Finding Joy in Christ
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does President Lund suggest is the surest way to find joy in this life?
- How does President Lund describe the role of the Children and Youth program?
- What is the relationship between service, discipleship, and joy according to President Lund?
- How does President Lund use his son's story to illustrate principles of the gospel?
- What is the call to action that President Lund extends to parents, leaders, and the rising generation?
Topics
Finding Joy through Service and Sacrifice
President Lund shares the story of his son's struggle with cancer and his determination to fulfill his duty as a deacon despite his condition. Through this story, he emphasizes the joy and purpose that can be found in serving the Savior and others, even in the midst of trials and hardships.
And the surest way to find joy in this life is to join Christ in helping others.
His once indomitable deacon’s body was itself a little bruised, broken, and torn, willingly suffering to serve by bearing the emblems of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives.
- How does President Lund's son find joy in his service as a deacon, despite his illness?
- What does President Lund suggest is the relationship between service, sacrifice, and joy?
- How can you find joy through service in your own life?
- Can you think of a time when you experienced joy through serving others, even in difficult circumstances?
Growing in Discipleship through the Children and Youth Program
President Lund discusses the purpose and importance of the Children and Youth program. He emphasizes that all activities and teachings of this program are aimed at helping young people become more like Jesus and join Him in His work of salvation and exaltation.
All Children and Youth activities and all Children and Youth teachings are about helping young people become more like Jesus by joining with Him in His work of salvation and exaltation.
Children and Youth is a tool to help every Primary child and youth to grow in discipleship and to gain a faith-filled vision of what the way of happiness looks like.
- What is the purpose of the Children and Youth program, according to President Lund?
- How does the Children and Youth program help young people grow in discipleship?
- How have you or your children been blessed by participating in the Children and Youth program?
- What goals can you set to grow in discipleship and become more like Jesus?
The Role of Parents, Leaders, and Youth in the Lord's Work
President Lund calls on parents, leaders, and the rising generation to actively participate in the Lord's work. He emphasizes the urgency of this call, especially in the face of the current world challenges, and the blessings that come from serving and keeping covenants.
And so the urgent call from God’s battalions in fateful training is for “all hands on deck!”
I pray that you will strive, with redoubled energy worthy of this time, to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, to qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy that comes only through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- What is President Lund's call to action for parents, leaders, and the rising generation?
- How does President Lund connect service and covenant-keeping with joy and blessings?
- What can you do to support the youth in their spiritual growth and service in the Lord's work?
- How can you apply President Lund's call to action in your own life?
The Savior's Mission and Our Role in It
President Lund explains that the Savior's mission has always been to serve His Father by saving His children. He suggests that following the Savior's example and participating in His work of salvation and exaltation is the surest way to find joy in this life.
The Savior’s mission has always and forever been to serve His Father by saving His children.
May you help prepare the world for the Savior’s return by inviting all to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement.
- What does President Lund say is the Savior's mission?
- How does President Lund suggest we can participate in the Savior's mission?
- What can you do to align your life more closely with the Savior's mission?
- How can you invite others to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement?
The Power of the Sacrament and Priesthood Service
President Lund discusses the sacredness of the sacrament and the role of Aaronic Priesthood holders in administering it. He emphasizes the power of this ordinance to remind us of the Savior's Atonement and to connect us to the powers of Christ's salvation.
Every time a deacon holds a sacrament tray, we are reminded of the sacred story of the Last Supper, of Gethsemane, of Calvary, and of the garden tomb.
We may think about what it means when a deacon carries the sacred emblems to us, standing as he does where Jesus would stand if He were there, offering to lift our burdens and our pain.
- What does President Lund say is the significance of the sacrament?
- How does President Lund describe the role of a deacon in administering the sacrament?
- How can you deepen your reverence and understanding of the sacrament?
- How can you support and appreciate the service of Aaronic Priesthood holders in your ward or branch?
