"That They Might Have Joy" | David A. Bednar | 2018

The world we live in is often turbulent. But, if we turn to the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can find peace. All the Savior taught was given "that we might have joy."
This speech was given December 4, 2018.
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"My beloved brothers and sisters, there is an understandably subdued spirit on the campus of Brigham Young University today. I have thought about you and the student involved in the incident yesterday without ceasing since I learned of this episode.
This morning I arose very, very early, and I would like to share with you briefly just a few thoughts that may be of some assistance to all of us. I invite you to consider and to connect four things.
First, consider the titles used to describe the Lord Jesus Christ by Isaiah: “Wonderful, Counsellor [please note the word counsellor], The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”1
Connect that title of Counsellor to this verse from Alma: “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.”2
Connect those verses to these lyrics in the hymn “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” from Sister Emma Lou Thayne:
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.3
Last, connect those lyrics to Alma’s description of the Savior:
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.4
With all the energy of my soul, I bear witness that the Lord Jesus Christ lives. These are not words on a page in a book. These are literal, actual spiritual truths. And as His servant and in His name, I promise you will receive the counseling you need from the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace.
Susan and I are grateful to be here with you. We love you, and we love Brigham Young University.
I desire and pray for the assistance of the Holy Ghost for you and for me as we focus now together on things of eternal worth during this devotional.
Learning from the Lord’s Servants at BYU
An important time of learning for me started on this campus in 1970. I attended San Leandro High School in the East Bay Area of California from 1967 to 1970. It was a turbulent time with anti-Vietnam War protests, political assassinations, and social upheaval. The Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco and Telegraph Avenue near the campus of the University of California at Berkeley were two major epicenters of dramatic drug, music, sexual, and cultural revolutions. Only a few Latter-day Saints attended my high school, and my ward had a very small group of youth.
I moved into Helaman Halls in August 1970 and quickly became acquainted with many diverse and faithful young men and young women. That fall semester was a life-­changing time for me because of spiritually powerful sacrament meetings and service in my student ward, stimulating academic classes and supportive teachers, and a strong brotherhood that developed with my dorm friends as we played intramural sports, talked late into the night, and perpetrated typical but harmless freshman pranks and practical jokes.
My experience at BYU was “spiritually strength­ening,” “intellectually enlarging,” and a preparation for “lifelong learning and service.”5 And most important of all, I met Susan Robinson on this campus after I returned home from my mission in 1973. She has been the love of my life for almost forty-four years.
As I started to think about and prepare for this opportunity to speak with you, I reflected on the devotional experiences I had as a BYU student."

[@deggertsen]

This talk saved me from a dark time in my life. Thank you!

[@jobiquirobi123]

Me encanta oír al Elder Bednar, tiene un enfoque muy peculiar de enseñar principios eternos.

[@brizkitnull]

Talk really starts at 13:19

[@janellebird3771]

Oh how I love the Lord so Much! To send such tender mercies into and threw the mouths of others into our hearts and minds alike❤

[@nicoledeloncrais5940]

This extraordinary, beautiful soul/ apostle, is truly plugged into the Lord and graciously shares, guides and leads so powerfully yet with great compassion and laser clarity. What a great gift to this aching and chaotic world. 🙏🏻📚Thank you kind sir

[@sarahlilledal5]

Very powerful and inspiring talk! Thanks Elder Bednar! Greeting from Norway!

[@tworandy]

Excellent talk. Thank you for your powerful witness.

[@keithnoakes1316]

The word brings light to the mind and life to my actions

[@OMspot2277]

Ezekiel chapter 1- page #: 1027 Yoke yourself to the wheel of Christ. Revelation 2: 21-27 Everyone… Look at the serpent. Satan truly has no power. Once we figure out who satan really is, you will facepalm yourself so hard. That “little guy on your left shoulder” really has no power over you. It can never ever harm you. The “other guy on your right shoulder”. Can give you everlasting, endless, and a fullness of never ending joy.

[@TechnoPeep84]

Yin-Yang Is The Universe...It's Two Opposing Forces Coming into One Body to Destroy All Darkness or Evil!! For Most Things You Can't Trust Your Youthful Instincts as Much as Age Learned Wisdom - For the Prior Will Lead You into a Rebellious Unhappy State, While God will Lead/Refine You To Shine Brightly as a Diamond in the Rough...Forever Brilliant!!:)

[@OMspot2277]

10:00-10:17 is powerful. Wow! Did you hear the thunderous clap of truth strike you to the core of your heart?

[@ildenete3235]

Eu simplesmente tenho que ler Hebreus , estou feliz hoje pelo dia no Templo, cansado sim mas cheio do Espírito. Anotei para não perder nada me esquecendo. A minha hora mais inspirada é pela manhã, então não posso deixar de anotar o dia de hoje e o dia de amanhã. Amo meu Pai Celestial e Jesus Cristo amo esta obra, feliz e grato por saber que Eles confiam em nós para fazer sua obra .

[@nenitaortega6430]

Thanks for sharing talk ,its true love you

[@starlegends3092]

I'm making this comment in July, but I love Christmas!

[@mapitsithamaga-xn3oi]

This is so angelic, thank you

[@starlegends3092]

Such a good talk

[@pastorgabrielle311]

Hi 😍

[@adamtanderson75]

What was the incident that he talked about at the beginning?

[@scoutneptune5040]

I want to know as well!!

[@piqey]

​@@scoutneptune5040 "BYU student critically injured after fall in Tanner Building," December 3, 2018. It appears they passed away in the ICU two days following.

[@MamaJLW]

Unfortunately it wasn’t an accident. This student took her own life. It puts a different perspective on Elder Bednar’s remarks about our Savior Jesus Christ and His roles in our lives.

[@amandastakeonit7402]