Have Joy

 

"Adam fell that men might be; and man are, that they might have joy."

 

2 Nephi 2:25

I love this scripture!! I often read it on a day that is a little cloudy and it is hard to have joy! Thinking back to the Plan of Salvation where Adam and Eve fell out of the garden of Eden. While living there they lived in a state of innocence where they knew no pain or sorrow, or joy! When ever I read about the state they were in I was so grateful for the Fall because only after the fall could we truly have joy!!

 Joy is a choice! Heavenly Father has given us agency to choose good from evil, but it all starts with our thoughts! When we choose to be happy and have joy it spreads like wild fire! And we have so much to be happy about! We are living, walking, breathing humans. We have so many opportunities daily to learn and to live! We have the ability to choose! We are surrounded by a beautiful Earth! There are beautiful flowers, fresh cut grass, and great food to smell!! The list goes on and on!

I think most important, we have a Father in Heaven the loves us and a Savior who atoned for our sins so that we can have joy and live free from guilt and shame that comes from wrong doing! He is the master engineer of our lives preparing numerous ways and opportunities for us to grow and to have joy! Hard times will still come, things may not always turn out the way we would like, but we can have joy to know that the Savior has over come all! His love is for everyone! It is infinite! It covers all! I know that is true! Joy is a choice, and may I venture even a commandment! Heavenly Father wants nothing more than for us to have and find joy in every part of our lives! He have provided a way for that to be so! That is our purpose for being here on Earth! In every situation there is joy to be found! We can find it through the Savior Jesus Christ! I have seen it in my life and I know it is true!!!

"There things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome to world!"

John 16:22