Joy

During my studies last week I read the talk "Joy and Spiritual Survival" by President Russel M. Nelson from the October 2016 General Conference. This was a great talk that really makes you think about the way you go about life. To sum it up it talks about how its possible to have joy while going through tough situations. One thing that really makes a big difference is our attitude towards different aspects on life and the Gospel really impacts our attitude. President Nelson said, "What will you and I be able to endure as we focus on the joy that is “set before” us? What repenting will then be possible? What weakness will become a strength? What chastening will become a blessing? What disappointments, even tragedies, will turn to our good? And what challenging service to the Lord will we be able to give?" It is possible to have this type of attitude as long as we live the gospel. Any trial that we have can be turned for good. President Nelson shares a story of some early pioneers that had been kicked out of their home in the middle of winter and they were traveling to a new place. It was cold, snowy, and windy at this time but despite the bad conditions they still had joy. Eliza R. Snow said that there was never a complaint and that only Saints could have such joy under such circumstances. Only through the gospel is this possible. Joy can be a choice, we just need to make the effort so that when hard times come we already know what to do to keep the spirit with us.