721. President Russell M. Nelson: 'Joy and Spiritual Survival', thoughts from his General Conference talk.
At this point in time, I believe President Nelson's talk has more significance than ever before. (Notes about it below!) Let's be joyful, and know that our Heavenly Father will continue to guide us, and help us during whatever stressful times are ahead.
I'm going to northern Utah today with my sister Vina, to see our beloved sister Mavis, for the weekend and go to Mavis's grandson's wedding. Aren't family wonderful! ! ! We have been very close as sisters, and have 3 way conversations often.
Below are pictures of us younger. You can probably tell which are which, Vina on the left, Mavis in the center, and me on the right in the top one. I know we have a picture taken in the last few years with my white hair, and Vina's light also, but I couldn't find it quickly. I'll take some this weekend!
As we were growing up we sang trios in many places!
A couple of nights ago I had a call from a lady I have never met, and may never. She has moved into our ward, but is incapacitated, and serves in a capacity she can make phone calls. I was so saddened by her outlook on life. She had been a very active person throughout much of her life, hiking mountains, doing all sorts of physically demanding things. Then in a wreck she lost the use of her legs, and now has a metal rod in her spine. I'm so sorry she has a lot of pain, but the saddest thing is her attitude toward life and other people. She told me she has 2 things in her life, her belief in the Gospel, and her Pride! She avoids going out to anything social, or to Church, because her pride won't allow her to let anyone see her in her condition -- in a wheelchair! She just reads and watches TV during the day.
I offered to come visit her and be friends, and she said she didn't want me to see her helpless, and a cripple. She is very bitter, and feels that her "pride" is something to be guarded the rest of her life. She said that would be the rest of her life. She only goes to a grocery store, etc. when she needs it, and can go slowly leaning on a shopping cart, so no-one will see her in a wheel chair.
I love people in wheelchairs! One of my dearest friends is a wonderful woman, also in a wheelchair, who endures pain each day, and still goes out with people as much as she is able. She is pleasant, and tries to enjoy life as much as she can. I hope if I ever get to that point that I will be able to feel joy, as President Nelson counsels. Enjoy reading about his last conference address here:
President Russell M. Nelson: 'Joy and Spiritual Survival'
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President Russell M. Nelson
The joy Latter-day Saints feel has little to do with “the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives,” said President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“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,” he said. “Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. … For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!”
Speaking during the Sunday morning session on the topic, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” President Nelson said, “as conflicts between nations escalate, as cowardly terrorists prey on the innocent, and as corruption in everything from business to government becomes increasingly commonplace,” Church members can focus on joy.
“Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind,” he said. “Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us. Yet we are here to have joy? Yes! The answer is a resounding yes.”
President Nelson said Church members can feel joy, even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year.
“That is why our missionaries leave their homes to preach His gospel. Their goal is not to increase the number of Church members,” said President Nelson. “Rather, our missionaries teach and baptize to bring joy to the people of the world.”
Just as the Savior offers peace, He also offers “an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension,” said President Nelson.
Members can claim that joy by looking to the Savior, he said. “We can give thanks for Him in our prayers, and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us, and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.”
Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power, said President Nelson. “As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar. ... In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy.
"And what was the joy that was set before him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home — clean and worthy — to live with our heavenly parents and families."
Focusing on joy can help Latter-day Saints endure those things that seem overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair or simply impossible, President Nelson said.
And as Latter-day Saints diligently focus on the Savior, and then follow His pattern of focusing on joy, they need to avoid those things that can interrupt their joy.
“Anything that opposes Christ or His doctrine will interrupt our joy. …,” said President Nelson. “If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy. Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.”
The Savior taught us how to have joy, President Nelson said. “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. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for their forgiveness, we can feel joy.
“Every day that you and I choose to live celestial laws, every day that we keep our covenants and help others to do the same, joy will be ours.”
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