{You are Here to Have Joy!}

 "Men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25) These words are simple, but their meaning is profound. When I look at the world around me, with all the chaos and negativity, I believe people forgot or were never taught this. Why does God want us to have joy? Because He loves us and we are His children. And what more would the perfect Father want than for His children to find total fulfillment, happiness, and become like Him? The scriptures teach us that this is His work and glory. (Moses 1:39)

I love knowing this eternal truth: we were created by our Heavenly Father, with the purpose of having joy! He loves us and wants us to be happy. There are reasons we are here on this planet at this time! This is not by arbitrary chance. The prophet Joseph Smith taught, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God." But how with the evil in the world and sorrow and pain in our own lives is this possible? What can we do to still have joy?

Every six months in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a General Conference is held. In that conference the prophets, apostles (like the form of Christ's primitive church, see Ephesians 2:20), and other church leaders prayerfully prepare and seek what the Savior wants them to say. They share those things with us. President Russell M Nelson, an apostle, shared this about joy, "My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation... and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!...

Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding,”12 He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension. For example, it doesn’t seem possible to feel joy when your child suffers with an incurable illness or when you lose your job or when your spouse betrays you. Yet that is precisely the joy the Savior offers. His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment”13 and be consecrated to our gain.14

How, then, can we claim that joy? We can start by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”15 “in every thought.”16 We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.

Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”17 Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families.

If we focus on the joy that will come to us, or to those we love, what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair, or simply impossible?What will you and I be able to endure as we focus on the joy that is “set before” us?20What repenting will then be possible? What weakness will become a strength?21What chastening will become a blessing?22 What disappointments, even tragedies, will turn to our good?23 And what challenging service to the Lord will we be able to give?24

If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness,27 we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy!28 Joy is a gift for the faithful.29 It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.30

He taught us how to have joy. When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God31 and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy.32 Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy.

Every day that you and I choose to live celestial laws, every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours." (President Nelson, "Joy and Spiritual Survival" October 2016)

When I heard him speak,  I was touched. I don't often view my trials as sources of joy. In reality, I do have struggles and fears just as anyone but I know I am blessed. Right now is an especially happy time in my life because I'm getting married soon. I know that more challenges will come in the future, but I also know that everything will be alright. I testify that in good or bad, sorrow or happiness, Jesus Christ is always there. I know that when we focus on Him in our circumstances we will find more joy, more strength to deal with our circumstances, and peace that can only come to the faithful. (John 14:27) During the time I was a missionary, I taught lots of different people from numerous circumstances. When I saw them focus on the Savior, they received more joy in their lives. The gospel-His teachings-really do work to change hearts and lives. He is the light and life of the world. He is our hope and our salvation. I know that Heavenly Father is His perfect Father. He also blesses us with peace and joy because of His Son. 

These things are true. And what joy that brings our souls the more we understand it is so.

{CTR Always, ETTE}

Please watch this video!!! 

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{Be Still}

Last night in one of my religious classes called Institute, we were talking about why trials happen to such good people. It is difficult to watch people you love in the midst of such difficult things, or even go through them yourself. A few people in the class shared some thoughts and feelings. One of them talked about their sister who is going through a really difficult divorce. 
To be honest, I don't know really know why certain things happen, but a thought struck me as I sat in that wooden desk. Her Savior loves her, and He will help her through it. And whenever sorrow or tragedy comes in my life: I know my Savior loves me and He will help me through it. Whatever you might be enduring now, whatever you'll be called upon to endure, know the same: your Savior Jesus Christ loves you, and He will help you through it. I am so grateful that Christ endured the agony and sorrow of my own life to bless, strengthen, and comfort me through those experiences. I testify He will do that for you; in fact, He already has. 
So if you are seeking help, if you feel weak or weighed down, Pray! Pray like you've never prayed before with all the fervor and energy of your heart. Tell Him how you feel. Ask for the help you need in complete honesty. Heavenly Father will hear you. He will answer you. That answer might come as He removes that burden, or it might come as He and His Son strengthen you through it. "Sometimes he calms the storm, and sometimes He calms the Savior." Either way it will be what you need. Then keep the commandments. Do your best to live your life in harmony with the standards of God. This will help you to avoid some of the trials of life that come because of poor choices. As you do these things, you will feel the love of the Savior and you will find peace, even if the life surrounding you is in chaos. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a apostle, taught, "Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father-who knows when even a sparrow falls-knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants whats best for you. Never doubt this." (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding a Safe Harbor")
Another thought that struck me last night during that discussion was one of the times in my life that I felt so discouraged I wasn't sure what to do. It was near the beginning of my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the missionaries you see with black name tags). We were doing our absolute best to teach people about Christ and His gospel, but it seemed like no one was listening. I had a really powerful personal experience, where God taught me something important I needed to know, and then I found this scripture, now one of my favorites: "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God." (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16) I cried as I read because I knew then as I know now that Heavenly Father is in charge. And, if it's not all right yet, it's not the end. But He will make it so if we are faithful. Another verse I love reads, "But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day." (Alma 26:7)
Please know, whether things are going well in your life, or whether it's falling apart, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. They know your name. They know your heart, your good desires. They know of your suffering. And as Christ promised, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18) Keep holding on and you will see purpose and beauty come from the sorrow, because that's what He does for us.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

{CTR Always, ETTE}

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{Temples: the Sweetest Blessings}

Since I was little, in church I would sing a song about how families can be together forever. I am so grateful for the peace and joy it brings me to truly know that this is Heavenly Father's plan. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we love this doctrine. And when tragedy strikes, we live for it too. All the sorrow and injustice in life will be made right through Jesus Christ. It is because of His sacrifice for us that we can be cleansed, sanctified, and return spotless before Him, worthy to live in our Heavenly Father's presence with those we love most. The Lord has said, "Behold, this is my work and my glory; to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Heavenly Father loves us, and He wants us to be happy. That's why His plan is for us to return to live with Him again, glorified and exalted. And the miracle of the gospel is no matter how lost and alone you feel, "it is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement." (Elder Holland) There are no lost causes. It is not too late. He can change any heart, heal any wound, and even perfect us to holiness if we believe Him. Not just believe IN Him but what His infinite power will do in our lives and hearts and in the lives and hearts of those we love. It really does work, not just on a general level, but in a deeply personal one. These things are so dear to my heart, and this is part of why temples are so sacred to me. 

(Salt Lake Temple)

In True to the Faith we read this explanation, "Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit. Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness. Throughout history, the Lord has commanded his people to build temples. Today the church is heeding the Lord's call to build temples all over the world, making temple blessings more available for a great number of our Heavenly Father's children." In the temple, ordinances are performed. Ordinances are sacred ceremonies where we make promises or covenants with God, to follow Him and be obedient to the commandments. He promises to bless us and promises eternal life in return. (One example of a covenant is baptism: see Mosiah 18:8-10) Ordinances must be performed by those who hold the priesthood-the power and authority to act in God's name for the salvation of mankind. One of the sweetest and most precious parts of the gospel to me is that EVERYONE will have opportunity to accept and follow the Savior in this life or the next. We go to the House of the Lord to receive those ordinances ourselves and then act as proxy for our ancestors who did not have that opportunity in this life. That is what is meant of by that prophecy about the hearts of the children turning to their fathers. (See Malachi 4:5-6) They can choose whether or not to accept that ordinance, and progress accordingly. The Savior Jesus Christ brings salvation to both the living and the dead. (See 1 Peter 4:6) Those who didn't hear these truths can! It is not too late for those who have died without the gospel.
One of the crowning ordinances of the temple is eternal marriage. Husbands and wives can be married for time-this life-and eternity, so that even death will not separate them if they are faithful to the covenants, or promises, that they make. Children borne to them will also reap the blessings of an eternal family. Even when death separates them, they have the Lord's promise they will be together again, forever. This doctrine was especially comforting to me when my little brother, who is special needs, has been near death. I love him so much, and the prospect of losing him broke my heart, but I also knew that our family would be alright. We would see him again. Another time this blessed me was around the time of my great grandma's funeral and since. I love and miss her, but I know we will still have that relationship in the next life also. 
All of these things witness over and over to me of Heavenly Father's deep and abiding love for each of His children, which include all of us. I am a child of God and so are you. He made this perfect plan, sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, and gives us all guidance and blessings we need to return to Him again. That is beautiful. I am so grateful to know I can be with my family forever. I am so grateful for a Savior that helps me, those I love, and all who have lived and will yet live receive these blessings and great joy. I testify these things are true, and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

{CTR Always, ETTE}

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