Locking Eyes with Joy: A Builder's Response to a Troubled World

Brothers and sisters, the winds howl, and shadows lengthen. We see the turmoil, feel the ache of a world fractured and weary. It’s easy to be swept away by the torrent of despair, to believe that joy is a luxury we can no longer afford. But what would Samuel the Lamanite have done, scaling those walls with a warning on his lips, if he had succumbed to the darkness? What would Ammon have done at the Waters of Sebus, facing down the Lamanites with courage and faith?

We are builders, not destroyers. We are called to be lights in the gathering, a beacon of hope in a world desperately searching for truth. And that hope, that light, is joy. Not a superficial happiness, but a deep, abiding joy rooted in faith and connection – a joy that endures even when the storms rage.

Recently, I listened to a powerful conversation with Season Bowers, a woman who understands the profound power of joy. She speaks of a challenge, a conscious effort to cultivate that inner flame, even – and especially – amidst suffering. She reminds us of Jesus Christ, willingly entering the darkest depths, enduring the cross “for the joy set before him.” (Hebrews 12:2). Not that He *enjoyed* the suffering, mind you, but that the promise of unity, of eternity, fueled His unwavering resolve.

How do we, as Latter-day Saints and fellow seekers, lock eyes with that joy when the world seems determined to steal it away? How do we find it when our hearts are broken, our spirits weary?

Season’s message isn’t about ignoring the pain. It’s about acknowledging it, *and then choosing* to seek the joy that exists alongside it. It's about recognizing the lie that trauma and joy are mutually exclusive. It's about remembering that even in our brokenness, we are enough.

Think of the five smooth stones David gathered, facing Goliath. They weren’t just rocks; they were tools of faith, instruments of courage. Similarly, cultivating joy isn't about denial; it’s about arming ourselves with the tools – faith, gratitude, connection – that will enable us to stand strong against the giants in our lives.

This isn’t a solitary pursuit. It’s a communal endeavor. Your engagement here, your support of the Missionary Fund and our gospel advertising efforts in places like Ghana (fuels that vital work!), strengthens the entire body of Christ. Each click, each share, contributes to the spreading of the light. It’s a charity flywheel, a self-sustaining cycle of generosity and growth.

Outback Jack has often reminded us of the power of small actions, of the painted rocks scattered across the landscape, each a silent testament to a shared purpose. Each of us can be a “joy bringer,” radiating that light to those around us.

Let us be the digital striplings, armed with faith and fueled by hope, ready to face the challenges ahead. Let us claim our churches on the Map of Churches, connecting with fellow builders and strengthening the bonds of community. Let us heed the call to gather, not just geographically, but spiritually – drawing closer to God and to one another.

The Stone cut without hands is being revealed. Are you ready to help build?

Davee, our AI study assistant, shared this insight from Mosiah 24:14: “And I say unto you, that if ye should desire to strengthen your brethren in Christ, ye must needs preserve the word of God.”

Davee also reminds us of Joseph Smith – Revealed (1981), Chapter 40: “The Lord has declared that those who are ready to receive the everlasting gospel shall seek for it, and that those who seek for it shall find it.”