July 2017
Dear Sisters,
Do you ever ask the question "why is life so hard sometimes?" I have been struggling with this a lot lately and have been wondering where is the joy and happiness we are supposed to be feeling? In hopes of finding some answers, I have been reading past conference talks and would like to pass on what I have found.
In the last conference Elder Holland referred to the hymn "There is sunshine in my soul today." He says, "I wish to lift out of context just one line from it that may help on days when we find it hard to sing or smile and 'peaceful happy moments' do not seem to 'roll.' Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested." Then in one line Elder Holland gave us something to remember, he says, "I ask you to hold tenaciously to the line in this hymn that reassures, 'Jesus listening can hear the songs [you] cannot sing.'" What a great reminder that our older Brother, Jesus Christ, knows us and knows exactly what we are going through. We are never alone.
President Nelson addressed this subject last October in his talk "Joy and Spiritual Survival." He also reminds us that "These are the latter days, so none of us should be surprised when we see prophecy fulfilled. A host of prophets . . . saw that perilous times would come." But, he tells us, "When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives."
In hopes of shaking off my negative feelings I have been repeating in my mind the scripture "Men are that they might have joy." Then when I read President Nelson's talk he pointed out the circumstances of that scripture and it surprised me. This principle was taught by Lehi. Lehi - who had been persecuted and his life threatened by his neighbors, who had been commanded by the Lord to leave his home and everything he owned and live in the wilderness, who lived in a tent and survived on whatever food could be found along the way to somewhere he didn't know, who watched two of his sons rebel against the teachings of the Lord and attack and threaten to kill their two other brothers. President Nelson tells us, "Clearly, Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow. Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: 'Men are, that they might have joy.'"
So, how did Lehi feel joy with all that he dealt with? President Nelson gives us the answer, "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 we focus our lives on God's plan of salvation and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy." He tells us that "Christ is the source of all joy . . . Christ offers peace . . . Christ assures us that our 'afflictions shall be but a small moment' and be consecrated to our gain." Then he tells us that we can claim that joy by "giving thanks for [Jesus Christ] in our prayers and by keeping covenants we have made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us . . . our joy will increase."
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who has given us great leaders who teach us what we need to know to be happy. I encourage you all to read and study these two talks. I know that there is a much bigger picture than just today in Heavenly Father's "Plan of Salvation." I just needed to be reminded. How I feel my Heavenly Father and Savior's love for me when our leaders are inspired to say the things I need to hear.
love,
Sister Dana Call, Stake RS Secretary
Here are some scriptures to go along with your study of this subject:
Psalms 16:8, 11
Psalms 30:5
Isaiah 35:10
Matt 25:21
Mark 10:27
John 14:27
John 15:9-11
2 Nephi 8:3, 11
2 Nephi 9:18
Mosiah 2:41
3 Nephi 17:17-18
D&C 3:36
D&C 11:13
D&C 18:13
D&C 51:19
D&C 121:7
D&C 122:7
D&C 138:15-17
Dear Sisters,
Do you ever ask the question "why is life so hard sometimes?" I have been struggling with this a lot lately and have been wondering where is the joy and happiness we are supposed to be feeling? In hopes of finding some answers, I have been reading past conference talks and would like to pass on what I have found.
In the last conference Elder Holland referred to the hymn "There is sunshine in my soul today." He says, "I wish to lift out of context just one line from it that may help on days when we find it hard to sing or smile and 'peaceful happy moments' do not seem to 'roll.' Among the realities we face as children of God living in a fallen world is that some days are difficult, days when our faith and our fortitude are tested." Then in one line Elder Holland gave us something to remember, he says, "I ask you to hold tenaciously to the line in this hymn that reassures, 'Jesus listening can hear the songs [you] cannot sing.'" What a great reminder that our older Brother, Jesus Christ, knows us and knows exactly what we are going through. We are never alone.
President Nelson addressed this subject last October in his talk "Joy and Spiritual Survival." He also reminds us that "These are the latter days, so none of us should be surprised when we see prophecy fulfilled. A host of prophets . . . saw that perilous times would come." But, he tells us, "When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives."
In hopes of shaking off my negative feelings I have been repeating in my mind the scripture "Men are that they might have joy." Then when I read President Nelson's talk he pointed out the circumstances of that scripture and it surprised me. This principle was taught by Lehi. Lehi - who had been persecuted and his life threatened by his neighbors, who had been commanded by the Lord to leave his home and everything he owned and live in the wilderness, who lived in a tent and survived on whatever food could be found along the way to somewhere he didn't know, who watched two of his sons rebel against the teachings of the Lord and attack and threaten to kill their two other brothers. President Nelson tells us, "Clearly, Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow. Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: 'Men are, that they might have joy.'"
So, how did Lehi feel joy with all that he dealt with? President Nelson gives us the answer, "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 we focus our lives on God's plan of salvation and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy." He tells us that "Christ is the source of all joy . . . Christ offers peace . . . Christ assures us that our 'afflictions shall be but a small moment' and be consecrated to our gain." Then he tells us that we can claim that joy by "giving thanks for [Jesus Christ] in our prayers and by keeping covenants we have made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us . . . our joy will increase."
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who has given us great leaders who teach us what we need to know to be happy. I encourage you all to read and study these two talks. I know that there is a much bigger picture than just today in Heavenly Father's "Plan of Salvation." I just needed to be reminded. How I feel my Heavenly Father and Savior's love for me when our leaders are inspired to say the things I need to hear.
love,
Sister Dana Call, Stake RS Secretary
Here are some scriptures to go along with your study of this subject:
Psalms 16:8, 11
Psalms 30:5
Isaiah 35:10
Matt 25:21
Mark 10:27
John 14:27
John 15:9-11
2 Nephi 8:3, 11
2 Nephi 9:18
Mosiah 2:41
3 Nephi 17:17-18
D&C 3:36
D&C 11:13
D&C 18:13
D&C 51:19
D&C 121:7
D&C 122:7
D&C 138:15-17
