KnoWhy #372 - Why is Joy Associated with Temple Work in the Scriptures? (3 Nephi 17:17–18)

Latter-day Saints have long been taught that they can find joy in serving in the temple. Many ancient saints spoke of the joy they experienced while being in or near the temple. For example, Psalm 16, which has been called “a prayer for admission to the temple,” declares that “in [God’s] presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11; cf. 21:6). This joy that is found in the temple and its teachings is also emphasized in the account of Christ’s visit to the Americas in the Book of Mormon. In 3 Nephi 11, when Jesus descended from heaven, He met the people at the temple in Bountiful, where they were overcome with joy and He declared that His joy was full (3 Nephi 17:17–20).

In the temple, we can be united with our Savior and our Heavenly Father, and experience this exceeding, unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:8; 4:13) that exists in Their presence. We can be filled with the Holy Ghost, which carries inexpressible feelings of joy into our hearts. In the temple, we can do work that is acceptable and pleasing to God. There, we can realize that joy is our purpose and our destiny.