What Brings Joy?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Helaman 1-6 in a lesson titled “The Rock of Our Redeemer.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

The book of Helaman records both triumphs and tragedies among the Nephites and Lamanites. It begins with “a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites” (Helaman 1:1), and the difficulties keep coming throughout the record. Here we read about political intrigue, bands of robbers, rejection of the prophets, and pride and disbelief throughout the land. But we also find examples like Nephi and Lehi and “the more humble part of the people,” who not only survived but thrived spiritually (Helaman 3:34). How did they do it? How did they stay strong while their civilization began to decline and fall apart? The same way any of us stay strong in the “mighty storm” the devil sends to “beat upon [us]” – by building our lives “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, … a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).

This scripture block teaches numerous principles, but I feel prompted to discuss a principle found in Helaman 3:24-35 “Faith in Christ fills my soul with joy.” In Helaman 3, Mormon described a time of rejoicing when the Church was so blessed that even the leaders were surprised. After reading the following verses of scripture, what do you think led to that joyful state?

24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance.

25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure.

26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked –

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

31 And in this year there was continual rejoicing in the land of Zarahemla, and in all the regions round about, even in all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.

32 And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, and also there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges.

I believe that one reason for the great joy was humility. The people were humble enough to recognize that their blessings were coming from God, and they were grateful for them. However, not all members of the Church continued in joy. What differences do you see between the people described in the following verses? What do you learn from their example?

33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church – not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God –

34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

One part of the people looked at their blessings and prosperity and became prideful. In their pride, they began to persecute the people who remained humble and to afflict them. However, the people, who stayed humble, fasted, prayed, and grew in faith in Jesus Christ, continued to feel joy and comfort as their hearts were purified and sanctified. They yielded their hearts to Christ, and He purified them and sanctified them. The above scriptures show a phenomenon known by some as the “pride cycle.”

One Come Follow Me podcast discussed the pride cycle and gave me greater insights into something that I have studied for many years. The basic pride cycle is terrestrial in nature. It consists of Prosperity/Righteousness, which leads to the sin of Pride, which leads to greater Sin, which leads to Destruction, which leads to Sorrow, which leads to Humility, which leads to Repentance, which leads to Blessings, which leads back to Prosperity/Righteousness.

However, the podcaster divided the basic pride cycle to give greater understanding. Part of the terrestrial pride cycle is the telestial pride circle: Pride leads to Sin, which leads to Destruction, which leads to Sorrow – which leads to greater Pride in the situation. People in the telestial pride cycle harden their hearts so much that they do not become humble enough to repent and turn to God.

The celestial part of the terrestrial pride circle goes a different way. The people who are Prosperous/Righteous stay Humble and Repentant, which brings greater Blessings and more Prosperity/Righteousness. This type of person rejects Pride with its following problems and goes right to Humility. They recognize that all people are children of God, and we all have a responsibility to help each other.

The people going through the terrestrial pride cycle feel joy part of the time and sorrow part of the time. The people going through the telestial pride cycle feel sorrow all the time, while people going through the celestial cycle feel joy all the time. Whether people feel joy or sorrow depends on the choices they make and the actions they take.

A picture of a pride cycle can be seen at this site.