If there’s anything Americans agree on these days, a new poll confirms that they are pessimistic about the future. In a world beset by escalating violence, hostility and despair, it can be hard for many to see any serious reason for hope.

But hope permeated this weekend’s general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — the first presided over by President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Speaking during the closing moments of conference, President Oaks tenderly described learning about his father’s death as a 7-year-old boy, prompting him to run into his bedroom “crying my heart out.”

But comfort came from a grandpa who followed him and fell to his knees beside the grieving boy, saying, “I will be your father.”

“We are a family c

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