The world with all its ugliness makes it difficult to see the “Plan of Joy.” We hear of the plan of salvation, the plan of happiness, but seldom of the “Plan of Joy.” The Book of Mormon, states, “Adam fell that men might be, and men are that he might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)
Satan’s Plan
Satan is successfully getting many to act according to his promptings. His intention is to create contention, hate, envy, wars, rumors of wars, depression, and that suicide is a way out. Instead of Sabbath worship, sports, and leisure activities take precedence over keeping the fourth commandment. There are all kinds of sexual distortions and deviations that take away from the sacredness of the husband-and-wife relationship. The great importance of family is being diminished, which is the most precious and most important unit in time and eternity.
The Fullness of Joy
The Savior descended below all and then ascended above all to open the door to the greatest joy in this life and a fullness of joy in the life to come. His glorious resurrection, the seventh step and capstone to the infinite atonement, brings us back into the presence of God and opens the door to receive a fullness of joy for all those who will embrace the grace and mercy offered by His infinite atonement. It is hard for most to look through the ugliness—all pain and suffering—and see through the clouds of darkness to the fullness of joy offered. They fail to see the beautiful full colors of the rainbow and the abundant life extended by the Savior and the joy and sunshine that shines so brightly in God’s presence.
Scriptural References to Joy
Let’s look at some of the beautiful references to Joy. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, and peace. As we come to Christ, we find this most delicious fruit, and we know nothing is more desirable. The Prophet Lehi describes: “And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.” (1 Nephi 8:12)
Just before working out the infinite atonement, the Savior said: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)
“For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy; And when separated, man cannot receive a fullness of joy.” (D&C 93:33-34) The glorious resurrection opens the door to fullness of joy. The resurrection, as the capstone to the infinite atonement, offers this “fullness of joy.” “Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” (D&C 101:36)
“The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 29:19)
As the Prophet Nephi shares a Hebrew Midrash on Isaiah discussing our day he proclaims: “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (2 Nephi 27:29-30)
In the same midrash on Isaiah chapters 2-14, Nephi shares many major insights about our day, and we know that Satan and all who follow him will be destroyed, as the Lord comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords during HIs glorious millennial reign.
At the birth of the Savior, the angel proclaims the glad tidings of great joy. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) The promise is “to all” who will come unto Him.
Just before working out the infinite atonement, He said to the Twelve Apostles, “And ye now, therefore, have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16:22)
The Apostle Paul enumerates: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23)
Love is the first law of heaven, and those who live that law of love will have a “fullness of joy.” We cannot imagine a better plan. All the imperfections of mortality will be made right through His infinite atonement while opening the door to all who will receive Him a fullness of joy.
Nephi does a Hebrew Midrash on Isaiah 50, 51, 52:1-2 in Second Nephi 9—giving us one of the best treatments of the infinite atonement. There Nephi shares, “But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.” (2 Ne. 9:18
King Mosiah promises: “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness [fullness of joy]. Oh remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” (Mosiah 2:41)
We have the remarkable conversion story of King Lamoni’s father: “And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.” (Alma 22:15)
Following his complete conversion example, thousands of Lamanites followed the king’s complete conversion as well—anticipating the fullness of joy the Lord promises.
Alma in his exuberance to share the glorious gospel message states, “Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! … But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; … for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire… whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction…
“For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, …yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy;” (Alma 29:1-10)
Alma, in sharing his own conversion experience with his son, Helaman. He describes the joy that filled his soul: “And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.” (Alma 36:20-21)
And the Lord promises, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15-16)
Glorious Anticipation
We live in that day in glorious anticipation of the return of our Lord and Savior. Satan, knowing it is his last hour, is pulling out all stops to turn people away from the Lord. Atheism is on the increase. Suicide rates are epidemic. Satan has cleverly made the ethics of the Bible unteachable—turning the masses to his worldly ways. He does everything he can to cover up the “Great Plan of Joy” available to all who come to Christ.
At the same time, many are waking up to the fundamental importance of liberty, of truth, of true love, and to the Lord’s light. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) Further, the Lord warns and promises, “ Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” (D&C 101:36)
Who is Jordan Peterson?
Jordan Bernt Peterson, 60, is a clinical psychologist, author, and major media personality from Alberta, Canada.
Recently, Peterson shared his profound insights as he came to know God: Jordan Peterson’s INCREDIBLE Journey To GOD | Heartbreaking Moments on His FAITH – YouTube. Jordan is the world’s best psychologist, and in his pursuit of truth is doing an enormous amount of good in the world that is spiraling down. In spite of not having the blessings of the fullness of the restored gospel, his accomplishments are incredible. However, he lacks the vision of the “fullness of joy” the Lord has in store for the righteous.
Help the Father’s Work
The best thing we can do is to help the Father in His work, “This is my work and my glory (Joy) to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (Jn. 15:8) Then we can join with all the other great missionaries saying, “This is my joy.” In His infinite love, He offers “The Great Plan of Joy.
David W. Allan
PS You can reach me at gospelquestions7@gmail.com