Following Jesus gives us joy today

The most beautiful, lush, green valley he’d ever seen: that’s how my son, an avid hiker, describes the view from the hut at Snowbird Glacier. High in Hatcher’s Pass, the hike to get there is arduous, the trail often unmarked, the tiny cabin difficult to locate in the vast glacial valley. Finding the hut and enjoying the view was priceless, but my son found enjoyment in every part of the trek. The journey was as joyful as the prize.

Each of us is on our own great journey—the journey of life. The purpose of our life is to eventually live in the presence of our Heavenly Father forever. We will have joy there, and we anticipate that glorious reunion. But we can also have joy during our lifetime. In fact, it is our Heavenly Father’s plan that we do!

We experienced joy before we were born, when we lived with our Heavenly Father in the world of spirits. Job teaches that we “shouted for joy” in our premortal life when we learned of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness that would bring us back to Him forever (Job 38:7).

Jesus Christ paid the price and established the guidelines---His gospel---to provide us the way for both daily joy and everlasting joy. Joy is available to us because of Him. The early apostles taught His gospel: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). After baptism, the saints continued to learn doctrine, take the sacrament by “breaking of bread,” and pray (Acts 2:42). They also cared for each other.

Faith in Jesus Christ leads to repentance, and repentance brings joy. Have you experienced the joy of giving your sins and weaknesses to Jesus? The relief from repentance is real. The change it gives us is transformational. The prophet Alma in The Book of Mormon shared his experience. He was rebellious in his youth. As he recognized his error, he said, “I was harrowed up by the memory of many sins…. As Alma cried to Jesus for forgiveness, he describes, “I could remember my pains no more…; and oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold…. There was nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.” Giving Jesus our load of sin and mistakes brings joy!

Baptism brings joy. Peter, John and Baptist, and Jesus all taught baptism by immersion. Faith in Jesus Christ and repentant hearts lead us to baptism, which washes away our sin and gives us a new birth. It is the beginning of becoming a “new creature” in Christ (Matthew 5:6). It also allows us to take upon ourselves Jesus’s name and commit to keeping his commandments and serving others in His name. Baptism is so important that Jesus was baptized, even though He had no sin.

Following baptism, we receive the Holy Ghost. When Philip was teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, the believers were baptized, and then received the Holy Ghost as Phillip and others “laid they their hands on them” (Acts 8:17). Jesus taught, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26). The Gift of the Holy Ghost gives us guidance and testifies of truth, and these gifts bring us joy.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments,” (John 14:15) Jesus taught. Keeping His commandments brings joy. Commandments keep us safe from harmful habits of body, heart and soul. They help us learn and live true, eternal principles. Keeping God’s commandments shows God our love for him and our trust in him.

We can experience joy every day. Like the challenging yet joyful trails that lead to glorious views, the gospel of Jesus Christ leads us through this life with joy. Elder Neal L. Anderson teaches, “Our love for [Jesus]…allows us to walk through… challenges with a strength far beyond our own. As you trust in Him and keep His commandments, I promise you not only heavenly guidance but heavenly power–power that brings strength…and peace to your difficulties, and joy to your blessings.”

Beth Wright is enjoying this beautiful, yet cold, summer. She loves her family and finds joy daily through Jesus Christ. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.