In his talk in General Conference, Elder Carlos Godoy of the Seventy repeated the phrase “smiling faces and grateful hearts.” My wife and I had the opportunity to serve twice in Accra, Ghana. The second time we were blessed to serve at the Ghana MTC and for a brief time at the MTC in Kinshasa, DR Congo. We were always uplifted by the smiling faces and grateful hearts of those young missionaries. We were also touched by the smiling faces and grateful hearts of the members, the MTC teachers and staff, and the mission leaders who touched our lives.

Having these experiences does not mean that they were problem-free. We have been taught that our lives are not meant to be problem-free. But isn’t it how we approach the problems that gives us the ability to have smiling faces and grateful hearts? In John 16:33, (one of my favorite scriptures), the Lord says: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

We often read the first part of the Book of Mormon when Nephi gratefully and faithfully accepts the responsibilities and challenges of what the Lord commands. “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3: 7). By contrast, his brothers Laman and Lemuel always complained or as the scriptures call it, they “murmured.” Here is the lesson for us: to remember to be grateful and have smiling faces even in the face of adversity, challenges, and opposition in all things. At least three times during general conference, we heard the quote from our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson:  “… Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year! … the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.” (Russell M. Nelson, Joy and Spiritual Survival, General Conference, October 2016).

Many of the young missionaries in Africa came from homes where they lived in very humble circumstances. Some came with only one or two white shirts and a well-worn, ill-fitting pair of shoes they inherited from an older brother. Nevertheless, they found joy in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and came to serve with smiling faces and grateful hearts.

Personally, I believe that it doesn’t take much talent to murmur, criticize, or complain. And it only takes a slight attitude adjustment to have smiling faces and happy hearts.

Adjusting to Missionary Life provides the following suggestions and tools to help us make that attitude adjustment:

  • Recognize the hand of the Lord in all things. You have a front row seat to the greatest miracle of all: the effect of Christ’s Atonement on individuals and families. Practice focusing every day on the blessings you are grateful for. Notice the Spirit’s influence in your life, and write about it. (See Moroni 10:3.)
  • Focus on the needs of those you are serving. Think about what you can do to bless those around you. Seek inspiration on how you can serve them and strengthen their faith.
  • Sing. Memorize the words to a few of your favorite hymns. When you are feeling stressed or discouraged, sing to yourself or with your companion. “Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace” (“First Presidency Preface,” Hymns [1985], x).
  • Serve from your strengths. Make a list of your strengths, talents, and spiritual gifts. Your strengths are part of the Lord’s storehouse, from which He draws to bless His children and build His kingdom. A crucial part of your life’s mission is to cultivate your gifts and consecrate your strengths to help others come to Christ. Focus more on what you do well than on what you do wrong. Plan ways each week to develop and use your gifts to serve and bless others (see D&C 82:18–19).

In his talk “Be of Good Cheer” (General Conference, October 2020), President Dallin H. Oaks said the following:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith was taught that “the works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:1). To His struggling children, the Lord gave these great assurances:

“Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

“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” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:5–6).

The Lord stands near us, and He has said:

“What I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you” (Doctrine and Covenants 61:36).

May the Lord bless us to feel His love, be of good cheer, and have smiling faces and happy hearts as we serve in the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.