Be of Good Cheer

“Never be discouraged. If I were sunk in the lowest pit of Nova Scotia, with the Rocky Mountains piled on me, I would hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I would come out on top.”—Joseph Smith


“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” (D&C 68:5–6.)



Oct 1982 Maxwell Be of good cheer he recounts how Paul, Jesus, Joseph Smith & Brigham Young all had troubles yet were counseled to be of good cheer because so much good was to be done in the future…past that tough time.  I just thought of giving birth.  How hard that is n yet the future time of what was once indescribable pain is now indescribable joy as I watch my children grow & become wonderful talented, capable adults.  Just the same as I must look beyond those days of horror, sadness n loneliness of my youth & see who I am because of it.  See that it is now amazing & I lack for nothing. 

Instead, Jesus calls upon us to have a deliberate trust in God’s unfolding purposes, not only for all humankind but for us individually. And we are to be of good cheer in the unfolding process.

"Moreover, that continuum of conflict will culminate in “a full end of all nations.” (D&C 87:6.) Meanwhile, let mortals, if they choose, put overreliance upon mortal arms. As for us, we shall “put on the whole armour of God”! (Eph. 6:11.) And in the midst of such affliction, if we are righteous and we die, we die unto Him; and if we live, we live unto Him. (See D&C 42:44.)"

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July 2011  Be of good cheer…choosing happiness

Cheerfulness in the scriptural context connotes a divinely assured optimism, “a deep trust in God’s unfolding purposes,” a grounded conviction that God will always keep His promises.2

True happiness and satisfaction are found only by turning away from the world and coming to Christ.

After suffering physical and emotional persecution throughout years of missionary labors, Paul landed in a Roman prison and then declared: in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
“I have “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11–13).
He who is the Balm of Gilead (see Jeremiah 8:22) is the Lord of all creation; only in Him are peace and serenity found. Amid all our mortal gloom and doom, Jesus Christ has overcome the world. Come, let us rejoice.

“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. … It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.”

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He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.  d&c 78:19

“Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Psalm 100:2
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”

Matthew 14:27
“Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”

Doctrine and Covenants 78:18
“Lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the comman