![]() 1:4).Ībove all, courtesy to companions cannot be defiled by disobedience to the law of chastity. And as they may watch from windows of heaven, their mornings will be brighter if they can truly say, as did the Apostle, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” ( 3 Jn. ![]() The gospel brings glad tidings for the dead and a voice of gladness for the living and the dead-for all, glad tidings of great joy (see D&C 128:19).Įven when death’s veil separates us from parents who gave so much that we might be, their righteous influence continues with us. Through service in the temples, the concept of courtesy to companions can be nobly extended to those who have passed beyond the veil. Alma so expressed this thought: “That perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance … is my joy” ( Alma 29:9). Years of preparation are worth it.Īnd joy is derived in Church service. To be able to do for fellow human beings something they could not do for themselves brings matchless satisfaction. One of life’s sweetest returns is the privilege of rendering significant service of worth to others. Joy cometh in the morning to those who have earned the night’s rest of a laborer. Gratefully I wondered if each of the thirty thousand missionaries now laboring in the Lord’s service would have, and be, as kind a friend as he was to me, thoughtfully rendering simple acts of courtesy to a companion. On occasion, when I returned from a morning shower, I found to my surprise that this considerate companion had shined my shoes. Recently another General Authority was my partner for mission tours to dusty places. ![]() Thankfully, we all have companionship of family and friends. Many of us who are married cannot be together as much as we would like. Not all of us are blessed with such wonderful eternal companions-not yet anyway. With her, it is easy to obey the scriptural injunction to “live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of life” ( Eccl. Kindness was reflected in her reply: “Through our struggling years I didn’t expect much, so I was rarely disappointed.” They asked her how she had managed with ten children and a husband whose time to help was so limited. Recently I overheard a conversation she had with young mothers enduring similar stress. Through our many long years of postgraduate study, professional responsibilities, and a growing family, she did not complain. McKay, who said, “During courtship we should keep our eyes wide open, but after marriage keep them half-shut” (in Conference Report, Apr. That reminds me, incidentally, of advice given by President David O. I gain sweet reassurance that all is well with her even before my eyes are fully opened. When shades of slumber first admit the light of dawn, I reach gently for my beloved companion nearby. Joy in the morning begins with courtesy to companions. And possibly most important, you must feel good about your relation to God and sincerely love him.”Īs I so counseled my family in that conversation, we all might consider those three steps to achieve real joy in life. You must feel good about yourself-not in any sense of conceit, but simply a proper esteem for yourself, well deserved. You need to feel good about the people with whom you live and work-your companions in life. “My dear ones,” I replied, “in order to experience true joy in the morning, or at any time, at least three factors are needed. One of our daughters, who had recently announced that she was expecting a new addition to the family, said, “But Dad, that’s the hardest time of the day for me!” ![]() The true test,” I continued, “is to be able to look in the mirror, first thing in the morning, and feel real joy.” And to experience joy in the morning becomes our special challenge. “It declares joy to be part of our divine destiny. “The gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope,” I answered. How can they, and we, attain the joy spoken of in the scriptures?” One of our family said, “News reports appear almost daily concerning people who have problems with drugs, drinking, and emotional distress. 2:25), but they had not pondered the intriguing concept that “joy cometh in the morning.” The title of my message is taken from the thirtieth Psalm, verse 5 : “Joy cometh in the morning.” As I discussed this scripture with members of our family, they recalled that “men are, that they might have joy” ( 2 Ne.
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