 31:24; Psalms 42:5, 11; Psalms 43:5; Psalms 146:5); it always pertains to salvation in the kingdom of God (Lam. 3:26; Acts 24:15; Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1; Colossians 1:5, 23); and without hope there can be no salvation. Speaking to the Lord, Moroni said: 'Thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.' (Ether 12:32.)

Romans 8:24; "There is only one true hope (Ephesians 4:4), 'that blessed hope' (Tit. 2:13), and the saints are commanded to acquire it. (D&C 6:19; Alma 7:24.) It is one of the essential qualifications for those who labor in the ministry (D&C 4:5); none can assist in the Lord's work without it (D&C 12:8; 18:19); those who have it are not ashamed of the testimony they bear (Romans 5:5); rather, they are commanded to 'be ready always to give an answer to every man' for the hope that is in them. (1 Peter 3:15.)

Romans 8:24; "Hope is born of righteousness. 'The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.' (Prov. 10:28; 14:32.) The hope of the wicked 'shall be as the giving up of the ghost.' (Job 11:20.) Hope is found through the gospel; the scriptures themselves have been recorded that men 'might have hope' (Romans 15:4); and angels minister unto man to confirm that hope. (D&C 128:21.) And those who gain the full hope of eternal life purify themselves even as Christ is pure. (1 John 3:1-3.)

Romans 8:24; "Faith and hope are inseparable. Hope enables men to have faith in the first instance and then because of faith that hope increases until salvation is gained. 'How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?' Mormon asks. 'And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.' (Moroni 7:40-44.)

Romans 8:24; "Moroni quoted the words of Ether who said: 'By faith all things are fulfilled—Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.' Then Moroni explained that 'faith is things which are hoped for and not seen,' and said that Christ had revealed himself to men, 'that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.' (Ether 12:3-9.) Hope thus is one of the gifts of the Spirit. 'Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,' Paul prayed for the Roman Saints, 'that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.' (Romans 15: 13.)" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., pp. 365-366.)