www.lds.org/ensign/2000/11/the-path-to-peace-and-joy?lang=eng&query=scott,+joy+(name%3a"Richard+G.+Scott")
"Are you taking full advantage of the redeeming power of repentance in your life so that you can have greater peace and joy? Feelings of turmoil and despondency often signal a need for repentance. Also the lack of the spiritual direction you seek in your life could result from broken laws. If needed, full repentance will put your life together. It will solve all of the complex spiritual pains that come from transgression. But in this life it cannot remedy some of the physical consequences that can occur from serious sin. Be wise and consistently live well within the boundaries of righteousness defined by the Lord."
** Joy can be found when I truly repent. When I live consistently righteously I will enjoy a joyous life.
Robert D. Hales – April 2003, Faith Through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy
“My brothers and sisters, however dark conditions may seem in this world today, whatever the storms we are facing personally, in our homes and our families, this joy can be ours now. Sometimes we don’t understand death, illness, mental and physical disabilities, personal tragedies, war, and other conflict. Some of these are a necessary part of our mortal probation. Others, as Enoch foresaw, are part of the preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming, when “the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but,” said the Lord, “my people will I preserve.” And when Enoch saw all these things, he “received a fulness of joy.”
**Things can seem dark but even in the storms, we can find joy. Trials are an important part of our earthly existence, the Lord says He will preserve us. That is a joyful statement.
Thomas S. Monson - October 2008, Finding Joy in the Journey
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
**Don't wait to be happy, find joy now. We have a lot to do here on earth, don't get bogged down thinking that happiness is at the end of the journey. Be happy on the trip.
M. Russell Ballard -October 1992, The Joy of Hope Fulfilled
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/the-joy-of-hope-fulfilled?lang=eng
"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!"
He went on to talk about a family that was sealed in the temple and said, "Brothers and sisters, I wish all of you could have been with us in the temple that day to feel the joy of hope fulfilled. I am sure you would have sensed, as I did, the rekindled love for God and the sublime happiness that filled the heart of my friend’s mother as her four sons, their companions, and other family members surrounded her in the sealing room."
** We can find joy in the fact that the Lord gives us hope that he has a plan for us. We need to obey His commandments and he will guide us back to Him. When we go to the temple and are sealed as a family we will have joy.
Thomas S. Monson - April 2012, Willing and Worthy to Serve
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/willing-and-worthy-to-serve?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When I think of the word duty and how performing our duty can enrich our lives and the lives of others, I recall the words penned by a renowned poet and author:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/families-under-covenant?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"At the coming of Elijah, not only was power given to the priesthood, but also hearts were to be turned: “The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven.”7
Thomas S. Monson - October 2008, Finding Joy in the Journey
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng&query=personal+revelation
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
**Don't wait to be happy, find joy now. We have a lot to do here on earth, don't get bogged down thinking that happiness is at the end of the journey. Be happy on the trip.
M. Russell Ballard -October 1992, The Joy of Hope Fulfilled
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/the-joy-of-hope-fulfilled?lang=eng
"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!"
He went on to talk about a family that was sealed in the temple and said, "Brothers and sisters, I wish all of you could have been with us in the temple that day to feel the joy of hope fulfilled. I am sure you would have sensed, as I did, the rekindled love for God and the sublime happiness that filled the heart of my friend’s mother as her four sons, their companions, and other family members surrounded her in the sealing room."
** We can find joy in the fact that the Lord gives us hope that he has a plan for us. We need to obey His commandments and he will guide us back to Him. When we go to the temple and are sealed as a family we will have joy.
Thomas S. Monson - April 2012, Willing and Worthy to Serve
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/willing-and-worthy-to-serve?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When I think of the word duty and how performing our duty can enrich our lives and the lives of others, I recall the words penned by a renowned poet and author:
I slept and dreamt
That life was joy
I awoke and saw
That life was duty
I acted and behold
Duty was joy. 8
Robert Louis Stevenson put it another way. Said he, “I know what pleasure is, for I have done good work.”9
** We are blessed to have a duty, a job to accomplish, so that when we have completed the task we can reflect on the good we have done and found joy in doing it.
Henry B. Eyring - April 2012, Families Under Covenanthttp://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/families-under-covenant?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"At the coming of Elijah, not only was power given to the priesthood, but also hearts were to be turned: “The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven.”7
That feeling of his heart turning has already come to my friend and to his family. It may have come to you in this meeting. You may have seen in your mind, as I have, the face of your father or your mother. It may have been a sister or a brother. It may have been a daughter or a son.
They may be in the spirit world or continents away from you. But joy came from a feeling that connections with them are sure because you are or can be bound to them by priesthood ordinances that God will honor."
They may be in the spirit world or continents away from you. But joy came from a feeling that connections with them are sure because you are or can be bound to them by priesthood ordinances that God will honor."
** The sealing power of Elijah has bound my family together. Even if they are half a continent away, or even if they are in the spirit world, I can be joyful that I am eternally connected to them because I have been sealed to them.
Quentin L. Cook - April 2012, In Tune with the Music of Faith
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace...23
Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction.26 The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace...23
Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction.26 The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ."
**Our doctrine is clear: be positive and of good cheer. Have joy! We have joy by obeying the commandments and following His will.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf - April 2009, Following the Savior's Path
http://www.lds.org/friend/2012/04/following-the-saviors-path?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people showed they honored Him by placing palm leaves on the dusty path. They used the word Hosanna, a joyful word that means “save us now.” ....The gospel is the way of discipleship. As we walk in that way, we can experience confidence and joy. You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Now is the time."
http://www.lds.org/friend/2012/04/following-the-saviors-path?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"When Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people showed they honored Him by placing palm leaves on the dusty path. They used the word Hosanna, a joyful word that means “save us now.” ....The gospel is the way of discipleship. As we walk in that way, we can experience confidence and joy. You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Now is the time."
** Hosanna means "save us now" We can have confidence and joy knowing that living the gospel will save us unto the Lord.
Thomas S. Monson - October 2009, The Joy of Service
http://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/10/the-joy-of-service?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"My message to the young men and women of the Church is begin now to learn in your youth the joy of service in the cause of the Master.... As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy."
http://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/10/the-joy-of-service?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"My message to the young men and women of the Church is begin now to learn in your youth the joy of service in the cause of the Master.... As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy."
**We have to look outside of ourselves for ways to serve others. As we reach outward and serve, we will find true joy.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf - September 2011, Forget Me Not
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"In this classic children’s story, (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket. Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands. In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.
So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry.
There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”4 The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear."
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng&query=finding+joy
"In this classic children’s story, (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket. Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands. In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.
So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry.
There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”4 The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear."
** Happiness is not found in the big exotic extras, it's in the simple day to day things. Don't put your happiness on hold until the great day when all our dreams come true.
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