Good afternoon, I am Dylan Payne, soon to be Elder Payne. I’ve
been called to serve in the Uganda Kampala mission, and I leave in a week from
Tuesday. For those of you who are not familiar with the geography of Africa,
Uganda is in Eastern region. I am super excited to get out into the mission
field and introduce other people to the gospel that has brought so much
happiness into my life. I’m also super excited to be able to speak today and
hope that the spirit will continue to be here throughout the remainder of the
meeting. So, the topic that I am going to be speaking about today is “Finding
Joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
I really love this topic because as a missionary, this is one of
my strongest motivations for wanting to share the gospel. The joy that the
gospel has brought into my life has been immense especially in the last couple
of months as I prepare to leave. I want other people to experience that same
joy. That is why I am choosing to serve a mission
One of the 5 countries covered in my mission is Rwanda. In 1994
there was genocide in Rwanda, and close to a million people were killed.
Because of this almost 65% of the population is under the age of 18. Almost
everyone in this country suffered the loss of a family member. The atonement of
Jesus Christ has made it possible for all the people who were affected by this
terrible thing to see their loved ones again. Imagine the joy that these people
will be able to find in the gospel of Christ. What comfort this message of hope
can bring in times of sorrow. I am excited to share the joyful message of the
resurrection, eternal families, forgiveness, and love that are part of the
gospel.
I’m going to change
directions a little bit and talk about how each of us, can find joy in the
gospel daily. The demands of everyday
life—education, jobs, raising children, Church administration and callings,
worldly activities, and even the pain and sorrow of unexpected illness and
tragedy—can wear us down. How can we free ourselves from these challenges and
uncertainties to find peace of mind and happiness?
President Russell M.
Ballard shared a story that illustrates how we often overlook the simple things
that bring happiness. Sometimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who
in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold
rush. He sold all his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers,
which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly
carry them.
Day after endless day,
the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward
was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until
one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of
rocks you are getting there, my boy.”
The young man replied,
“There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.” Walking over to the pile of rocks,
the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know
where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them
together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold
sparkling in the sunlight.
Noticing a bulging
leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m
looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”
The old prospector
extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see
several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with
thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said,
“Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re
missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient
accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”
This story illustrates
the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman in Alma chapter 37 verses
6 and 7:
“By small and simple
things are great things brought to pass. …
“… And by very small
means the Lord … bringth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).
The gospel of Jesus
Christ is simple, no matter how much we try to make it complicated. We should
strive to keep our lives similarly simple, unencumbered by Worldly influences,
focused on those things that matter most. So, what are the precious,
simple things of the gospel that bring clarity, purpose, and joy to our lives?
What are the flecks of gospel gold whose patient accumulation over the course
of our lifetime will reward us with the ultimate treasure—the precious gift of
eternal life.
In D&C 130: verses 20 and 21 it says- There is a law,
irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which
all blessings are predicated- and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is
by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of action. So, when we do
the things that our father in heaven has commanded us to do, we in turn, will
receive blessings and protection that will help us to be happy.
So not only do commandments from our Heavenly Father help us
to avoid things that could potentially make us unhappy, but we also receive
blessings for following these commandments.
In first Nephi chapter 3 verse 7 it says, “And it came to
pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: 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 thing which he commandeth them.”
I believe this with all my heart as it has been so evident
in my preparation for my mission. Remember this when you are going through a
trial and try to keep a positive attitude. In order to go on my mission, I had
to graduate high school and seminary early. They were tough things but by
relying on the lord I was able to get them done. One of my absolute favorite
scriptures is Alma chapter 20 verse 4 and it says: in the strength of the Lord,
thou can do all things.
During times of trial, it can sometimes be difficult to stay
happy-
In 2 Nephi chapter 9 verse 18 the Savior tells us “They who have
endured the crosses of the world… shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was
prepared for them… and their joy shall be full forever.
A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle.
That same pebble, on the ground is seen in perspective. Looking at our trials
through an eternal perspective will help us to overcome them with a good
attitude and be happy.
Challenges are growth
experiences, temporary scenes in life. Do not become so absorbed in a single
event that you cannot think of anything else or care for yourself or for those
who depend upon you. Remember, much like the mending of the body, the healing
of some spiritual and emotional challenges takes time. Sadness, disappointment,
and severe challenge are events in life,
not life itself. I do not mean to minimize how hard some of these events are.
They can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to
become the confining center of everything you do.
The Lord inspired Lehi to declare the fundamental truth, “Men
are, that they might have joy.” That is a conditional statement: “they might have joy.”
It is not conditional for the Lord. His intent is that
each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the
commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to
have joy here on earth.
The Lord has said, “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt
have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy
days.” As you are patient, you will come to understand what the statement
“I am with thee” means. God’s love brings peace and joy.
Your faith in Jesus Christ gives life enduring meaning. Remember
we are on a journey to exaltation. Sometimes we have experiences that yield
more happiness than others, but it all has purpose with the Lord.
Knowing that I am a son of our Heavenly Father is one thing that
has been a great source of joy in my life. I know that we are all sons and
daughters of a loving heavenly father. Learning the saviors will for us has
helped me to realize my own divine potential and has led me to make choices
that have impacted my life for the better and kept me happy.
Your joy in life depends upon your trust in Heavenly Father and
His Son, and your conviction that their plan of happiness truly can bring you
joy. Pondering their doctrine will let you enjoy the beauties of this earth and
enrich your relationships with others.
The last thing that I want to touch on that will help us to find
joy is the spreading of the gospel through missionary work and service. I am
super happy with the choice that I have made to serve a mission and know that
it will be a source of great joy for me for the rest of my life.
These things that I have mentioned I know to be some of the flecks
of gospel gold that will bring happiness into our lives.
I bear testimony that I know by keeping our heavenly fathers
commandments we will be happy and reach the ultimate joy that is exaltation.
