Joy Isn't the Absence of Sorrow: Finding the Higher Perspective in the Work

Fellow disciples, have you ever felt like joy should look a certain way? Like it should be a constant, bright, unbroken stream? Maybe you picture it as the absence of struggle, the absence of doubt, or the absence of difficulty in the field.

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about that idea—the idea that joy is just the opposite of sorrow. It’s a common misconception, one that can trip up even the most seasoned returned missionary. We tend to think that when the Spirit is strong, the going is smooth. But the gospel, and the Savior’s own life, teaches us something far richer and more robust.

It’s an honor to share this reflection with you, especially as we continue to build up our capacity to be Internet missionaries, disciples wherever we are. We are learning that the Savior’s journey wasn't a straight path to glory; it was a path through profound suffering, and *that* is where the deepest joy is found.

The Unexpected Messiah

When we look at the account of Palm Sunday, we see the initial wave of pure, unadulterated joy. The crowds were electric! They were shouting praises, they were anticipating the end of suffering, the moment the Deliverer arrived. It was a moment of perfect expectation. But what happened next? The crowds dispersed. Life went back to "regularly scheduled activities," and the initial fervor faded. Many people were still subject to earthly concerns—taxes, politics, routine.

Meanwhile, what was Jesus doing? He wasn't celebrating in the streets. He was having a quiet supper. He was praying. He was going to Gethsemane, alone, to walk "the winepress." He was accepting the ultimate sacrifice. The world expected a triumphant king who could save Himself and everyone else by simply appearing powerful. But the reality of the Messiah—the true work—required Him to endure the unimaginable.

This is the core lesson for us as Latter-day Saints. We often want the *glory* without the *grit*. We want the blessings of the gospel, the testimony, the feeling of the Spirit, but sometimes we gloss over the necessary accompanying work—the deep study, the uncomfortable conversations, the moments where we feel like we are failing in our efforts to be Christlike.

Embracing the Whole Picture

Joy, I believe, is not the absence of sorrow; it is the capacity to hold both joy *and* sorrow—the anticipation *and* the agony—and still keep our eyes fixed on the Savior. It’s accepting that the path to exaltation, and the path to helping our neighbors, involves the struggle.

This is a powerful reminder for our ongoing discipleship. When you are studying scripture, and you hit a passage that feels deeply challenging, or when you are preparing for missionary discussions and the questions are tough, don't mistake the struggle for failure. The struggle *is* part of the process. It’s where we learn to rely on the Atonement, not just the feeling of being saved.

I encourage you to take this concept of embracing the full spectrum—the praise *and* the cross—and apply it to your own discipleship. Don't just look for the "highs" in your journey; look for where the Savior modeled strength in the quiet, difficult moments. That's where the real power of the Spirit resides.

If you’re looking to deepen this understanding, I highly recommend diving into some of the teachings on the Atonement found in the Iron Rod library. It helps frame this whole picture beautifully.

If you’re feeling called to talk more about this, or if you want to practice wrestling with some of those hard questions, I’d love for you to connect with me, or perhaps join a Book Club in HolyPlaces. We can unpack this together.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Keep pressing forward!