Native Cheery Temperament

 

To my son,

                In Joseph Smith’s history that he wrote in 1838, and which we have now in the Pearl of Great Price, he referred to his “native cheery temperament” (JSH 1:28). I think what he was saying was that as a boy he was naturally happy and cheerful. He enjoyed people and being with them and was usually enjoying life. As I pondered that phrase today I thought of you—you are also one with a “native cheery temperament” and that is one thing that I love about you. I hope that you will always strive to keep that happy, optimistic attitude that you have. Did you know that it is actually a commandment of the Lord to “be of good cheer”? (John 16:33) The Lord gave this counsel to his apostles on a very difficult night right before He was to atone for the sins of the world. He warned them that they would have “tribulation,” meaning that they would have serious difficulties and challenges to face as apostles, but they could trust in Him because He had overcome them all. When you are tempted to feel discouraged and frustrated, remember that He wants you to be of good cheer and to remember Him always.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were in Liberty Jail, suffering immensely in a freezing prison while their families were being driven from the state of Missouri, He struggled to remain in good cheer and cried out to the Lord, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” The Lord responded to Him, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” The Savior reminded Him that He had “descended below” all things and that whatever he was struggles was to give him “experience” and would ultimately be “for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1,6-7; 122:7-8). Whatever struggles you face, try to continue to be of good cheer and remember that the Savior already experience all of your pains. Lehi taught that “men are that they might have joy”—one of our purposes on this earth is to be happy, and I know that you can find great joy in your life as you seek to follow the Savior in all that you do.

 

Love, 

Dad