96- 12/9/24

 Hello Family,

There are lots of reasons for us to be feeling joy this week. Another school semester is about to be over, and a needed and deserved break is right around the corner. Emma and Noah can literally say “we are getting married next week!” Little Lainey is going to become an official teenager on Sunday. And it’s Christmas time!

But the greatest joy that we get to experience is the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings into each one of our lives, and to us as a family collectively. 

Mama and I were in the temple this week participating in sealing ordinances. To hear over and over the promised blessings to faithful husbands and wives, and to children being sealed to their parents is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. What our loving Heavenly Father has promised us, and that He promises to all of His faithful children, is incomprehensible joy and happiness. 

I was reading the following scripture this week in my personal study found in Hebrews Chapter 12:1-2

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Invitation: 

My invitation this week is to ponder the answer to the question: What was the joy that was set before our Savior? What joy would allow Him the fortitude and strength to see His great atoning sacrifice through to the end? What joy did he know, or could He comprehend, that allowed him to utter the words, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”?

We likely can’t answer this question fully, but this much we do know:

1. He has an unwavering love for His Father. Our Heavenly Father’s will, was going to be His will, no matter the cost
2. Jesus Christ’s unconditional love for each one of us, and the possibles of our happiness, no doubt contributed to the joy that was set before Him
3. And all that His Father is and has was promised to Him

“And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.” D&C 84:38

And because of His matchless love for us, and His great Atonement wrought out in our behalf, we, in the most merciful, loving, and gracious way imaginable, have been given the opportunity to also become joint-heirs with Christ, receiving all that our Heavenly Father has.

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“A joint-heir is one who inherits equally with all other heirs including the Chief Heir who is the Son. Each joint-heir has an equal and an undivided portion of the whole of everything. If one knows all things, so do all others. If one has all power, so do all those who inherit jointly with him. If the universe belongs to one, so it does equally to the total of all upon whom the joint inheritances are bestowed” (Mormon Doctrine, 395).

We cannot comprehend all these blessings, but we have each felt the joy of His love for us. So this week, and this Christmas season, let us ponder on the joy that He has set before each one of us. Let us leave every weight and burden at his feet. Let us lay aside every sin that so easily besets us. And let us be patient with ourselves and with each other as we faithfully strive to follow Him, our Heavenly Father’s greatest gift, and  “Joy to the World, Jesus Christ.

I love each one of you with my whole heart, and I hope you know that you bring your parents so, so much happiness! Love,

Dad

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