Continuing Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s general conference talk of October 2019 (for first part see ‘For the Joy of the Saints’)
“. . . . An alteration to his respiration system restored Jack’s ability to speak, and within the year, Jack was called as Gospel Doctrine teacher and stake patriarch. When he would give a patriarchal blessing, another priesthood holder placed Brother Rushton’s hand on the head of the person receiving the blessing and supported his hand and arm during the blessing. Jack passed away on Christmas Day 2012, after 22 years of devoted service.
Once in an interview, Jack observed: “Problems will come into all of our lives; it’s part of just being here upon this earth. And some people think that religion or having faith in God will protect you from bad things. I don’t think that’s the point. I think the point is that if our faith is strong, that when bad things happen, which they will, we’ll be able to deal with them. … My faith never wavered, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t have depressions. I think for the first time in my life, I was pushed to the limit, and literally there was nowhere to turn, and so I turned to the Lord, and to this day, I feel a spontaneity of joy.”18
This is a day of sometimes merciless attacks in social media and in person against those who seek to uphold the Lord’s standard in dress, entertainment, and sexual purity. It is often the youth and young adults among the Saints, as well as women and mothers, who bear this cross of mocking and persecution. It is not easy to rise above such abuse, but remember the words of Peter: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”19
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were “in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery.”20 Now, as accountable beings, we find joy in overcoming misery in whatever form, whether it be sin, trial, weakness, or any other obstacle to happiness. This is the joy of sensing progress in the path of discipleship; the joy of “having received a remission of … sins, and having peace of conscience”;21 the joy of feeling one’s soul expand and grow through the grace of Christ.22
The Joy of Serving as Christ Serves
The Savior finds joy in bringing to pass our immortality and eternal life.23 In speaking of the Savior’s Atonement, President Russell M. Nelson said:
“As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross’ [Hebrews 12:2]. 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.”24
Similarly, the joy “set before us” is the joy of assisting the Savior in His work of redemption. As the seed and children of Abraham,25 we participate in blessing all the families of the earth “with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.”26
The words of Alma come to mind:
“This is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. “And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy. … “But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi. … “Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.”27
. . . . I believe that the ultimate “joy of the saints” comes in knowing that the Savior pleads their cause,28 “and no one can conceive of the joy which [will fill] our souls [as] we [hear Jesus] pray for us unto the Father.”29 With President Russell M. Nelson, I testify that joy is a gift for faithful Saints “who have endured the crosses of the world”30 and who are “intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.”31 May your joy be full, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ~Elder D. Todd Christofferson, ‘The Joy of the Saints,’ Ensign, October 2019 p.15
