Last October in General Conference, Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared the following:
“Even when we are found faithfully keeping the commandments, there are trials and tragedies that could interrupt our joy. But as we strive to overcome these challenges with the Savior’s help, it preserves both the joy we feel now and the joy we anticipate. Christ reassured His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” It is in turning to Him, obeying Him, binding ourselves to Him that trial and sorrow are turned to joy”.
As the Savior was preparing for His last day in mortality, He gathered His disciples in an upper room to share with them a sacrament and some PEACE in a very scary world. As He spoke to them of the things that were coming, it became clear to them that this sermon was not a proverb – it was real. From the Gospel of St. John 16 we read:
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I have two invitations for the members of the Mesquite Nevada Stake:
1. Ask yourself these questions: If the challenges and trials that I’m experiencing now were to be the “new normal”, how would I find joy in the journey? And, how would I seek for ways to overcome these challenges with the Savior’s help, so I can preserve both the joy I feel now and the joy I anticipate, because of the Atonement of the Savior?
2. We invite you to virtually attend (and share with your friends of faith) a stake music and spoken word devotional this Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. Simply click on the following link:
http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/mesquitenevadastake
You will notice that when you click on the link, that there are many ward worship services that can also be viewed on Sunday. We have been authorized by the First Presidency and the Area Presidency to return to weekly worship. We have also been approved to broadcast a worship service for each ward and branch at their normal Sunday meeting time. Because we are still limited to 50 to be physically in attendance, your bishop may ask some to virtually attend at each worship service. We are still authorized to have the sacrament at our homes if we are not attending in person.
These can be times of joy and wonder. The world would have you believe that these are days of gloom and despair; they are not. In the words of the Savior “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”.
I testify that the Savior did overcome the world.
Hope you are able to join us electronically on Sunday