Talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, October 2019
Lesson by Barb Hoffman
Joy is a condition of GREAT happiness coming from righteous living. The purpose of mortal life is for us to find and know joy. What brings you joy?
Saints are those who have entered into the gospel covenant through baptism and are striving to follow Christ as His disciples. Sometimes we are not entirely comfortable with the word saint referring to us as individuals, but with this definition Sisters—we truly are saints! Thus, “the joy of the saints” denotes the joy of becoming Christlike.
President Nelson said: “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…for Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!”
Elder Christofferson taught of finding joy in the following ways:
THE JOY OF KEEPING CHRIST’S COMMANDMENTS
Law of Chastity
Standards of Honesty
Holiness of the Sabbath
The Savior said: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”
THE JOY OF OVERCOMING THROUGH CHRIST
The Savior will help us through our trials and tragedies that may interrupt our joy if we turn to Him and align our will with His and that of our Heavenly Father.
THE JOY OF SERVING AS CHRIST SERVES
The fruits of our service to one another in the Church are part of the joy set before us. Even in times of discouragement or stress, we can minister patiently if we are focused on the joy of pleasing God and bringing light, relief and happiness to His children, our brothers and sisters.
I believe that the ultimate “joy of the saints” comes in knowing that the Savior pleads their cause, and no one can conceive of the joy which will fill our souls as we hear Jesus pray for us unto the Father. With President Nelson, I testify that joy is a gift for faithful Saints “who have endured the crosses of the world and who are intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ”.
Invitation: Study Enos’ experience and ponder the question “What brings you joy?”
And remember sisters….YOU ARE SAINTS!
