Finding Strength through Joy

Several weeks ago, it was suggested that I read Elder Russell M. Nelson’s October 2016 conference talk, Joy and Spiritual Survival. Tonight, I finally did. Early in the talk, Elder Nelson mentions The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi, and the trials and tribulations he faced, including persecution in Jerusalem, being commanded by the Lord to “flee with his family into the wilderness,” and suffering caused by the rebellion of his sons, Laman and Lemuel. “Yet,” Elder Nelson states, “he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: ‘Men are, that they might have joy’” (2 Nehpi 2:25).

“Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind,” Elder Nelson continues, “Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us.” He goes on to ask, given all of the hardships and challenges we endure in this life, we can possibly be expected to have joy? Joy, he explains, “has little to do with the circumstances of our lives, and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” To find joy, our focus must be on Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation and on Jesus Christ and His gospel. “Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy,” Elder Nelson declares.

He then mentions Philippians 4:7, which lists the ways in which the Savior offers joy to us. As we keep our “hearts and minds” on the Savior, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” will always be with us (Philippians 4:7). We are told to “think on” things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and have virtue, and are promised that as we do the things that Christ taught and behave as he behaved, “the God of peace shall be with [us]” (Philippians 4:8-9).

Speaking to his son, Jacob, the Prophet Lehi taught that, as he strove to draw closer to He and the Savior, God “shall consecrate thine afflictions for they gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). Elder Nelson mentions that this concept was further expressed in the words of comfort provided by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, after he pleaded with Him to end the suffering of the early Saints. “If thou endure it well,” Joseph is promised, “God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:8).

“How, then, can we claim that joy?” Elder Nelson asks. The first step, according to Elder Nelson, can be found in Doctrine & Covenants 6:36. “Look unto me in every thought,” the Savior proclaimed, concluding by commanding that we “doubt not, fear not.” We should pray with gratitude in our hearts for the Savior’s sacrifice and struggle; for the Atonement, and for the love Heavenly Father provided us through His only begotten. The Savior, Elder Nelson explained, must “become…real to us.” We must feel His presence and love, and provide others with it. Through prayer, “as we plead for His joy…our joy will increase.”

            As we face difficulties and afflictions arise, “If we focus on the joy that will come to us…what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair, or simply impossible?” Elder Nelson asks. It’s interesting how humans are predisposed to focus on the negative and assume the worst. We are such a negative species. Through a focus on the Savior, however, and on the joy and blessings of renewal and repentance through His Atonement, we can receive the greatest joy ever known to man, and can endure whatever trials might come out way.