A Joyful Heart ~ Part Three

     Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in June 2004, and it is called "A Joyful Heart" by Elder Dale E. Miller. This post is part three and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Miller has mentioned the following; 

"Peace and joy come from pondering scripture. You can sense the joy that prophets describe within themselves. It is a marvelous thing to contemplate the joys coming to Joseph Smith as revelation after revelation poured upon him from heaven. What joy he expressed in receiving visits from the Savior and the great prophets of old! 

Just one example in his life can give you a flavor: Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. ... We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation. [JS—H 1:73; emphasis added]

... There is a great spiritual enrichment in pondering scripture not just reading nor just studying but truly pondering. When you get it fixed right in your minds, your hearts begin to open up to feelings that bring lasting joy. Pondering scripture also stores up great knowledge useful throughout life in solving the everyday problems that vex you.

It helps keep a pure conduit to heaven, allowing joy to replace indecision and lack of direction. Pondering scripture is a discipline to learn early in life and insist on maintaining throughout. Now let’s talk about love. It seems like such a short time ago that Laurel and I were sitting in your seats listening to similar speakers. 

We were engaged to be married and very much in love. Over the years we have learned much more about love. We have learned that “being in love” is a wonderfully blissful state. But eternal companionship is much more. The term being in love uses the word love as a noun, a state of being. 

"Stay joyful."

The other meaning of love is in its condition as an action verb. To love and be loved transcends “being” in love. ... Although you may feel love toward the Savior, feeling love is not enough. You must demonstrate your love in a contractual way. 

It is the giving of that love that brings true and lasting joy. The same is true in marriage. Paul’s counsel to the Saints in Ephesians underscores this principle: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ... Loving others means helping them to become better. Lasting joy comes from combining the “being in love” with a loving behavior. 

In the words of C. S. Lewis: Love as distinct from “being in love” is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both parents ask, and receive, from God. 

... “Being in love” first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it. [C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Macmillan, 1952) 99; emphasis added]

Love is both a noun and a verb in the celestial kingdom. ... Let us return now to our earlier statement: “Certainly the power of the Atonement, coupled with our true and full conversion, is the greatest ingredient in finding joy.” Our baptism does not necessarily indicate conversion. Having a testimony does not necessarily indicate conversion. 

I quote from President Marion G. Romney’s general conference talk given October 4, 1963: As used in the scriptures, “converted” generally implies not merely mental acceptance of Jesus and his teachings but also a motivating faith in him and in his gospel - a faith which works a transformation, an actual change in one’s understanding of life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God - in interest, in thought, and in conduct. 

While conversion may be accomplished in stages, one is not really converted in the full sense of the term unless and until he is at heart a new person. “Born again” is the scriptural term. [CR, October 1963, 23; emphasis in original]

... President Romney continued: Conversion ... is the fruit of, or the reward for, repentance and obedience. ... His spirit is healed. ... Sometimes there is also a healing of the nervous system or of the mind. But always the remittance of sins which attends divine forgiveness heals the spirit. 

... “And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and ... they shall be converted, and I will heal them.” (D&C 112:12–13. [Emphasis] added.) ... Somebody recently asked how one could know when he is converted. 

The answer is simple. He may be assured of it when by the power of the Holy Spirit his soul is healed. When this occurs, he will recognize it by the way he feels, for he will feel as the people of Benjamin felt when they received [a] remission of sins. 

The record says, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience.” (Mosiah 4:3.) [CR, October 1963, 24–25]

President Romney concluded by saying: Getting people’s spirits healed through conversion is the only way they can be healed. I know this is an unpopular doctrine and a slow way to solve the problems of men and nations. ..."[CR, October 1963, 26]

... True and full conversion is the only way to bring complete peace and healing to the soul. ... Laurel and I find great joy in the great goodness of God. He is merciful. He stands ready to heal you when you need healing. He offers peace of soul through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Truly joy and happiness are the objects of our existence. May you capture the pathway to that happiness, becoming “as a river” in your constancy of pursuit. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional, here is the link below. 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dale-e-miller/joyful-heart/

Stay Tuned until next time. 

A Joyful Heart ~ Part Two

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in June 2004, and it is called "A Joyful Heart" by Elder Dale E. Miller. This post is part two and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Miller has mentioned the following; "Allow me to mention other patterns in your lives to build joy. These patterns have greatly helped Laurel and me in our journey through life together. You always have to keep humor as a significant part of your lives. We often reflect on humorous moments. 

... Home movies attest to the joyful times, particularly during family gatherings. These moments we treasure; they lift us when we are apart. We encourage you to keep humor and the memories of good times as a part of dealing with the everyday vicissitudes of life.

One caution: Don’t ever use humor at the expense of someone else! ... You may not know that there is occasional humor mixed into our work at Church headquarters. The General Authorities and officers are typically happy, optimistic people. Humor shows up at times in unexpected ways.

... Let me recommend another ingredient of joy. I was fortunate to marry a girl with music in her soul. As she sits at the piano playing the classics and hymns, it brings a great sense of peace and enjoyment. Incidentally, she could step up to this pulpit and sing almost every popular song written in our time excluding grunge, hip-hop, and rap, of course! 

To keep our relationship harmonious, I won’t ask her to receive your requests now. Each of our children and now our grandchildren has learned to play musical instruments. Our experience leads us to recommend that you steer your children away from learning to play drums. Let them take that up when they move into their own homes!

... I have come to recognize much later in life the importance of bringing into my soul the melodies and words of our hymns and other uplifting music. Now as I sing sacrament hymns, they become my words, my prayers, and my thanksgivings.

We possess particular hymns especially written to bring peace and healing to our souls. Let’s listen for a moment as the Tabernacle Choir sings to lift our souls. ... Uplifting music is designed to bring peace into our lives. Another lesson about happiness occurred while I was serving as a mission president in Venezuela. 

"If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal
any moment." - Carlos Santana.

The assistants came into my office one day and said, “ President, there are two types of missionaries in our mission: those who use most of their week preparing for PDay and those who use their P-Day to plan their week.” 

There is a message here. You returned missionaries know what I am talking about. We notice a great difference in those who come into the mission prepared to work hard because they have had earlier experiences of working hard. They gain satisfaction in life from accomplishing worthwhile goals.

President David O. Mc Kay commented on the importance of work in bringing happiness: One source of happiness springs from the realization of having accomplished something worthwhile. ... The accomplishing of a fixed determination in the quest for truth and nobility of soul always produces happiness. [Pathways, 107]

That is why effective missionaries do not want to leave their missions and always look back on mission life with satisfaction. When you look back from the other side of the veil, will you feel likewise? ... Has it occurred to you that sincere and heartfelt prayer brings discovery, and discovery brings joy?

Of all the challenging times in our lives, I think Laurel would agree with me that our three-year mission in Venezuela would count high on the list. We had our young family with us. Their happiness and well-being were an ever-important issue balanced with the everyday challenges of the missionaries, culture, language, illness, crime, political turmoil, and so forth.

I remember so well a particular day on the island country of Trinidad and Tobago. We were trying to gain official recognition for the Church. After many failed attempts I remember falling to my knees in my hotel room in the capital city, Port of Spain. I poured out my heart to God, saying, “Heavenly Father, I can’t do this alone! The obstacles are too great.”

... A voice came to my mind saying, “Be patient. I will open the pathway to establish my Church here.” The Spirit spoke to my mind, bringing great peace and consolation to my heart. Prayer indeed brings peace, healing, and a sense of joy.

Please consider prayer as an active and open channel to a loving and listening Heavenly Father. It helps at times to have the image of His countenance before you, the Savior at His side advocating on your behalf. He does listen. ... He always listens to the prayers of your heart."

Stay Tuned until next time. 

A Joyful Heart ~ Part One

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in June 2004, and it is called "A Joyful Heart" by Elder Dale E. Miller. This post is part one and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Miller has mentioned the following; "What I will say to you today will only have meaning as you make room in your heart for the Spirit. You surely have many things on your mind as you come to this devotional. ... You probably will not remember much of what was said. As the Spirit prompts you with a feeling or thought to attach to your life, please don’t let it pass you by.

Our message today is simple: God wants you to find and keep joy in this world and in the world to come. You have been specially endowed with a celestial nature that is to grow into a fullness of joy. That thought can get lost too easily in today’s world.

These are turbulent times. ... The kingdom of God on earth and the kingdom of the adversary are on a collision course of great proportions. ... However, God has a work for you to do! Within that work and because of it - you are promised great joy.

You are principle players in this great contest between good and evil. How we pray for you that you will be heavily armed with the standard of truth and righteousness! ... You pray more; you study the scriptures more; you are more obedient to the commandments of God. You have a great destiny ahead of you. 

Although this will become more important to you as life moves on, how great the need is now to develop yourself into the peaceable followers of Christ. How much this world, your future family, and the people around you need the strength of your righteous influence and your joyful countenance.

So let’s discuss today how to obtain lasting joy in your life.

On June 24 of this year, Laurel and I will have been married for 44 years. ... We share our experiences with you, hoping that you will think on these experiences and, where appropriate, apply them to yourselves. From our experience, developing joy brings emotional rewards of inner peace and the healing of pains that often can beset you. 

"A joyful heart is like the sunshine of God's love,
the hope of eternal happiness." - Mother Teresa. 

Let’s see if we can understand how this works doctrinally. 

Undergirding the gospel of Jesus Christ is the concept of eternal and permanent happiness. 

Joseph Smith stated the doctrine in very few words: Happiness is the object and design of our existence; ... and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. [Teachings, 255–56]

... The Book of Mormon contains more than 150 references to joy. To quote an early reference in the Book of Mormon: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). 

I am indebted to Elder Bruce Hafen for a thought he left us in the last general conference: So if you have problems in your life, don’t assume there is something wrong with you. Struggling with those problems is at the very core of life’s purpose. 

... If you’re seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might mean you’re moving nearer to God, not farther away. [Bruce C. Hafen, “The Atonement: All for All,” Ensign, May 2004, 97] There is great peace of mind in that thought. Trials and tribulations are part of the formula for getting us back to God. 

In this mortal life He does work within you, moving you into position to face and overcome your personal challenges. ... You are to grow your happiness here in mortality, primarily by being nurtured and enlightened by the good word of God. This doctrine lays out a pathway toward happiness markedly different from that of the world.

President David O. McKay clarifies a significant difference between our doctrine of happiness and that of the world: It is true that wealth and friends and material success may make [happiness] the brighter when it is already shining within ... [David O. McKay, Pathways to Happiness, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1957), 107]

We are to look primarily within ourselves to build joy.

True doctrines bring joyful hearts to an intensity unknown to the world. ... Alma holds out great hope to you. There is joy to be felt exceeding the greatest of pains. He also implies that you can build for yourself high pain thresholds through understanding the Atonement. 

... Alma is telling you that the Savior’s Atonement holds full power to grant mercy sufficient to completely cleanse the mind and soul. What is profoundly crucial to you is to understand that this mercy holds sufficient power for you to achieve complete peace and healing.

Many scriptural evidences demonstrate that the Atonement gives healing to both body and soul. Think on the miracles performed by the Savior wherethrough He healed physical infirmities, at the same time forgiving the repentant sinners and bringing peace to their souls. ... Both body and soul were healed in his conversion. 

In our day the Lord has entrusted you with His power to heal by faith and by the power of the priesthood to bring about this peace and healing. Time isn’t sufficient today to name all the ingredients for bringing peace and healing to the soul. Certainly the power of the Atonement, coupled with our true and full conversion, is the greatest ingredient in finding joy."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Reach for Joy

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 1982 General Conference talk, and it is called "Reach for Joy" by Sister Elaine Cannon. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Sister Cannon has mentioned the following; 

"Part of our precious legacy to be remembered and renewed is that though deepening trials throng our way, we know that our afflictions can be consecrated to our good. Good can come from trouble. ... “Weeping may endure for [the] night,” sang the psalmist, “but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5.) 

My dear sisters, the daily work of the Lord involves changing hopeless to hopeful for all of us. And it is for us to find at last that in the midst of winter we have within us an invincible summer. In a world filled with adversity we can reach for joy.

My heart responds to you - to you who are young women, so beautiful and so refreshing; to you wise and wonderful ones who have lived a little longer and suffered some; to you with many dreams and to you whose dreams have been dashed; and to some of you who have given way for a time to the temptings that are unleashed upon all of us in these latter days; ... 

To all of you, ... I give you my blessed witness that our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ live and sustain us and that the Comforter witnesses within us even now that our personal joy can be full. But first the testing - the bitter so that we can appreciate the sweet. First the trial - and then the witness of our faith. (See Ether 12:6.)

It is our understanding that in the world before this one we all heard the plan of life presented by the gods. We had our agency and each of us voted to come down to earth to be proven herewith. To me that means something like: “I will go down and I will take up my life no matter what comes. I will go down and suffer a learning disability or watch the man I love marry someone else; ... or I’ll live my life working hard all my years without apparent success. 

But I will go down to earth to be proven and to learn.” (See Abr. 3:25.) Trials come in different ways at different stages of life. ... But whatever life offers, it is to be lived, it is to be learned from. We need to get on with it and reach for joy. One certainty of life is that each of us will meet some mighty test. 

... Another thing that we can count on is that neither here nor hereafter are we suddenly going to emerge with qualities we haven’t developed or a pattern of living for which we have not prepared ourselves. Adversity is an important part of the preparation for at least three reasons. 

One, God knows whom he can trust and who, like Job, will stand firm and love him unconditionally. 

Second, adversity well handled can increase our understanding and compassion. And we will be more effective in helping others when we’ve had a few challenges of our own. We just may need to be an answer to somebody else’s prayer.

And third, we draw closer to our Heavenly Father when we are in deep need. Our prayers of thanksgiving and joy of course should be part, and are a part, of our worship, ... Attitude in adversity turns hopeless to hopeful.

"We have to embrace obstacles to reach the next stage of
joy." - Goldie Hawn.

... Or we can find our way by asking that all-important question: “Which of my Heavenly Father’s principles will help me now?” And when we find that appropriate principle, the next step is to live that law, “irrevocably decreed” upon which the particular blessing that we need is predicated. (See D&C 130:21.)

God’s plan is a plan of ultimate joy for each of us. His principles suffice in any situation. But each one of us, young and old, must rise to her challenges in her own way. Each one of us must reach for her own joy.

... For thirty years and more, Sister Louise Lake, who has now passed away, lived alone trapped in a wheelchair. A parade of problems plagued her constantly. But she made it, beautifully prepared to meet our Heavenly Father. And this is how she did it. 

Each morning over the years she practiced an “exercise in joy” a kind of fervent blessing-counting session upon awakening. Imagine! An exercise in joy under those circumstances. She didn’t curse God and die. (See Job 2:9.) She gave thanks and lived anyway touching many of us in remarkable ways because of what she had learned about trouble.

... Find the principle, sisters. Live it! Reach for joy. A special friend of mine was left with the burden of being a single parent, not by her choice. One day she was particularly desperate for help. She was very much in need of comfort and direction. 

And yet she felt so alone: her parents were away on a mission, the bishop was busy, her home teacher was out of town. And finally, tear weary, she turned to the scriptures and read the beloved words “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” (D&C 88:63.) Here she found her answer. She prayed and she was helped. It was wonderful. It worked!

Today we women of all ages can draw upon the powers of heaven. We can seek strength through the priesthood, find solace and direction in our patriarchal blessing, be guided by studying the scriptures. Life may not always be exactly what we had in mind, but we are not alone. 

This special promise is recorded in Mosiah: “Lift up your heads and be of good comfort. … And I will … ease the burdens … upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” (Mosiah 24:13, 14.)

... I know that our Heavenly Father keeps his promises. I, like you, have been sorely tried in a variety of ways. But this kind of seasoning teaches us that every burden on the back can become a gift in the hand. This I firmly believe, and I earnestly pray that in time of trial we may stand firm, sisters, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that we may stand as witnesses of Christ and of peace in the plan of life. 

And thus reach our joy. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/reach-for-joy

Stay Tuned until next time.