Reason to rejoice
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The words of the hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice" stand in stark contrast to the world's tendency to focus on bad news.
It's true, said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve, speaking Saturday morning. The world, as foretold in scripture, is plagued by wars, rumors of war and catastrophe. "But how does this affect us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Are we living with apprehension, fear and worry? Or have we amidst of all challenges, not reason to rejoice?"
All will go through different life experiences. Some are filled with joy. Others with sorrow and uncertainty.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke of a time when things looked grim for his family when he was a child. It was the cold winter of 1944 and the battle front of World War II was approaching the Uchtdorf's town in Germany. His father was away, serving in the military. So Elder Uchtdorf's mother fled with her children to the hometown of his grandparents. Bombing raids and air attacks slowed their movement to shelter and security. It was a time of darkness and coldness.
Elder Uchtdorf's father would return to the family unharmed — but their future in postwar Germany looked bleak.
"In the middle of this despair, my family learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the healing message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ," Elder Uchtdorf said. "This message made all the difference; it lifted us above our daily misery. Life was still thorny and the circumstances still horrible, but the gospel brought light, hope and joy into our lives."
The restored gospel and the family's Church membership gave them reason to rejoice.
Regardless of one's circumstance, the gospel offers the divine power to endure and overcome times of unbearable burden or weakness, Elder Uchtdorf said.
"The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, glad tidings and much more," he added. "It is the message of salvation as repeatedly announced by Jesus Christ and His apostles and prophets."
Christ's gospel is the only true gospel. Its core elements are found in the holy scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, and the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was Joseph Smith who explained the first principles and ordinances of the gospel: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, repentance. Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. And fourth, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ until the end of our days," Elder Uchtdorf said. "Isn't it wonderful? Have we not reason to rejoice?"
Following baptism, members are asked to endure to the end and remain faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
"Enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or 'hanging in there,"' he added. "Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the straight and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day.
"Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy."
