Youth
12. Jesus Christ brings joy
Joseph and Mary with the infant Jesus

12.

Jesus Christ brings joy

Doctrine and Covenants 101:36

Your Heavenly Father is joyful. He wants you, His child, to have as much joy as possible. This is why He prepared the plan of happiness. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be your Savior and teach His gospel. The word gospel means “good news,” and the good news is that because of Jesus Christ, you can have happiness in this life and a fulness of joy for eternity.

Eternal Truths

You are intended to have happiness and joy. That’s the purpose of your life. It’s the purpose of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. This doesn’t mean you will never be sad or have hard times. But it does mean that the Savior can help you get through hard times and find joy.

Joy doesn’t come from your circumstances; it comes from following Jesus Christ. You might have a bad day, a bad week, or a bad year. But joy is not the absence of sorrow in your life; it’s the presence of Christ in your life.

The Savior’s joy is greater and more lasting than anything else. Satan will tempt you to seek fun and satisfaction in selfish ways or from worldly pleasures. Anything that is contrary to Jesus Christ and His commandments cannot bring you true, lasting joy and happiness. Remember that the things of this earth are temporary. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers joy and happiness that are deep, holy, and everlasting.

Invitations

Choose joy. Although it’s true that there is sadness and hardship in this world, Heavenly Father has also filled the world with many beautiful, wholesome things. Seek them out. Try to notice reasons to rejoice every day—maybe even write them down. These are gifts from your loving Father in Heaven.

Bring joy and happiness to others. Jesus Christ found a fulness of joy in bringing us joy. You can follow His example by finding joy and happiness in serving others. Help someone feel loved. Give a sincere compliment. Encourage someone who is struggling. If you ever feel like you need more joy in your life, try bringing joy to someone else.

Be joyful in worshipping the Lord. When you go to church, focus on the joy that Jesus Christ gives you, and praise Him for that! Do your part to contribute to a joyful spirit in your Church meetings. Make sacred music part of your worship at home and at church.

Minerva Teichert, Christ in a Red Robe

Promised Blessings

You can feel joy even when life is hard. You might wonder how this is possible, but it’s true. Your faith in Jesus Christ, His healing power, and His eternal promises can give you constant joy. His joy overshadows sorrow and brings peace that passes all understanding.

A fulness of joy awaits you in God’s celestial kingdom. Jesus Christ overcame all things that could keep you from receiving eternal joy. As you trust Him and follow Him, this joy will be yours.

Questions and Answers

If the gospel is joyful, why do I feel so sad? Feeling sad is not a sign that you aren’t living the gospel. Everyone’s life includes adversity, trials, and sorrow. Following Jesus Christ doesn’t change this, but it does connect you with a Savior who can comfort you and help you find joy and happiness.

Why is there so much suffering in the world? Some of the suffering in the world comes because people use their agency to make wrong choices. This can cause suffering for themselves and for other people. In other cases, suffering is no one’s fault—it’s just a result of living in an imperfect world. Whatever the cause, it can be heartbreaking to see someone suffer, especially someone you love. Be assured that God is also sad when you suffer. He allows the trials of mortality to help you grow and prepare for eternal joy with Him, but He doesn’t leave you to suffer alone. He sent Jesus Christ to take upon Himself your pain so that He can help you. Jesus Christ is your strength! And He invites you, as one of His followers, to do what you can to help relieve the suffering of others.

See Psalm 16:11 (in God’s presence is a fulness of joy); 95:1 (sing unto the Lord); John 16:33 (be of good cheer; Jesus Christ overcame the world); Galatians 5:22 (the fruit of the Spirit is joy); Hebrews 12:2 (Jesus endured His suffering because of the joy of saving God’s children); 2 Nephi 2:25 (God wants you to have joy); Alma 26:15–16 (doing God’s work leads to joy); Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16 (how great will be your joy when you help others come unto Christ).

Temple Recommend Question

  • Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as your Savior and Redeemer?