The Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Cheering Sound
The restored gospel brings purpose and joy to you on your journey toward eternal life.
Light of Hope, by Simon Dewey
While serving as a mission leader in Japan some years ago, I conducted an interview with a man who had joined the Church a year earlier and was seeking to receive a temple recommend.
During our conversation, this new member described how deeply grateful he was for the blessings he had received in the year since his baptism. To me, he showed a covenant confidence resulting from his gospel understanding, which was deeply rooted in him. He was a converted disciple of Jesus Christ who had experienced a mighty change of heart (see Mosiah 5:2).
Following the interview, I told the district president how impressed I was that the missionaries and members had found, and spiritually nurtured, such an outstanding man with such potential.
I was stunned to learn that when this man began meeting with the missionaries and attending church, he was homeless and in nearly hopeless circumstances. This brother’s study of the gospel and his conversion over a period of months led to his miraculous change, putting him on a path of spiritual and temporal self-reliance and joy.
The gospel gave this brother a clear picture of the purpose of his life. Plain and precious gospel truths brought him answers to important questions of mortality. Such blessings are equally available to you and all God’s children through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Purpose of Life
The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. In his final testimony to the Church, President M. Russell Ballard (1928–2023), then–Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:
“We know who God is; we know who the Savior is because we have Joseph. …
“… How blessed we are to know what we know about our purpose in life, why we are here, what we should be trying to do and accomplish in our daily lives.”
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that knowledge includes an understanding of God’s “perfect plan” of salvation, also known as “the great plan of happiness,” “the plan of redemption,” and “the plan of mercy” (Alma 42:8, 11, 15). God’s plan “takes the mystery out of life and the uncertainty out of our future.” Essential and central to that plan and the purpose of life is “the doctrine of Christ.”
Through the gospel, we know we are children of God, sent to earth to be tried and prepared to be resurrected (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:39). We know the commandments and are taught to “know good from evil” (2 Nephi 2:5). We know we are here to love and serve and that the Savior has called us to overcome the world and to help others do the same (see John 16:33).
What Joseph Smith called “the cheering sound of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” will strengthen us during difficult days and bring meaning and purpose to us and others.
Obedience and Blessings
God has given us moral agency so that we may be accountable for our choices (see Doctrine and Covenants 101:78; see also 2 Nephi 2:16). As part of “an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11), Satan is allowed to tempt us to misuse our agency.
In our day, the Lord Jesus Christ called the Prophet Joseph Smith and “spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:17). The Lord continues to reveal His commandments and will to His prophets today because He desires to lead us to happiness in this life and to celestial glory in the next life.
King Benjamin Preaches to the Nephites, by Gary L. Kapp
Teaching True Doctrine, by Michael Malm
Joseph Smith Preaching, by Sam Lawlor
Obedience to God’s commandments should come from our devotion and love for Him. The Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). The ultimate outcome of showing our love for the Lord by keeping His commandments is blessings that bring happiness and joy (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21).
With a clear perspective of our divine origin and destiny, we know that “the very things that will make [our] mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make [our] life through all eternity the best it can be!”
Joy on Your Journey
The joyful recent convert I met in Japan years ago found the restored gospel of Jesus Christ through his diligence and that of missionaries and members. He discovered his purpose and expanded his vision of the great plan of happiness, which brought him blessings and joy that lifted him temporally and spiritually.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught:
“Because of the loving plan of our Heavenly Father for each of His children, and because of the redeeming life and mission of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we can—and should—be the most joyful people on earth! Even as the storms of life in an often-troubled world pound upon us, we can cultivate a growing and abiding sense of joy and inner peace because of our hope in Christ and our understanding of our own place in the beautiful plan of happiness.”
I offer my gratitude for, and testimony of, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the great plan of happiness. I invite you to partake of the fruits of the gospel and to feel more joy on your journey toward eternal life.