October 2017
In 2 Nephi 2:25 we read the following: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” Then we read in D&C 101:36 “Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” What is this joy for which mankind was created, and why can worldly persons never know it?
Continuing the topic of joy, we read in Alma 29:13–14 where Alma says: “Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full. But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.” I interpret this passage to say that Alma received great joy in fulfilling his priesthood calling as he ministered the blessings of Christ to his people. And his joy was made even greater in understanding the success of the sons of Mosiah in blessing the Lamanites in Christ.
Another question we might ask is: What is the glory of God? God answers that himself by saying in Moses 1:39 “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” And we read in John 17:1–10 the following about glory: “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” I interpret this passage to say that Christ glorified the Father by gratefully doing the Father’s will on earth to bless mankind, and asks the Father to now glorify him, which is to be grateful that Christ has fulfilled the Father’s will in blessing mankind.
We read in D&C 29:11 “For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.” I interpret this passage to say that power and glory are different things, but the Savior will enjoy an abundance of glory when he comes again, which glory he did not enjoy in his mortal sojourn.
Again, we read in 1 Nephi 14 “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” I interpret this passage to say that men can also have glory as they minister to others in Christ.
Conclusions: Joy is the feeling enjoyed by a true servant of Christ who successfully ministers the blessings of Christ to others. Worldly persons cannot know joy because of the hallmark of worldliness is selfishness. Joy comes only in obedience to Christ as sacrifice of self to bless others. Happiness is contentment and gratitude for one’s blessings. Glory is the gratitude which blessed beings give to those who bless them in Christ. And those who know true joy give the greatest glory to God. True joy is to be one with Christ while serving Him and our neighbor with all of our heart, might, mind and strength.
Glory to God in the Highest for sending Jesus Christ to bless us.