Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Join us for this meaningful episode that brings together voices from around the world in a message of hope, connection, and love.
"Brothers and Sisters! What a joy to be with you today! You, my dear friends from my sweet home of Africa! It is a great privilege to be with you today, wherever you are listening around the world. My remarks are centered on finding Joy in Jesus Christ.
Did you feel the joy radiating from the eyes of those pre-recorded choirs in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe? I felt the love of our Father in Heaven through those choirs and the Tabernacle Choir. “God knows us personally, and He loves us more than we can comprehend.” He also knows who we are becoming.
As we reflect on the song they sang, we are reminded of our daily challenges: physical pain and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, fears, regrets, despair and desperation, the injustices we face, and the emotional distress that besets us. The hymn How Firm a Foundation reminds us our Savior suffered the pain of what we are going through. He loves us and promises, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” “I am with thee,” That promise of joy is real.
Can you see how the second verse speaks of us, in every season of life?
In every condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
When storms of life come—when drought comes, when work is scarce, when sickness visits our homes—when repentance is needed—we look to Him. He walked a harder road than any of us, and He did it for us. “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.”
May we embrace the Savior’s invitation and find joy in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: … These things have I spoken … that your joy might be full.”
Joy is not a prize for people whose lives are easy. It is a gift to people who walk with Christ, even through hardship. As our prophet, Dallin H. Oaks said, “Only in Christ can our joy be full.”
To His disciples, Jesus promised: “Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” He then invited us: “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Life in Africa is beautiful, and life in Africa can be hard. But focusing on eternal life and the plan of happiness helps us find joy amidst challenges. Jesus is the center of that plan. When we look to Him, fear is replaced with faith. Sorrow is lifted by hope.
Consider this promise in the third verse of the song we just heard: Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed.
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, … omnipotent hand.
President Oaks taught: “Joy is more than happiness. Joy is the ultimate sensation of wellbeing. It comes from being complete and in harmony with our Creator and his eternal laws.” Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy depends on Christ. When we are in harmony with Him, we feel whole—even during trials. In this life, we can experience divine joy, and in the next life, we can "have fulness of joy; ... even as the Father hath given [Jesus Christ] fulness of joy."
President Russell M. Nelson taught: “When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.”
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. His Atonement and resurrection are real. Because of Him, we can have peace in our hearts and joy in our homes—from Cape Town to Cairo, from Lagos to Lusaka, from Harare to every village.
I know God knows and loves you. He knows what you are becoming. May we look to Jesus, walk with Jesus, and have joy in Jesus.
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Join us for this meaningful episode that brings together voices from around the world in a message of hope, connection, and love.
"Brothers and Sisters! What a joy to be with you today! You, my dear friends from my sweet home of Africa! It is a great privilege to be with you today, wherever you are listening around the world. My remarks are centered on finding Joy in Jesus Christ.
Did you feel the joy radiating from the eyes of those pre-recorded choirs in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe? I felt the love of our Father in Heaven through those choirs and the Tabernacle Choir. “God knows us personally, and He loves us more than we can comprehend.” He also knows who we are becoming.
As we reflect on the song they sang, we are reminded of our daily challenges: physical pain and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, fears, regrets, despair and desperation, the injustices we face, and the emotional distress that besets us. The hymn How Firm a Foundation reminds us our Savior suffered the pain of what we are going through. He loves us and promises, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” “I am with thee,” That promise of joy is real.
Can you see how the second verse speaks of us, in every season of life?
In every condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
When storms of life come—when drought comes, when work is scarce, when sickness visits our homes—when repentance is needed—we look to Him. He walked a harder road than any of us, and He did it for us. “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.”
May we embrace the Savior’s invitation and find joy in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: … These things have I spoken … that your joy might be full.”
Joy is not a prize for people whose lives are easy. It is a gift to people who walk with Christ, even through hardship. As our prophet, Dallin H. Oaks said, “Only in Christ can our joy be full.”
To His disciples, Jesus promised: “Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” He then invited us: “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Life in Africa is beautiful, and life in Africa can be hard. But focusing on eternal life and the plan of happiness helps us find joy amidst challenges. Jesus is the center of that plan. When we look to Him, fear is replaced with faith. Sorrow is lifted by hope.
Consider this promise in the third verse of the song we just heard: Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed.
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, … omnipotent hand.
President Oaks taught: “Joy is more than happiness. Joy is the ultimate sensation of wellbeing. It comes from being complete and in harmony with our Creator and his eternal laws.” Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy depends on Christ. When we are in harmony with Him, we feel whole—even during trials. In this life, we can experience divine joy, and in the next life, we can "have fulness of joy; ... even as the Father hath given [Jesus Christ] fulness of joy."
President Russell M. Nelson taught: “When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.”
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. His Atonement and resurrection are real. Because of Him, we can have peace in our hearts and joy in our homes—from Cape Town to Cairo, from Lagos to Lusaka, from Harare to every village.
I know God knows and loves you. He knows what you are becoming. May we look to Jesus, walk with Jesus, and have joy in Jesus.
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
