Reflections on Marriage―J is for Joy
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My favorite hymn as a teenager was, More Holiness Give Me. It is still one of my favorite hymns today. The words to the first verse are:
More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.
Tragedy Strikes
The text and music for this beautiful hymn were written by Philip Paul Bliss (1838–1876) a faithful, popular, Evangelist singer and songwriter. At the age of 38, Phillip and his wife, Lucy, died in a terrible train accident during a winter storm, leaving behind their two young children ages 1 and 3. This was a tragedy which stunned the nation.
The words in the next to the last line, “More joy in his service,” described Phillip Bliss’s life. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord through his music. In the 1995 Ensign, there is an article that uses Bliss’s tender words, “More joy in his service,” as the title:
More Joy in His Service
Much of the Savior’s ministry consisted of teaching and helping those around him, one by one. We too can contribute by serving others, one by one, through small, simple acts of love. And those often in most immediate need of our service are our families. President Harold B. Lee declared that the most important part of the Lord’s work we will ever do will be “within the walls of your own home.”
The Savior identified others who also need our help. Among them are the “fatherless and widows” (James 1:27) and those who are struggling with weakening faith, diminishing physical abilities, disease, and discouragement. Within our communities, genuine concern shown through charitable acts and Christlike service can bless individuals and families.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has identified the joy we receive for the good we may do: “In any land, in any city, in any home, in any life, there are opportunities all around to stretch our lives and our interests in behalf of others. … If we want joy in our hearts, if we want the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, let us forget ourselves and reach out. Let us put in the background our own personal, selfish interests and reach out in service to others.”
If you want more happiness in your marriage, serve others more frequently and unselfishly. You will find true joy.
JOY
Joy
in marriage comes
from Christ-like service,
first to one
another, and then
to those around
you, as you
unselfishly use your
talents to help
carry burdens and
give comforting relief.
Fulfill ye my joy,
that ye be likeminded,
having the same love,
being of one accord,
of one mind.
—Philippians 2: 2
(An excerpt from ABC’s for a Happy Marriage: A Collection of Original Poetry and Biblical Scriptures)