Joseph Smith ended a letter to the church with a rousing invitation: "Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad." There are many reasons why we don't allow ourselves to feel joy, including ingratitude, perfectionism, conformity, and misguided empathy. Joy can be contagious, and our examples of joyful living may inspire and uplift others.
Cheerfully
How can we calibrate our efforts in God's work? Joseph Smith wrote that we should "cheerfully do all things that lie in our power." Maybe "cheerfully" is the key. When our efforts are so intense that we feel miserable, we may need to simplify, trust God, and more fully experience the joy of gospel service.
“With Anxious Expectation”
The Lord told Joseph Smith that ancient prophets had looked forward with “anxious anticipation,” foreseeing a dramatic expansion of knowledge in our day. Since they had a particular interest in our time, we should rejoice to be alive today, and take full advantage of the tools and opportunities God has placed in our hands.
Choosing to Be of Good Cheer
Multiple times in the scriptures, the Savior urges His disciples, "Be of good cheer." As President Jeffrey R. Holland has taught, these are not only words of reassurance; they are also a divine injunction. With faith in Him, we can hush our fears, take courage, and replace fearfulness with cheerfulness!
To Please the Eye and to Gladden the Heart
Doctrine and Covenants 59 emphasizes God’s desire for His children to be happy. Revealed in 1831 to Saints settling in Missouri, it links obedience and gratitude with “the fulness of the earth,” invites worship that feels like rejoicing, and celebrates food, nature, and beauty— “to please the eye and to gladden the heart.”
Savoring the Feast
Isaiah prophesied that God would provide the richest of blessings to all of His children. Jacob encouraged us not to take those blessings for granted but to delight in the abundance which God provides. God is pleased when we recognize and find joy in the blessings He provides.
“Lift Up Your Heart”
Jeremiah encouraged his people to "lift up our heart" during difficult times and to remember the promises they had received from God. Jacob and Nephi echoed this invitation to their people, and the Lord has reiterated it in modern revelation. We can find joy not only in blessings received but also in promised blessings.
Good Cheer
Multiple times during His mortal ministry, Jesus counseled people to be of good cheer. When Nephi prayed for his people the night the Savior was born, he received the same counsel. Calmness and cheerfulness are manifestations of our trust in Jesus Christ.
The Fruits of our Labors
Joy comes from meaningful accomplishments. We can feel joy even as we recognize that we couldn't have done it without God. We can feel joy in the accomplishments of others and in our relationships. We can also feel joy in future, hoped-for accomplishments
Service, Joy, and the Love of God
King Benjamin taught that when we are serving others, we are serving God. Elder Dieter F. Uchtorf added that serving others brings joy, and Elder Alexander Dushku added that we can feel the love God has for others as we serve them.