General Conference Odyssey post on the Sunday afternoon session of October 1982.
Neal A. Maxwell believed so. Not only did he believe in “gospel gladness” (which are his words), he also believed and preached of the “wintry doctrine.” How could he believe in both? His message is very relevant for our day.
It’s funny, just the other day, my husband and I were talking about recognizing real joy. We came to the conclusion that we could never feel real joy without feeling real grief. We suffer affliction so that we will turn to God for comfort. Even when we sin, repentance can fill us with pure light. And as the world becomes more and more wicked and depressing, we receive power when we recognize the blessings of gospel gladness.
There are such great scripture references given in this talk to remind us that, even though the world is falling apart, and we are all being sucked into a whirlpool of misery and affliction, we can still experience joy because we can always turn to our Savior and know and believe His promises.
Remember Alma’s words?
“My soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain?” (Alma 36:20).
Can this be us? Do we really believe what Elder Maxwell says?
“The more iniquity, the more despair. And unless there is widespread repentance, despair will both deepen and spread—except among those who have gospel gladness.”
It is gospel gladness that reminds us. We can find gladness even when all around us is wickedness.
Elder Maxwell quoted Brigham Young, who said that we can learn to be “righteous in the dark.” What an incredible visual that is for us. In our day, we have the responsibility, and ability, to stand righteously in the ever-darkening world.
This next quote from Elder Maxwell describes what might be seen as problems within our church:
“Much sifting will occur because of lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end. A few will be deceived by defectors. Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof! A few will stumble because, in their preoccupation with the cares of the world, they do not have oil in their lamps. And, again and again, those who refuse to eat their spiritual spinach will come off second when they wrestle with the world. Some, because of the scorn of the world, will grow ashamed and let go of the iron rod. (See 1 Ne. 8:28.) A few who have not been Saints, but merely tourists passing through, will depart from the path. A few, failing to be of good cheer, will even charge God foolishly. (See Job 1:22.)”
But here’s the thing. All we have to do is turn.
Whether we have marks of sin upon us, if adversity has worn us down, when our weakness overpowers our strength, while fear and depression immobilize us; none of that will matter if we turn to the Lord and give it all to Him. In fact, experiencing any of these is an invitation to turn to Him.
Maxwell’s talks were always an open invitation to come unto Jesus Christ wherever we stand in life.