STIMULATOR message for the week of October 3, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, October 3, 1972
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)
Dear Fellow missionaries —
The quotation above is one of the great eternal truths found in the Book of Mormon that helps us better understand the real purpose of life. Originally it was taught by Lehi to his son Jacob in the course of instructing him in the basic principles of the Fall and the Atonement.
Let’s stop and ponder on the magnificence of that statement. Just think of the vast significance embodied in the assurance that we were placed on the earth that we might have joy. It might be well to examine the word “joy” and see what it means. There is evidence that it has varied and different connotations for different people. The dictionary says joy is a state of happiness and to most people that would be sufficient. But to faithful Latter-day Saints, joy means more than happiness.
We can obtain some sense of its grandeur by referring to some of the scriptures in which it is mentioned. For example: “Where wast thou when the morning stars all sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7) “And the angel said, “fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)
Joy as we know it in this life is a deep soul-satisfying emotion that comes form knowing we are engaged in our Father’s business, and we feel a unity with Him and His Son and with each other. Devoted service in God’s Kingdom, and especially missionary work, are most productive of this kind of joy. Elder Bruce R. McConkie says it is a gift of the spirit and it comes from the Holy Ghost.
But there is a joy that transcends even this. It is known as a fullness of joy, and is the reward of those who obtain exaltation in the celestial kingdom. This is the condition to which Jesus referred when he said, “Enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
May we all be faithful in obtaining joy in this life and a fullness of joy in the life to come.
Faithfully yours,
President and Sister Sant
“And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.” (Doctrine and Covenants 51:19)
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