"The Holiday Season can be challenging for all of us with plenty of opportunities to serve, enjoy family and connect with good friends. There are times the thought might come: how am I going to survive the holidays? If an apostle of the Lord were to tell you the key to survival would you be interested in listening? Well, he has! What is the key, as identified by President Nelson in his October, 2016 conference talk? Joy! Our Heavenly Father recognizes our needs and offers us the gift of joy. It is our spiritual life preserver!
Think about a time you felt joy. Who were you with? Where were you? What were you doing? President Nelson related a story told by Eliza R Snow about a time she felt joy. She and her family had just been forced to flee Missouri. It was in the middle of the grueling winter of 1838. They spent one night sheltered by a rude cabin along with 80 other Saints. Her description of this night was "not a complaint was heard--all were cheerful. . .none but saints can be happy under ever circumstance." President Nelson then taught "the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." He continued, "If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. Joy comes from and because of our Savior Jesus Christ. . . .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."
How do we claim this gift of joy? President Nelson promised, "when we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior's Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy."
In this season of thanksgiving and celebration of the birth of the Savior of the World let our voices and hearts ring out with joy!
As some of our favorite hymns resound:
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come;"
"Oh, come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant;
Come and behold Him,"
"But, oh, what triumph shall I raise
To thy dear name through endless days,
When in the realms of joy I see
Thy face in full felicity!"
"Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!"
It is my prayer that each of us seek this gift of joy as we seek our Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen.
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