Joy Is the Purpose of Our Creation

2 Nephi 2:25 - "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

President Russell M. Nelson - "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation...and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - "God didn't design us to be sad. He created us to have joy! So if we trust Him, He will help us to notice the good, bright, hopeful things of life. And sure enough, the world will become brighter. No, it doesn't happen instantly, but honestly, how many good things do?"

Seek this Jesus - A Book of Mormon Daily Podcast invites you to discover the joy and guidance that comes from studying the Book of Mormon everyday. This podcast would hope to just be a supplement to your studies. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:12

Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in His footsteps. Lehi's teachings in Second Nephi II are among the clearest explanations in Scripture of why we are here and what God intends for our lives. In a single powerful statement, he teaches both the reality of the fall and the purpose of mortal life. That purpose is not merely survival, endurance or testing. It is joy. Today's verse comes from that doctrinal foundation Second Nephi two twenty five. Adam fell that men might be and men are, that they might have joy. As we study this verse today, along with teachings from President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Dieter F. Utdorf, we will consider what it means to understand joy as God's purpose for our lives, and live with purpose in Jesus Christ. This is part one of two for this verse. Lehigh statement in Second Nephi two twenty five is remarkably direct. Mortality exists because of the fall, and the reason mortality exists is so that joy can be realized. Joy is not a side benefit of God's plan, it is central to it. Without the fall there would have been no mortal experience, no growth, no agency exercised in real conditions, and ultimately no fullness of joy. This verse teaches that existence itself has meaning because it leads to joy. Life is not random or accidental, nor is it designed merely to test our limits. God's plan moves intentionally toward joy as its intended outcome. That joy is not shallow or fleeting, but something that emerges from growth, learning, and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. Understanding joy this way reframes how we view opposition. Opposition does not contradict joy, it makes joy possible. The fall introduced conditions that allow choice, learning, and progress. Joy is therefore inseparable from mortal experience. Even when that experience includes difficulty, God's design accounts for struggle, but it never abandons the promise of joy as the ultimate purpose. When we read this verse carefully, we see that joy is not postponed until the next life. While fullness of joy comes through resurrection and exaltation, joy itself is meant to be part of mortal living. God's plan does not require us to wait for joy, it invites us to seek it now through alignment with his purposes. President Russell M.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Nelson taught My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation and Jesus' gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening or not happening in our lives. Joy comes from and because of him. He is the source of all joy.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

This teaching clarifies an important distinction. Joy is not the same as happiness based on favorable conditions. It is not dependent on ease, success, or the absence of pain. Instead, joy flows from focus, specifically where our lives are centered. President Nelson teaches that when our focus is anchored in God's plan and in Jesus Christ, joy becomes accessible even when circumstances remain unsolved. This does not minimize pain or dismiss hardship. Rather it acknowledges that circumstances alone cannot produce lasting joy. Joy has a spiritual source, and that source is Jesus Christ. This helps us reconcile the highest teaching with real life. If joy were dependent on circumstances, the promise of joy would feel unrealistic. But when joy is rooted in Christ, it becomes steady and sustaining. The gospel provides meaning, direction, and hope that extend beyond immediate outcomes. President Nelson's teaching also reminds us that joy is something we choose to pursue through focus. As we align our priorities, thoughts, and commitments with God's plan, joy follows. Not because life becomes simple, but because life becomes centered on eternal truth. Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf taught God didn't design us to be sad. He created us to have joy. So if we trust him, he will help us to notice the good, bright, hopeful things of life. And sure enough, the world will become brighter. No, it doesn't happen instantly, but honestly, how many good things do? This teaching emphasizes God's intent. Sadness, discouragement, and despair are not evidence of God's design feeling. Rather they are part of a fallen world that requires faith, trust, and perspective. God's intent remains joy, even when joy takes time to develop. Elder Ukdorf teaches that trust in God changes what we notice. As trust grows, perspective shifts. We become more aware of goodness, hope, and light that may have been present all along, but overshadowed by fear or discouragement. This does not deny reality, it reframes it through faith. Joy then is cultivated. It develops gradually as trust deepens and perspective matures. Just as many good things take time, joy often grows quietly and steadily. God's design does not promise instant joy, but it does promise real joy through consistent trust in him. This aligns perfectly with Lehi's teaching. Joy is not accidental or rare, it is intentional and attainable. God created mortality with joy in mind, and he provides the means to recognize and experience it through Jesus Christ. When we combine these teachings a clear picture emerges. Joy is the purpose of creation, the direction of God's plan and the intended outcome of a life centered on Jesus Christ. Joy is not earned by perfect circumstances, nor delayed until everything feels resolved. It is experienced as we live in alignment with God's plan and trust Him through the process. Living with joy as our purpose changes how we interpret our experiences. Challenges become part of growth rather than evidence of failure. Waiting becomes preparation rather than punishment. Progress becomes more important than perfection. Joy also becomes a lens through which we evaluate our focus. When joy feels distant, the question is not simply what is happening around us, but what is anchoring us. As our focus returns to Christ and His gospel, joy becomes more visible and more accessible. God's plan does not deny pain, but it transforms it. Through Christ, sorrow does not have the final word. Joy remains the destination because Christ remains the source. So here is today's challenge. This week intentionally examine where our focus is placed. Each day, take a moment to align our thoughts, prayers, and actions with Jesus Christ and God's plan of salvation. As we do, watch for small evidences of joy, not because circumstances change immediately, but because focus does. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please, don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures, because when you study God's Word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.