Based on: Psalm 100 Core message: The gospel can bring pure joy into our lives if we will just get out of our own way and let it happen. Related Book of Mormon passages: 1 Nephi 1:15, 2 Nephi 9:3, 2 Nephi 11:8
All the Ends of the Earth
Based on: Psalm 98 Core message: The entire world benefits from the Savior's light, even non-believers. We all have reason to rejoice. Related Book of Mormon passages: Mosiah 12:24, Mosiah 15:18-31
Sweet Is the Work
Based on: Psalm 92 Core message: Simplifying our service will increase our happiness. Related Book of Mormon passage: Alma 29:9
Ephrath
Our greatest sorrows can give birth to our greatest joys. After God renewed his covenants with Jacob at Beth-el, Jacob traveled with his family toward a place called Ephrath or Ephrathah (אֶפְרָת), which means "fruitful." When they were almost to their destination, Jacob's wife Rachel went into labor and died in childbirth. Jacob named the... Continue Reading →
He Laughs
Is it good to laugh? According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter relieves stress by releasing endorphins, stimulating blood circulation, and aiding muscle relaxation. (See "Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke" on mayoclinic.org.) And laughing with other people is correlated with strong relationships and good feelings toward one another. (See Laura E. Kurtz and Sarah... Continue Reading →
A Fulness of Joy
Speaking to God, King David testified, "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11). After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle Peter quoted this passage to a diverse group of people on the day of Pentacost. Here is how he phrased it:... Continue Reading →
Songs of Everlasting Joy
Isaiah associated singing with joy. For example: "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob" (Isaiah 48:20, 1 Nephi 20:20)."Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth;...and break forth into singing, O mountains;... for the... Continue Reading →
Songs of Everlasting Joy
Isaiah prophesied of a time when the children of Israel would be delivered from bondage and would gather to Zion. This would not only be a day of joy; it would be the beginning of an eternity of joy: The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness,... Continue Reading →
That They Might Have Joy
If you can have hope for the future, then you can have joy today. When Lehi taught his son Jacob that men (and women) "are that they might have joy," he wasn't talking about an easy life, free from adversity. There must be "opposition in all things," he said. Jacob himself had endured significant trials,... Continue Reading →
“There Never Was a Happier Time…” – Alma 50:23
After successfully fending off an attempted invasion by the Lamanites, Moroni and his people immediately got busy fortifying their cities further and preparing for the next attack. During this time of uncertainty and hard work, Mormon tells us that their emotional state was unexpectedly positive: But behold there never was a happier time among the... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 