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<p style="text-align: center;">I remember when I was in college and dating. I used to dream about my future husband. Oh, what would he look like? He would definitely be handsome! I wouldn’t have to work anymore because he would have a successful career and I would be the perfect housewife. And my kids would definitely, always, be adorable. All my current problems as a poor college student would be gone. I’d love my family, they would love me, and we <em>would have</em> joy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">In 2 Nephi 25 it says, ” Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” We are commanded to have joy. And I believe savoring the sweet moments of life are a huge purpose of our existence. God loves us. He wants us to be happy. So what was the problem with looking forward to joy? The problem is that my focus was in the future and that my future is what would bring me happiness. My happiness was contingent upon expectations of the future rather than the present.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My impression is that this scripture in Nephi is rather commanding us to find joy in this moment. The scripture could say, “…and men are, that they might<em> have joy right now</em>!” Let go of the past. Your mistakes you cannot be undone. Those tragedies cannot be magically changed. Trust me, I’ve tried. I’ve woken up into deep sadness and wished that my reality was a nightmare. But no amount of denial or wishing has changed what has happened. And as we let our minds be stuck in the sadness, regret, and anger of the past it takes away from our present. That time and energy you spend dwelling on sadness takes away from your capacity for joy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Is God with us during these moments when joy is not easy? Yes. God is with us even when we do not have joy. During Christ’s atonement in Gethsemane our Savior calls out, “If thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” God did not take away the terrible pain Christ was feeling. But instead in verse 43 reads, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” God may not take away our cup, but he will send angels both unseen and through others.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">How can we have joy if life is full of trials? It takes courage. It takes healing. It takes patience. It takes strength. Through our trials we must find our silver linings. We must try our best to make lemonade out of lemons. In the book Pollyanna she plays a game called the Glad Game. How you play is when you feel sad you try to find something you are glad about. This week I will be playing the Glad Game.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Another way that I feel joy in hard moments is when I accept that trials, stress, pain, anger, and sadness are going to be a part of my life. That was another flaw to my college midset from earlier. My happiness was contingent on perfection. When I let go of the expectation that my life should be without trial I am better able to accept them and find joy.</p><div class=