Joy and Spiritual Survival

Psalms 16:8,11

 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Joy and Spiritual Survival

By President Russell M. Nelson

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

October 2016

"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 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. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"

"Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding,”12 He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension. For example, it doesn’t seem possible to feel joy when your child suffers with an incurable illness or when you lose your job or when your spouse betrays you. Yet that is precisely the joy the Savior offers. His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment”13 and be consecrated to our gain.14"

"How, then, can we claim that joy? We can start by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”15 “in every thought.”16 We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase."

"Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”17Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!"

2 Nephi 2:25

Adam fell that men might be; 

and men are, 

that they might have joy.

Isaiah 35:10

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, 

and come to Zion 

with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: 

they shall obtain joy and gladness, 

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.