Why Should Disciples of Jesus Christ Have Good Cheer?

 My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 3 Nephi 1-7 in a lesson titled “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer.” The introduction to this lesson reminded me of this quote from Charles Dickens in his A Tale of Two Cities: 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

A Tale of Two Cities is a story of London and Paris during the French Revolution described by the above quote. The scripture block for this week’s lesson also describes a challenging time. Do you see any connections between the Dickens quote and the introduction to this lesson? 

In some ways, it was an exciting time to be a believer in Jesus Christ. Prophecies were being fulfilled – great signs and miracles among the people indicated that the Savior would soon be born. On the other hand, it was also an anxious time for believers because, in spite of all the miracles, unbelievers insisted that “the time was past” for the Savior to be born (3 Nephi 1:5). These people caused “a great uproar throughout the land” (3 Nephi 1:7) and even set a date to kill all the believers if the sign prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite – a night without darkness – did not appear.

In these difficult circumstances, the prophet Nephi “cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people” (3 Nephi 1:11). The Lord’s response is inspiring to anyone who faces persecution or doubt and needs to know that light will overcome darkness: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; … I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoke by the mouth of my holy prophets” (3 Nephi 1:13).

Today we live in another time of great darkness and great signs, great promises, and great miracles – the last days before the Savior Jesus Christ returns to earth. Just like the ancient Nephites, we can be comforted by following the counsel of Christ: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer…” (3 Nephi 1:13).

There are several principles in this week’s scripture block that I could discuss: “Becoming converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ requires patience and effort” (3 Nephi 1-7); “The Lord will fulfill all His words in His time” (3 Nephi 1:4-21; 5:1-3); “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 1:4-15; 5:12-26; 6:10-15; 7:15-26); “When I exercise faith in Jesus Christ, I don’t need to fear” (3 Nephi 2:11-12; 3:1-26).

I feel prompted to discuss this principle: “Because of Jesus Christ, I can ‘be of good cheer’” (3 Nephi 1:1-23). Heavenly Father knows that each of our lives will include moments that are difficult, even frightening. However, His expectation for each of us is that we will experience joy. The Savior used the phrase “be of good cheer” on several occasions.

My first occasion was when a ship holding his disciples was “tossed with waves” and Jesus went to them “walking on the sea.” The disciples were “troubled” when they saw Him, thinking that he was a spirit. He called out to them, saying. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:24-27).

My second occasion was when Jesus Christ was discussing His death and resurrection. When He finished, He said this: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

My third occasion took place in modern days when Joseph Smith and ten elders were traveling down the Missouri River in canoes. They experienced many dangers on the third day of their trip, and Joseph Smith received this revelation: “And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you” (Doctrine and Covenants 61:36).

My fourth occasion also took place in modern days when the Lord commanded Joseph Smith to establish a storehouse for the poor.

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him. even an hundred fold, yea, more (Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19).

My fifth occasion comes from this week’s scripture block about the good and the dreadful things that happened prior to the visit of the Resurrected Jesus Christ to the ancient inhabitants of America. Nephi the prophet cried mightily to the Lord because the non-believers said that the time had passed for the fulfillment of the prophecy, and all the believers would be killed.

12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets (3 Nephi 1:12-13).

My final quote comes from President Russell M. Nelson. This quote comes from a talk by President Nelson at the October 2016 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The title of the talk is “Joy and Spiritual Survival.” At the time, President Nelson was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Today he is the Lord’s prophet living on earth today. 

My dear brothers and sisters, today I would like to discuss a principle that is key to our spiritual survival. It is a principle that will only become more important as the tragedies and travesties around us increase….

Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding,” He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension. For example, it doesn’t seem possible to feel joy when your child suffers with an incurable illness or when you lose your job or when your spouse betrays you. Yet that is precisely the joy the Savior offers. His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment” and be consecrated to our gain.

How, then, can we claim that joy? We can start by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” “in every thought.” We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.

Joy is power, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”  Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home – clean and worthy – to live with our Heavenly Parents and families.

We can “be of great cheer” by expressing gratitude for the blessings that we have, keeping the covenants that we make with God, and by focusing on the joy that can be ours.