Joy in the Morning

Alma 37

Alma gives the plates and responsibility for them to his son, Helaman. Much counsel is given as well – counsel we should all take personally. The bottom line to all the counsel is this: If we keep the commandments diligently and with strictness, we can expect the Lord's guidance just as the Nephites received guidance from the Liahona as they traveled from Jerusalem to the promised land.

In v13, Alma tells Helaman to remember how strict the Lord's commandments are. But there is that promise again: “If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land – but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.” Why is it so easy for some to turn away from the wisdom of his counsel – especially when they experience for a short time the truth of it. As I have watched two daughters embrace for a short period the blessings of the temple, they seemed to have blessings poured out upon them. I believe they couldn't see those blessings as well as they should have. People just appeared in their path to help them. They glowed. You could see they found joy in their lives – for a time. They gave up, however. They couldn't find joy in what was, because it wasn't the joy they were anticipating. The Lord blesses us in the ways he sees fit and is best for us. We must learn to see those blessings.

It is difficult for me to read my scriptures these days without slipping into the temptation to think “if only” as regards these two lovely daughters. For some reason, my thoughts went to the words “Joy in the Morning” as I read today. I did a search on my scriptures app and discovered Elder Nelson's talk with this title. I took a break from reading my scriptures to re-read this talk. It is a classic and should be read again by all.

I liked Elder Nelson's thought that morning generally isn't the best time to look at ourselves. As I age, I can second that thought, however, he mentions that if we can look in the mirror without remorse for acts done the night before, there is true joy in the morning. Amen!

Back to the scriptures. Alma counsels Helaman to preach repentance, faith, meekness, and to withstand every temptation of the devil with faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. (v33) Why? Because these steps will lead us to Joy in the Morning. It is a process, but one that will come to fruition if we are diligent in these efforts.

He teaches him to never weary of good works. Again, why? It is the good works we do that will bring us true joy and as we look in the mirror in the morning, we will find joy even though at times there will be fatigue.

It is wise, as Alma counsels Helaman, to learn these things in our youth. (v36) Why? Because the things for which we gain an appetite in our youth will remain with us all our lives. If we are raised on a diet of service and the joy it brings, we will desire it as we grow older. It will become a need even.

And my favorite – a scripture mastery, I believe: v35-37 “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support. . .in thy doings. . . whithersoever thou goest. . .thoughts. . . affections of thy heart (dating). . . Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings and he will direct thee for good; yea when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” Indeed, you will have joy in the morning – in this earthly life as you wake in the morning as well as on the morning of the resurrection.

So how does this apply to me today. Let my doings of this day be unto the Lord. Seek His counsel in what I should be doing that when I wake in the morning, there will be joy for the gift of time the Lord has given me.