This week I had the wonderful opportunity to see our investigator be baptized! It all went so smoothly. The thing that stood out the most to me, though, was her change in countenance. She had a lot of struggles in the past. But after she was baptized, she was so happy. There was a smile on her face from the moment she got there to the moment she left. When we visited her afterward and in the subsequent days, she was still smiling. She is so proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and recognized the joy that came from doing what was right. She even shared that joy with a non-member friend of hers!
How can each of us find that joy? We all face trials, struggles, and challenges. So where can we find the same joy this wonderful woman feels?
I personally have found joy by reading the scriptures. I have come to love the scriptures - read them, study them, and love them. I recognize a difference in my day when I haven't taken time to really soak in God's word for me. And the wonderful thing is, whenever I read, it seems that it all applies to my circumstance at the moment.
Alma, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon, explains how he found joy.
I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
(Alma 29:9-10)
We each find joy by doing the things the Lord has commanded us to do. I love being here on a mission, because I know that I am growing and learning every day, and coming ever closer to feeling true joy. I hope that each of you will strive to be more obedient to the Lord's commandments, because that is how we find joy.
