2023
How to Have Joy
February 2023

“How to Have Joy,” Friend, February 2023, 2–3

From the First Presidency

How to Have Joy

By President Russell M. Nelson

Official portrait of President Russell M. Nelson taken January 2018

Adapted from “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84.

1. Winter night scene at a small cabin in Missouri in 1838. There are people inside and outside the cabin. Everyone is happy despite the cold. 2. Winter landscape. 3. 6 modern day children: Two boys talking, a girl reading a note, a sad looking boy, a boy and a girl talking to each other.

In the winter of 1838, members of the Church had to leave their homes in Missouri, USA. It was very cold, and their food was frozen solid. One night many people stayed in a very small cabin. They sat or stood all night, trying to get warm. Some spent the night outside near a campfire. They sang hymns and roasted potatoes. Sister Eliza R. Snow said, “Not a complaint was heard—all were cheerful.”

Sometimes it doesn’t seem like we can feel joy when something bad happens. But joy comes from focusing on the Savior. Our trials won’t last forever. When we focus on God’s plan of salvation and on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy.

Jesus Christ taught us how to have joy. Joy comes when we try to follow Him. We can give thanks for Him in prayer. We can keep the covenants we have made with Him and our Heavenly Father. We can ask for His joy to be given to us. As we do these things, our Savior will become more and more real to us. And our joy will increase.

Happy Teachings

Friend Magazine, 2023-02 Feb

When we follow Jesus Christ, we are blessed even in hard times. Read what Jesus promised us in Matthew 5 and fill in the blanks.

Illustrations by Brandon Dorman