Joy in the Scriptures - Lessons from Paul and from modern-day leaders

Joy was very much a theme in my mind as I studied the scriptures last week. So much so, that first I made a slide documenting all the references to Joy in Philippians 2 and Colossians 3, and then I read the Come Follow Me- Sunday School guide and it talked about joy. Then I went to church and the speaker talked about joy, referencing a General Conference talk that I had recently re-read. Then talks came to my mind that I felt I should review and when I read them, the topic was joy!

So, this is a joyful post.

Paul wrote Philippians and Colossians while he was either imprisoned or under house arrest. This was a grim time for him, as he faced death from those who didn't believe what he was preaching, or didn't want to hear it. In fact, if you look at the epistles in the order in which they were written (not the order in which they were published, which is longest to shortest), Philippians was the last epistle that Paul wrote before he was killed, another great apostle that became a martyr. Yet, he was actually more upbeat in these epistles than many of his previous ones.

Why was Paul filled with so much joy?

He describes in Philippians 4:1-13 that he had been beaten, imprisoned, robbed, weary, hungry, thirsty, and cold many times. Yet, he understood the gospel, and the hope, faith, and grace of God.

Paul said of joy:

Paul advises in Philippians 4:1-13 the different way to we can face our trials and therefore seek joy, including: stand fast in the Lord, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, rejoice in the Lord, moderation, prayer, supplication, be honest, seek things that are just, pure, lovely, good report, of virtue, and remember, that "I can do all things in Christ, which strengthen me." 

Does this sound familiar? How about Nephi who says in Nephi 3:7 of the Book of Mormon, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them."

Said Elder Terence M. Vinson, during October 2019 General Conference, "Giving our all doesn't mean that we will be continually enveloped in blessings or always have success. But it does mean that we will have joy. Joy is not fleeting pleasure or even temporary happiness. Joy is enduring and is founded on our efforts being accepted by the Lord."

And when you are facing trials, remember the words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn the most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny." (Two Principles of Any Economy, General Conference 2009). Paul most certainly was shaped by his trials, starting with the vision that changed his path on the road to Damascus. 

There are so many excellent thoughts about joy in the scripture and from our church leaders. President Russell M. Nelson said in October 2016, "My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening - or not happening - in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, 'Joy to the world, the Lord is come.' And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"