{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!!!