Talk Preparation Guide for "Smiling Faces and Grateful Hearts"

In his inspiring General Conference talk, Elder Carlos A. Godoy shares profound insights gained from his experiences serving in the Africa South Area. He highlights the remarkable faith and resilience of Church members in Africa, who face life's challenges with optimism and gratitude. Elder Godoy emphasizes the joy that comes from focusing on the Savior and His gospel, regardless of circumstances. Through touching stories and personal reflections, he illustrates how the Savior's healing power can bring peace to our lives.

Topics

Embrace Joy Through Gospel Focus

Elder Godoy emphasizes that the joy we experience is not tied to our life circumstances but to our focus on God's plan and the Savior. African Saints exemplify this principle by maintaining joy despite challenges.

The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.

Key Points:

Joy is independent of life circumstances.
Focusing on God's plan and the Savior brings joy.
African Saints demonstrate this principle through their positive attitudes.

Experiences:

Reflect on a time when you felt joy despite difficult circumstances.
Consider how focusing on the Savior has brought peace to your life.
Think about how you can better focus on God's plan in your daily activities.

Serve with a Grateful Heart

Elder Godoy shares stories of African Saints who serve with gratitude, even amid challenges. Their service is characterized by smiling faces and grateful hearts, illustrating the power of a positive attitude.

No complaints—only a smiling face and a grateful heart.

Key Points:

Gratitude enhances service, even in difficult circumstances.
A positive attitude can transform challenging situations.
African Saints serve with joy and gratitude, setting an example for all.

Experiences:

Recall a time when you served others with a grateful heart.
Think about how gratitude has influenced your service in the Church.
Consider ways you can cultivate a more grateful attitude in your service.

Overcome Challenges with Faith

Elder Godoy illustrates how faith in Jesus Christ empowers African Saints to overcome significant challenges. Their trust in the Savior enables them to face difficulties with resilience and hope.

Trust in Jesus and always look unto Him, because through Him you’ll find peace, and He will help you in the healing process.

Key Points:

Faith in the Savior provides strength to overcome challenges.
Trusting in Jesus brings peace and healing.
African Saints exemplify resilience and hope through their faith.

Experiences:

Reflect on a challenge you overcame through faith in Jesus Christ.
Think about how trust in the Savior has brought you peace during trials.
Consider how you can strengthen your faith to better face future challenges.

Find Strength in the Savior’s Atonement

Elder Godoy teaches that the Savior's Atonement offers strength and understanding in our trials. The Savior knows our pains and can succor us in all circumstances.

There is no physical pain, anguish, or weakness we can experience that the Savior does not know.

He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did.

Key Points:

The Savior's Atonement provides strength and understanding.
Christ knows our pains and can succor us in our trials.
His promise of rest and relief is available to all.

Experiences:

Recall a time when you felt the Savior’s comfort during a difficult period.
Reflect on how the Atonement has provided you strength in your life.
Think about how you can rely more on the Savior’s Atonement daily.

Witness Resilience in African Saints

Elder Godoy shares experiences from various African countries, highlighting the resilience and faith of the Saints. Despite physical and economic hardships, they remain joyful and committed to the gospel.

Again, there were no complaints—only smiling faces and grateful hearts.

Key Points:

African Saints face significant hardships with resilience.
Their commitment to the gospel is unwavering.
Their joy and gratitude are evident despite challenges.

Experiences:

Think about examples of resilience you have witnessed in your community.
Reflect on how you can show gratitude despite personal challenges.
Consider how the faith of African Saints can inspire your own commitment to the gospel.