The joy of the saints

Those who open their minds and dig a little deeper can discover that, irrespective of their circumstances, the joy of the saints can be theirs.

I know we visited Conference just two weeks ago, but I felt we should return at least once more before the year was out, and this was the only program in which we could do so.  Very soon we’ll be turning our attention to what I call the Holy Trinity of Holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

And so today I turn to Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s address entitled “The Joy of the Saints.”  Yes, I know some of you think the Saturday morning session must have been my favorite, because I keep selecting addresses from that session whenever I discuss Conference.  That session really was something, but there’s a more obvious reason for selecting this talk.  Elder Christofferson talked about joy.  I mean, is there any more fitting topic for a Joy in the Journey Radio program than joy?

And there’s lot’s to enjoy (pun intended) in Elder Christofferson’s remarks.  Although he didn’t address singles specifically, there’s lots there for LDS singles.  Those who open their minds and dig a little deeper can discover that, irrespective of their circumstances, the joy of the saints can be theirs.

Joy in keeping the commandments

Elder Christofferson begins by recounting the experience of Enos in the Book of Mormon who remembered his father speaking often about “the joy of the saints” (Enos 1:3).  He then quotes from another Conference talk on joy, this one given by President Russell M. Nelson.

That address, entitled “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” is absolutely classic and necessary reading for all LDS singles.  There we find from Eliza R. Snow this gem of a quote : “None but saints can be happy under every circumstance.”  I love that we can have joy regardless of our circumstances, but I also love how timeless that principle is.  It’s true today because it’s always been true.

Elder Christofferson reaffirms that truth in a new light: “‘The joy of the saints’ denotes the joy of becoming Christlike.”  He further taught

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The wicked may “have joy in their works for a season,” but it is always temporary. The joy of the Saints is enduring.

God sees things in their true perspective, and He shares that perspective with us through His commandments, effectively guiding us around the pitfalls and potholes of mortality toward eternal joy. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: “When His commandments teach us, it is in view of eternity; for we are looked upon by God as though we were in eternity; God dwells in eternity, and does not view things as we do.”

I haven’t met anyone who found the gospel later in life who didn’t wish it could have been earlier. “Oh, the poor choices and mistakes I could have avoided,” they will say. The Lord’s commandments are our guide to better choices and happier outcomes. How we ought to rejoice and thank Him for showing us this more excellent way.

Indeed, keeping the commandments brings true joy in life, an experience the wicked will never know until they repent and keep the commandments themselves.

Joy in overcoming sorrow and weakness

Of course, trials and troubles come to everyone in life, not just the wicked.  Keeping the commandments will not prevent storms in life.  But it will provide added strength to weather those storms and near us to He Who still controls the wind and the waves.

Elder Christofferson points us to Him by quoting His words: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Christ gives us the power to overcome the storms of life, resulting once more in joy only the faithful will know.

I love the illustrative example Elder Christofferson shares.  He tells of Jack Rushton, a stake president in California.  In 1989,  a tragic surfing accident left Brother Rushton paralyzed from the neck down.  Not only had he lost control of his limbs, but he could no longer speak or breathe on his own.

Elder Christofferson continues,

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Family, friends, and stake members rallied around Brother Rushton and his wife, Jo Anne, and, among other things, remodeled a section of their home to accommodate Jack’s wheelchair. Jo Anne became Jack’s principal caregiver for the next 23 years. Referring to Book of Mormon accounts of how the Lord visited His people in their afflictions and made their burdens light, Jo Anne said, “I am often amazed at the lightness of heart I feel in caring for my husband.”

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.”

Think of that.  Here’s a paraplegic, someone whose situation is far worse than mine and probably yours as well.  Yet he felt joy in His life by surrendering to the Lord, Who then helped this good brother overcome his misery.  Elder Christofferson shares examples of how that works.

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In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were “in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery.” 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”; the joy of feeling one’s soul expand and grow through the grace of Christ.

Joy in serving as He served

No matter our circumstances, we can come to the Savior Who can give us “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3).  The challenges of LDS singles life certainly include the ashes left behind from dreams set aflame, mourning for treasured relationships which died or were never even born, and heaviness from the lonely walk through life without a partner.

Yet Christ overcame all things.  This is why we can have joy regardless of our circumstances.  Circumstances may bring happiness, but joy comes only from Christ, because Christ is joy.

President Nelson said as much in that classic Conference address all LDS singles should read.  Elder Christofferson quotes those passages in his own address.  He then shared these salient ideas:

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The fruits of our service to one another in the Church are part of the joy “set before us.” Even in times of discouragement or stress, we can minister patiently if we are focused on the joy of pleasing God and bringing light, relief, and happiness to His children, our brothers and sisters.

When in Haiti last month for the dedication of the Port-au-Prince Temple, Elder David and Sister Susan Bednar met with a young sister whose husband had been killed a few days earlier in a tragic accident. They wept together with her. Yet on Sunday this dear woman was in her place as an usher at the dedication services, with a soft, welcoming smile for all who entered the temple.

This is precisely why I keep talking about a personal ministry.  A personal ministry helps LDS singles focus on bringing goodness into the world and experiencing joy from blessing the lives of others.

Your singleness need not keep you from the joy you were meant to have now.  Keep the Lord’s commandments, overcome sorrow and weakness by coming to Christ, and serve as He served through your personal ministry.  When you do, you can experience the joy of the saints for yourself.  And that will bring you more joy in your journey.

You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode.