Category: Joy

Joy, December 20

“…O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.” And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come…

Mosiah 4:3-4

When I was very young, I remember putting this exact scripture to the test. I had done something wrong and I had confessed and tried to make things right. Then I prayed in my room and asked if I might feel this kind of joy, too. And I did.

I didn’t understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ very well back then, but I surely felt its effects. I think we’re all immature in our understanding of the Atonement of Christ, but we aren’t asked to comprehend it, but to have faith in it. This is the path to joy.

Happy 17th to our awesome Timothy!

Joy, December 18

And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me.

D&C 18:13-16

I am not aware of a single person who has come unto God because of something I taught. But I like this scripture passage because it reminds me it’s not about the tally. It’s about the value God places on each child. When we are talking about souls, we are talking about infinitely valuable children of God. There is no adding infinity plus infinity. So one soul or a hundred souls, it’s still infinitely valuable work.

I like to picture what the joy of our Father in Heaven looks like because one of his children chose to come to Him. It might look a little like those parents at the airport welcoming their children home from missions. I weep when I see that kind of joy. I believe our abundant and generous Heavenly Father’s joy is contagious. It will be a joyful, joyful reunion someday.

Joy, December 17

And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.

1 Nephi 13:37

One day on Instagram, I decided to “follow” each living Apostle. What a satisfying exercise! President Russell M Nelson: Follow; President Dallin H. Oaks: Follow….Elder Jeffrey R Holland: Follow…

In a world full of people publishing things, I have learned that reading blogs, social media, commentaries, and listening to podcasts are of much less value than studying the gospel of peace from the scriptures and living prophets. The words of the prophets have sometimes been hard for me to take, but as I follow their direction, I have found joy where I didn’t expect it. I have learned that I can’t always trust my feelings or first thoughts about what they teach, but I have come to know that I can trust that God works through them.

Joy, December 16

…a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people…

Alma 48:11-12

My neighbors showed their “souls’ joy” in their brethren being free “from bondage and slavery” by giving to local refugees this week for Tim’s Eagle service project. It was an overwhelming experience to witness so much generosity.

Joy, December 15

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalms 30:5

Again and again, the scriptures link repentance to joy. Here is another beautiful example.

I also like this scripture because everything seems to look better in the morning. When I am burdened and sad at night, I try to remind myself that after some rest, I will be able to see solutions more clearly.

I read a book this year about the science behind sleep. There is real, restorative work that happens in our brains as we sleep. What a blessing from God.

Joy, December 14

Behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Alma 26:11-12

I like these words of Ammon, “In his strength I can do all things.” This phrase is actually an echo of the words of Ammon’s convert, Lamoni. In Alma 20:4, Lamoni tells Ammon, “I know, in the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things.”

We think we go about doing good, but really, it is the Lord working in us, and we come off as beneficiaries. Sometimes the Lord blesses us through the people we serve. In this case, Ammon’s friend Lamoni gave him a phrase full of truth that Ammon remembered years later as he reflected on his missionary work.

Today I praise God for the strength to face difficult things alongside my friends. I rejoice in the things I have learned about myself, what’s important in life, and the power of God.

Joy, December 13

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100

The phrase I love is, “It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.”

I look at this little video of our children and reflect how their qualities have matured over the years. I see they carry, and are developing, many qualities that can only be traced to heavenly parents.

Joy, December 12

Blessed art thou…therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God…

Alma 8:15

I like this scripture because these words are given at a time when Alma was weighed down with sorrow and cast out for teaching the gospel. The Lord says something similar to Lehi, “Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.” (1 Nephi 2:1)

This is the Lord’s direction for his righteous, imperfect children: rejoice. As our counselor and comforter, our Prince of Peace, he can help us rejoice even though there are empty places at church or at the table. The fact we are sad for others is a sign our hearts might be closer to the Lord than we know. And as for those we think we have failed to help, I know the Lord has things covered. He knows their needs and will give them the right number of opportunities to choose Him.

Joy, December 11

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.”

Psalms 63:1-5

Nothing captures my ideal prayer more than this Psalm, and yet, I find my lists of needs and names dominate my prayers more than my gratitude and longing for God. How would a prayer like this change me? Perhaps it would make me less selfish. Perhaps it would help me trust Him more.