March 2020 Come Follow Me Ministering – Joy of the Saints

This month, the March 2020 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable ties together Elder Christofferson’s 2019 October General Conference talk “The Joy of the Saints” and Elder Bednar’s talk “Watchful unto Prayer Continually” with this March’s “Come, Follow Me” lesson on Enos.

These ministering printables are a great way to help families incorporate the “Come, Follow Me” lessons into their own study. They are also perfect for Young Women’s, Relief Society or Sunday School.

Download March 2020 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable

Since we are talking about joy, I decided to pair the printable with an Almond Joy candy bar. Or you can pair it with these cute charm pendants that say, “Find Joy in the Journey.”

March 2020 Come Follow Me Ministering Printable

Joy of the Saints

In the October 2019 General Conference, Elder Christofferson talked about Enos and the “joy of the saints.” As luck would have it, we are also covering Enos this March in “Come, Follow Me!”

Enos, the son of Jacob, was out hunting in the woods and reflecting on the words of his father. Enos shares, “The words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart” (Enos 1:3).

In his talk, Elder Christofferson focuses on the joy of the saints and how we obtain it. I know this sounds crazy, but when I think of the joy of the saints, I think about the difference between skiing and roller coasters. Now stick with me – I’ll explain why.

Skiing vs. Roller Coasters

I tried skiing once and it was a disaster. My feet naturally point out like a duck. I couldn’t make the pizza-wedge shape with my skis that is supposed to slow you down. On one of the more daring bunny hills, I found myself going faster and faster as my feet angled out further and further apart. I was in trouble! So, I stopped the only way I could think of. I fell forward and used my face as a brake. It was so bad that I heard everyone in the lift line groan in unison.

With skiing, I am completely reliant on my own skill, the conditions of the mountain, and chance. Can I ski well? Is the snow icy? Will I accidentally run into a tree? Will I break my leg?

Modern-Day Iron Rod

But roller coasters are totally different. It has nothing to do with my skill, only my willingness to get on the coaster. Once on, I strap in and rely on the engineers who built it. At big amusement parks, I have faith in the expertise of the engineers based on their credentials and the fact that thousands of times people have gone on the ride and gotten off safely. Roller coasters at traveling fairs are another story. I don’t trust anything that gets disassembled regularly.

On a roller coaster my only job is to follow the rules. I buckle my seat belt properly, stay strapped in, and keep my arms and hands inside the vehicle. As long as I follow the rules, I know that I will arrive safely no matter how wild the ride.

This is why I love roller coasters. I love the thrill, the heights, the falls, the excitement, and the wind in my face. While on the coaster I can focus on the adventure without having to worry about whether or not I will end up in the ER.

So when Enos talks about the joy of the saints, I like to think he is talking about the roller coaster kind of joy. It is the joy of the ride, knowing that the master engineer knows what He is doing. Knowing that no matter how far we plummet to the ground, we will make it back home safely as long as we stay strapped in and keep our arms and hands inside the vehicle. During the loop de loops it is easy to get mixed up on which way is up, but I know I can trust the path I am anchored to. Roller coasters are almost like a modern-day, much more exciting iron rod!

Faith in Christ Brings Joy

When Enos prayed, he was worried about his sins and the future of his soul. He was so worried that he prayed into the night. He longed for the joy of the saints and eternal life. And you can feel his relief when the Lord answers Enos, letting him know that his sins were forgiven. Enos feels joy because he trusts in the master engineer, “And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.”

That is joy – knowing that through our faith in Christ our sins can be forgiven, we can be made whole, and we can obtain eternal life. It is not careening down a hill with all our imperfections hoping our own skill and luck will keep us safe. My apologies if you are an avid skier. You probably have a lot more skill to rely on than I do!

Enduring Joy

In the same General Conference, Elder Bednar shared, “The Father’s plan of happiness is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them experience enduring joy, and to bring them safely home to Him with resurrected, exalted bodies. … I testify that pressing forward on the covenant path provides spiritual safety and invites enduring joy into our lives.”

When I see the ups and downs in my life as a thrilling roller coaster instead of a death plunge down a mountain, I can start to enjoy the ride. I know that someday I will live with my Heavenly Father again. I know that I will look back at this life and have joy in what I have experienced here. I also know that with the proper perspective and focus on Christ, I can experience that same enduring joy right now in this life.

Did you like this March 2020 Come Follow Me Ministering Message? Find more Relief Society Ministering Printables for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.