Joy Comes From Him

Without formally researching it, I’m fairly confident that the most quoted talk in general conference by President Nelson is one he gave as president of the twelve: Joy and Spiritual Survival. In general conference this month it was referenced four additional times (three directly and once in a footnote). Talking about an opportunity to serve with the young men, Elder Michael Cziesla said, “Serving this wonderful group of young men, I quickly learned that the joy that comes from being a disciple of Christ has very little to do with the size of Church meetings or the scale of programs.” He continued, “So when I married my beautiful wife, Margret, we joyfully decided to stay in Europe and raise our family in our home country of Germany. Together we witnessed what President Russell M. Nelson taught many years ago: ‘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 life is on Christ and His gospel message, we can experience the full blessings of discipleship wherever we live.” Elder Matthew Holland spoke of feeling God’s covenantal love and tender mercies for us in times of trouble and said, “Early and intense anguish may cloud that vision at first. But as you continue to ‘pay that that [you] have vowed,’ such a vision will shine brighter and brighter in your soul. And with that vision you will not only find hope and healing, but, astonishingly, you will find joy, even in the midst of your crucible. President Russell M. Nelson taught us so very well: ‘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.’” And Elder Ronald M. Barcellos suggested that we can assess our heart with spiritual tests, the first of which is “our focus, priorities, and motives.” He included a footnote quoting President Nelson: “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” Clearly this message about finding joy despite our circumstances is one that the Lord wants us to understand.

               The fourth speaker who referenced this talk by President Nelson was Elder Carlos Godoy. Speaking of the Saints in Africa, Elder Godoy remarked, “They always approach it with a positive attitude. They embody well the well-known teaching from President Russell M. Nelson: ‘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.’ They find joy despite their challenges.” Elder Godoy then shared stories illustrating this principle from five different countries in south eastern Africa where he has been serving. I was impressed in particular by this description of the poverty of Saints in Mozambique: “After the Saturday evening session of stake conference, on my way to the hotel, I noticed people buying food along the road late at night. I asked my driver why they were doing it when it was so dark rather than during the day. He responded that they were working during the day to have the money to do it later. ‘Oh, they were working today to eat tomorrow,’ I said. But he corrected me: ‘No, they were working during the day to eat tonight.’ I had hoped our members might be in a better situation, but he confirmed that many faced similar challenges in that part of the country. The next morning, during our Sunday session and newly aware of their circumstances, I was even more moved by their smiling faces and grateful hearts.” These Saints, despite their extreme poverty compared to what most of us have in the United States, are still happy and filled with joy.

             Elder Godoy also spoke of those in Malawi, saying, “One Sunday before a stake conference, I visited two branches using public schools as meetinghouses. I was shocked by the humble and modest conditions of the buildings, which lacked even some basic amenities. As I met a few members there, I was ready to apologize for the inadequate conditions of their meetinghouse, but they were happy to have a nearby place to gather, avoiding the usual long walk. Again, there were no complaints—only smiling faces and grateful hearts.” These Saints are grateful just to have a place to meet even though the building lacked what we would consider essential to be suitable for people. They find joy despite their circumstances because they are focused on the Savior, not their own comfort. Surely there is a lot that those of us in more favorable economic circumstances could learn from these joyful African Saints. Elder Godoy finished his talk with this well-known invitation from the Savior: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). He then testified, “Just like those Saints in Africa, I know this promise is true. It is true there, and it’s true everywhere.” As we focus on coming unto the Savior, no matter what situation we are in, we can find the rest and lightened burdens that we seek. Surely the repeated reference to President Nelson’s words is a sign that in the coming days we will need to understand this principle: joy comes from our focus on the Savior and not the circumstances of our lives.