Yes, We Can

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking in sacrament meeting along with my two counselors.  Brenda gave a great talk on why change is necessary and good.  Victoria gave a wonderful talk on noticing miracles in our lives.

"Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street."

Perhaps as He sent us to Earth our Heavenly Father said something similar to these words from Dr. Seuss…though there would have been one significant difference—He would have reminded us that we are NEVER on our own.  He is always there and He can help us decide which streets to go down!  In fact, often He asks us to go down streets that we might not choose to go down on our own!

My topic today is “Yes, We Can!”  Specifically, I was asked to talk about the idea that we can do hard things when we are asked to by our Father in Heaven and Savior…through our priesthood leaders.  We can accept challenging callings.  We can accept changes.  We can teach our families.  We can do temple and family history work.  We can remain faithful despite trials and challenges.  I have probably mentioned something that feels overwhelming to you…or if I haven’t, then I’m certain that you can think of something that feels overwhelming to you.  We are asked to do hard things and sometimes (probably often!) we lack confidence in our abilities.  As Dr. Seuss said, “there’s a very good chance that you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.” (Though we’ll hope that’s metaphorical and not literal!) Dr. Seuss continued, “There are some down the road, between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you don’t want to go on.”   So what do we do when we are asked to do something that scares us so much that we don’t want to go on?

In this past conference, Sister Michelle Craig said, “Have you ever felt your talents and gifts were too small for the task ahead? I have. But you and I can give what we have to Christ, and He will multiply our efforts. What you have to offer is more than enough—even with your human frailties and weaknesses—if you rely on the grace of God.  The truth is that each of us is one generation away from Deity—each is a child of God.18 And just as He has done with both prophets and ordinary men and women through the ages, so Heavenly Father intends to transform us.”

With Christ, what we have to offer is more than enough!

Listen to these incredibly encouraging words from Isaiah:

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?” 

“[God] giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. …

“… They that wait upon [Him] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. …

“For … the Lord … God will hold [their] right hand, saying unto [them], Fear not; I will help thee.”  (Isaiah 40:28, 29, 31; 41:13.)

I’ve had a number of experiences where I’ve been asked to do things that I wasn’t sure I could do.  Perhaps the experience that comes to mind first for me was when I was called as RS President.  Forgive me because I know some of you have heard me tell this before—probably several times...  A few months before I was called as RS President, I was feeling so very overwhelmed.  I was trying to do good things…teach full time in a demanding school, be a good mother, be a good wife, fulfill my calling in Primary, and so on.  But I wasn’t feeling very successful at balancing all of these responsibilities.  I felt overwhelmed, exhausted and absolutely like I wasn’t enough.  I prayed and prayed to know what to let go of…but I really didn’t feel like there was anything I could let go of.  I shed many tears and really wondered if it was going to get better.  In what seems like an ironic twist of events, my answer came. I was called on a Saturday afternoon and asked to meet with Bishop Delamare the next day.  I told Alfredo that I thought I was going to be called as Relief Society President…and I was.  At a time when I felt overwhelmed and like I needed to let go of some of my responsibilities…at a time when I felt like my talents and gifts were too small for what had already been asked of me, I was given even more responsibility…a responsibility that I felt keenly.  But that’s when the miracle took place.  I found very quickly, almost overnight, that when I put first things first and trusted in my Savior, He helped me carry all of my burdens. 

President Eyring said it this way:  “You can have the utmost assurance that your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve. And when you look back on what may now seem trying times of service and sacrifice, the sacrifice will have become a blessing, and you will know that you have seen the arm of God lifting those you served for Him, and lifting you.”

That is exactly what happened to me.  It hardly even seems that was a time of sacrifice because I was so richly blessed during those two years.  That time of service was such a blessing and so life changing for me!

In Come Follow Me, two weeks ago we read Matthew 11, verses 28-30:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Typically when you yoke oxen, you want them to be “equally yoked”…you want to put two strong, large oxen together so they can pull evenly.  But when we are yoked to the Savior, it really is like having one large, strong oxen and one much smaller, weaker oxen yoked together, with us being the smaller, weaker oxen…yet despite these differences in size and strength, the Savior meekly invites  us to yoke ourselves with Him and removes our burden and allows us to find rest. 

I saw this over and over as I served as RS President…when I put my trust in Him and focused on what really mattered, I was able to accomplish more AND become more than I could ever have done on my own.  And I have continued to see this in my life, nearly daily since that time.  On my busiest weeks, on the weeks when I look at all that needs to be accomplished and it feels impossible, if I conscientiously invite the Lord’s help through prayer and scripture study and serving others and temple attendance…then everything works out.  I get everything done.  And He allows me to see and experience tender mercies…evidence of His hand in my life.

So what do you do if you’re extended a calling that you don’t feel qualified for?  I love these reminders from President Eyring… a man that I am certain has been given callings he didn’t feel qualified for:  “Henry B. Eyring…”Rise to Your Call”: “First, you are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you. He has prepared a way so that He could issue your call. He restored the keys of the priesthood to Joseph Smith. Those keys have been passed down in an unbroken line to President Hinckley. Through those keys, other priesthood servants were given keys to preside in stakes and wards, in districts and branches. It was through those keys that the Lord called you. Those keys confer a right to revelation. And revelation comes in answer to prayer. The person who was inspired to recommend you for this call didn’t do it because they liked you or because they needed someone to do a particular task. They prayed and felt an answer that you were the one to be called.” 

“Just as God called you and will guide you, He will magnify you. You will need that magnification. Your calling will surely bring opposition. You are in the Master’s service. You are His representative. Eternal lives depend on you. He faced opposition, and He said that facing opposition would be the lot of those He called. The forces arrayed against you will try not only to frustrate your work but to bring you down. The Apostle Paul described it this way: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

While I served as RS President, I came to love the hymn The Time is Far Spent, written by one of my heroines, Eliza R. Snow.  It says,

1. Verse 2:“2. Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,
   But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
   Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
   Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,
   Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.
   4. Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
   The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
   Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
   His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
   His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
   

We can accept and magnify callings…even and perhaps especially callings that feel soul stretching or beyond our present capabilities…and when we do, we will see miracles!
What if the things that we don’t feel capable of right now aren’t specifically callings?  What if it is some piece of counsel from the prophet or apostles?  What if it’s doing family history work?  Or teaching in our homes?  Or speaking in sacrament meeting?
I had a humbling experience after October General Conference.  I love General Conference and while I am far from perfect at applying everything that is taught, I can’t really remember a time when I really struggled with a change occurring or a precept being taught.  That’s NOT to say that I understand or know everything.  Anyway, when the change to two hour church was announced, I struggled.  For nearly two months, I really struggled internally.  I believed in the promises given by our leaders and I absolutely know that President Nelson is a prophet of God.  The spirit has born witness to me that this is true.  So why was I struggling?  Well, first and foremost, this world is hard to live in and church—for me—is a respite from the world.  I love studying the scriptures with others in Sunday School.  And I LOVE teaching the young women and learning from them.  I love being edified together.  I just kept thinking that with the wickedness of the world, we need MORE church, not less.  I need more time with my fellow saints, not less.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to teach my family, because I was excited about that aspect of it.  But I really worried both about my own spiritual growth and also worried for those that might struggle due to these changes.  And I was so sad to have less time to interact with and teach the precious young women.  I spent a lot of time praying and worrying and worrying and praying and discussing my feelings with a couple of trusted friends and leaders.  And then I determined that regardless of my personal concerns, I would do my best to sustain our beloved apostles and trust in their greater wisdom…or really, in the greater wisdom of our Savior because it is truly He that leads the Church.  I determined to exercise faith and to do my best to implement these changes and to help others to do so as well.  And while I do miss having 3 hours of church…I know I’m weird in that way…but I do miss the third hour…I am seeing wonderful blessings already.  I am seeing how the Lord is strengthening my family and the precious YW.  I am seeing how He continues to multiply my time and my efforts.   


We are all going to face some type of change or some type of challenge that stretches us.  When that happens, will we react with faith or with fear?   Will we believe that we can do what we are asked to do…not alone but with the Savior’s help? 

President George Q. Cannon once taught: “ [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]. … He will [always] stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them.”

When faced with challenges, when asked to do hard things, I hope our response will be “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)  As we are taught in D&C 6:36, “Look unto {Christ} in every thought, doubt not, fear not.”  Can we do hard things?  Yes, we can!

Joy

"Joy is powerful and focusing on joy brings God's power into our lives." --Russell M. Nelson

I have been collecting my own "secrets" to choosing/finding joy. Here are a few:
1. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and focus on building my relationship with Him.
2. Express gratitude! Notice the Lord's Tender Mercies, the evidence of His hand in my life, as well as all of the kindnesses that others extend to me and give thanks.  Also notice the incredible beauty around me.  This world is magnificent. The Book of Mormon says that all things denote there is a God.  I'd add that all things not only denote there is a God, but a personal, loving God that cares for each of us.
3. Spend time in holy places and in holy habits.
4. Serve others. Be kind, send loving notes and texts. "Fangirl" those I love (in the words of Jen Hatmaker).
5. Make time to read!
6. Go on regular date nights! Make my marriage a priority.
7. Spend time with those I love...family, friends, the Young Women!
8. Don't watch tv. (This was a surprising source of joy but cutting out tv has been a very positive thing for me.)
9. Spend time in nature.
10. Forgive.
11. Change my thinking patterns. In nearly every situation, we can find something to be happy about or something to be upset about...I am working hard to change my thought patterns when I begin to get stuck in the frustrated/upset ways of thinking.

Do I choose joy every minute of every day? No! But I am conscientiously trying to spend much more time choosing joy.

My dear friends, Jackie, Sara and I spent two months studying the book of Philippians with a group called Multiply Goodness.  The book of Philippians is only 4 chapters long, but I loved taking just a few verses a day and really pondering them and really pondering how to find joy even when things are challenging.  I'm not perfect at it, but I have seen improvement.  A week and a half ago, there was a really bad snow storm.  It took me about an hour and a half to get to work...which is frustrating any way.  But I had a parent teacher conference that morning that I ended up missing because the roads were so bad and my commute took so long.  I was feeling super frustrated.  And then I thought about this study and what I was learning about joy...and about the talk I had just given in stake conference about finding joy through living the gospel...even when things are hard or frustrating.  And so I began to pray a prayer of gratitude.  I tried to think of everything I had to be thankful for in that moment...and the list was long.  And it changed my attitude.  I got back to a place where I could think, "I have all, and abound.  I am full" (Philippians 4:18).  I hope that as additional challenges come...perhaps really large ones...that I can remember what I have learned and strive to find joy.  I know that joy comes in and through Christ.  He is the source of joy.  And it touches me deeply that focusing on joy helped Him endure all the suffering and agony of Gethsemane and the cross.  

Also, Jackie gave me this lovely shirt.  I love it so much!  It's a reminder of all that I've learned, a reminder to choose joy...to chase joy...and a reminder that I have dear friends who love me. I'm so grateful!

The Joy of Living the Gospel

I had the privilege and blessing of speaking in the adult session of stake conference tonight. I was nervous but also excited because I LOVE the topic I was assigned which is the joy of living the gospel.  I was able to speak for 15 minutes and I could have talked for closer to 45 so I couldn't include everything I would have like to have included, but here are my remarks with a few things that I didn't include in my talk due to time but that I would have liked to include:
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The Joy of Living the Gospel

I was asked to speak about a subject that President Nelson said is, “key to our spiritual survival.” When i think of what is necessary for our spiritual survival in these last days, I think of making and keeping covenants in the temple or of learning to recognize, receive and act on promptings or repentance...and these principles are essential.  But none of those are my topic for today...my topic is joy.

President Nelson gave a BEAUTIFUL talk entitled Joy and Spiritual Survival  in which he said, “Lehi knew opposition, anxiety, heartache, pain, disappointment, and sorrow. Yet he declared boldly and without reservation a principle as revealed by the Lord: “Men are, that they might have joy.”6 Imagine! Of all the words he could have used to describe the nature and purpose of our lives here in mortality, he chose the word joy!..

I'm so happy to get to talk about how living the gospel brings me joy because number one it really does!   And number two, I've actually spent the past 6 weeks studying joy in depth.  So I could probably talk for an hour or more about what I've learned and how the gospel brings me joy...though I won't. 

About a year ago, a dear friend of mine passed away unexpectedly.  I was also in the midst of a period of pretty intense tutoring by the Lord.  As we’ve been counseled to do, I’d been seeking to know “what lack I yet” and lovingly the Lord showed me…He showed me that I was lacking in an area that I had actually felt was a strength for me and I spent a couple of months really experiencing what Sister Michelle Craig referred to in this past conference as “divine discontent”…I was really searching and seeking to know how to overcome these weaknesses that I’d suddenly recognized I had.  I spent a great deal of time thinking, praying, grieving, and feeling sadness.  It was during this period that I first read President Nelson’s talk and was so struck by his words about joy…because I wasn’t feeling as much joy as I usually do. 

 President Nelson said, “Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!

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…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.”

What?  How was I supposed to feel joy in the midst of deep sadness? How can we feel joy in any and every circumstance?   I don’t know if the following quote from President Nelson will mean to you what it meant to me, but it felt a bit life changing at that time.  I don’t know if I can even articulate my thoughts about these words:

President Nelson said, “Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”17 Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families.

If we focus on the joy that will come to us, or to those we love, what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair, or simply impossible?”

This was quite an a-ha moment for me.  I knew that my trials and challenges would help me to be prepared for the wonderful blessings that lie ahead.  That wasn’t new…but I had never realized that in order to endure the Atonement, to endure His tremendous suffering in our behalf, in MY behalf, the Savior focused on joy…and especially on the joy of healing and blessing you and me so that we could return home.  If he could focus on joy during such an incredibly trying time, then I could learn to find joy in the midst of challenges! 

So I would like to talk about a four ways that I have found to bring greater joy into my life.  But first I want to point out that the reason these things bring joy is because they draw us closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He really is the true source of joy!

I currently serve the young women of my ward.  That brings me a great deal of joy!   I asked them to share with me some of the things that bring them joy...here's some of the things they shared:  sweet treats like ice cream and cookies, time outdoors, card and board games with family, hammocks, friends, family, music, dancing, food, reading the New Era, the gospel, sports, dogs, ice skating, loved ones, learning, stories, family vacations, seminary, Family Halloween costumes, softball, candy, temple attendance, kittens, family activities, reading the scriptures, being around uplifting and positive people, being in the garden, nice home, fun teachers, sleep, Disneyland, road trips, autumn, Christmas, camping, adventures, books, tumbling, beach, days off, talking with Father in Heaven, hiking, cozy nights in my pajamas watching Netflix, good drinks from Fiiz, sun, hot water, my bed.  Listening to that list, hopefully you heard something (or many things!) that make you feel happy.  I think one of the greatest ways that we can feel joy is by noticing all of the gifts that our Father in Heaven has given us.  Just thinking about these things on this list, makes me feel happy.  Even better than noticing these gifts is expressing thanks to our Father in Heaven for them.   Gratitude is powerful.  There is a strong correlation between gratitude and joy...even social scientists are studying and writing about the power of gratitude.  I think I'm a relatively joyful person...some of that is a spiritual gift I've been given, I think.  But I truly believe that a big part of my ability to feel joy regularly is that I conscientiously try to notice and express gratitude for my blessings.  I try to notice the tender mercies and evidences of God's love that I experience and write them down.  I am a pretty good journaler...I don't write about everything I do or everything that happens to me, but I try to record my spiritual experiences, lessons I learn and blessings I receive.   Quote I cut out:  President Eyring systematically recorded his daily blessings. He said, “I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened…My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

ALSO cut out:  Sometimes what the Lord has done for us ARE the trials, problems and challenges He gives us.  As I mentioned, about a year ago I spent a period in intense tutoring by the Lord.  I learned so many valuable lessons.  It wasn’t an easy period…I often felt discouraged by how slow my progress was and by how far I was from where I had thought I was…but in the intervening months, I have had opportunities to use what I learned during that period to minister to several others.   Two LDS speakers I admire recently took the Beatitudes and put it into more modern language to help us recognize that…just as Christ taught…often our blessings are not what we expect when we think of blessings.  I love their words, just as I love Christ’s words in the Beatitudes:

A CONSTITUTION OF HAPPINESS (by Emily Freeman and David Butler):

When you feel you are lacking you are blessed because you will find your abundance in Him.

When your heart is broken you are blessed because He will come to mend you.

When you become content where you are you are blessed because you will learn to see God in everything.

When you are empty and unsatisfied you are blessed because He will come to fill you.

When you offer your heart to someone in need you are blessed because your heart will become like His.

When you seek for the good you are blessed because that is where you will find God.

When your relationships need reconciliation you are blessed because your Father is the giver of peace.

When you feel like you don’t belong you are blessed because He has already welcomed you in. 

Second...There's power in loving others and in building unity.  I've been discussing this with a dear friend the past couple of weeks.  In Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 we read, "fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one Accord, of one mind."but often we fall short of this ideal.  It's easy to talk to those we have things in common with or to feel unity with those we find easy to love.  But we all share a divine identity as sons and daughters of God.  We are literally brothers and sisters.  And as members of the Church, we have so much in common...a shared belief in a loving Father in Heaven, in our Savior, a desire to repent and improve, a love for our prophet, a desire to keep the commandments...we should be able to love one another and show concern and unity.  And when we do, we feel joy.  Disunity and contention and exclusion drive away the spirit and remove joy.  But loving and building unity in our homes, our wards, our neighborhoods and our communities brings joy.

Third, serving our fellow man brings peace and joy.  I actually really love to find ways to serve others because it does bring me so much joy.  About a month ago, I had this feeling when I was driving home that I should stop and buy a CD by Calee Reed for a friend.  I stopped and bought the CD but had a busy evening and didn't drop it off.  The next day, I kept feeling like I needed to take it over and so finally I made the time to go to her house.  As I was heading there, I kept thinking, "This is really weird. Why am I doing this?" But I went to her house and knocked and she came to the door...I gave her the CD and a note and talked to her for a few minutes.  It turned out that she'd had a hard day and had some unexpected things happen.  As I headed back home, I said a prayer of gratitude...because this was one more evidence that first, my Heavenly Father was aware of my friend and what she was experiencing even though I hadn't been...and second, that He knew me and knew He could trust me to act...despite me feeling it was silly.  I've had enough experiences like this that I am learning to act even when it seems silly and to trust that even if I don't know why I have the prompting, Heavenly Father does.  I'm not perfect at acting on promptings and I don't always learn why I receive the promptings I do, but finding ways to cheer and bless and serve others brings me joy.  

FANGIRL from “Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker:  “Fangirl the flesh and blood people around you, the ones you live by, live with, live for. Go gaga over your own people; that is well-placed loyalty. Overvalue them, over-love them, overencourage them." Then she explains that a friend of hers created a text rule...whenever she thinks anything kind or loving about someone else or notices their talents or their best qualities, she sends them a text. She "sends the love before the thought leaves her mind". I love this idea!! And I really love this part: "Fangirl the people who never get fangirled. You know the ones: the underdog, the quiet hero, the little guy. They are shy or behind the scenes or difficult or loners. It's boring when the same old obvious people get all the enthusiasm; the spotlight naturally gravitates toward certain folks in our culture...But the earth is jam-packed with amazing, extraordinary people who...deserve applause." 

I try to follow this: to send positive thoughts and texts whenever I have a kind thought of someone else, to be a fangirl or cheerleader for those around me.  I try to follow the council that Sister Michelle Craig shared in conference, quoting Sister Camilla Kimball, “Never suppress a generous thought.”  I know that as I do, I bring joy to others and I feel deeper joy myself.

A couple of months ago, a friend and I took our teenagers to the Draper Temple to do baptisms.  As we were driving there, it was a really foggy, murky day.  A few blocks from the temple, I wondered if I’d made a wrong turn because I could not see it at all…and I should have been able to.  When we arrived, you could barely see the statue of angel Moroni through those mists.  When we left the temple, a couple of hours later, the temple was illuminated and could be seen from a distance.  We took photos when we arrived and a couple of photos as we left, and as I looked at the difference between the before and after photos, I realized this was a beautiful analogy for life.  As we spend time in the world, our lives can begin to become murky, the mists of darkness swirl around us and it becomes harder to see the light or to experience joy.  But as we spend time in holy places, creating righteous routines and holy habits, light and joy flood our lives.  Perspective returns and we can see more clearly what really matters and we can feel the joy that comes from the Savior.  I find that as I spend more time in the temple, especially, but also more time in the scriptures, more time in prayer, more time “out of the world”, my joy increases exponentially. 

Paul, who was no stranger to trial and tribulation wrote to the saints in Philippi while he was imprisoned. If you want to learn more about joy and see how to find joy in the midst of tribulation, I encourage you to study the book of Philippians.   He writes of his joy as he thinks of these, his fellow saints and as he prays for them.  He says, “the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” and that he rejoices in preaching of Christ.  Paul, in the close of Philippians, chapter 4 verse 4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice.”  Then in verse 18, he says, “But I have all, and abound:  I am full.”  That is how I feel.  Regardless of what comes…I have all and abound, I am full…because I have the fullness of the gospel and an understanding of what awaits me if I am faithful.  I know that many challenges lie ahead for me, for each of us…but I hope that we can face these challenges with the knowledge that “God is for us” and that “all these things shall give us experience and shall be for our good” and find joy in Christ.  As President Nelson said, “he is the source of all joy.”

Expressing gratitude, building unity, serving others, and spending time in holy places and in righteous routines brings joy!  I know this is true because I have experienced it.

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Also I didn't end up including anything from these two talks, but I love both of them:

Finding Joy in Life by Elder Richard G. Scott

That Your Joy Might Be Full by Jean B. Bingham