Joy-God is in the details


The last 3 weeks I have been able to return to the Lords holy temple multiple times after a 15 month drought of temple time due to the pandemic. I have missed it so!

Several beautiful inspired ideas came to me. 


First, for about 30 years one of my favorite scriptures has been 2Nephi 2:25. When I served a mission to Taiwan many years ago I met a dear friend who first introduced me to this scripture. She was a beautiful mother of 2 small children and as she was reading the Book of Mormon for the first time she found this scripture and it really brought her comfort. “Men are that they might have joy” was a surprise and blessing to her. At 20 I didn’t really understand at the time  all that that message would come to mean to me over the last 30 years. 


Times of great sadness and fear have been comforted by that scripture. Times of great happiness and joy have been increased by that knowledge 


But this week in the temple I was blessed to find the scripture right before 2Nephi 2:24


We have had some set backs and unsettling things happen in regards to our plans post accident. We thought we had a good “new normal” plan but found out that would not be the case. 


I have spent a lot of bandwidth fearing for the future and second guessing what the best way to handle the change might be. 


The inspiration I have received over and over since the accident is a question from the Lord “Do you trust me?”  As I fret and worry and try to see the future I have been shown again and again that yes I can implicitly trust the Lord. But…. it’s hard still. My doubts and blindness to see all things that are coming cause me great unnecessary stress. 


So back to the scripture 2 Nephi 2:24 

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.


Right before the purpose statement of “men are that they might have joy” is the reminder of who knows and does all things to bring about that very joy!! Trust Him! He wants your happiness and joy and will help you find the joy. 


Second, goes right along with the first it is the new YW theme first sentence “I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly parents.” 


What does that mean? So many eternal and powerful truths are contained in that short sentence.


As a mother in my imperfection I would do anything in my power to bring my kids home and see them happy— so the first thing that message says to me is all knowing and powerful parents would do the same. My joy is guaranteed based on my willingness to keep trying.  To walk into the darkness with a trusting childlike faith is hard but that truth makes it easier. 




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