"
What would you think of a man who would chop up a
beautiful grand piano to make firewood or use an expensive hand calculator to
pry open a desk drawer? Such destructive use of valuable resources is
unthinkable, yet there are so many in the world today who more tragically
misuse the priceless resources of mind and body and spirit"
RICHARD G. SCOTT
"Many people try to find happiness and fulfillment in
activities that are contrary to the Lord’s commandments. Ignoring God’s plan
for them, they reject the only source of real happiness. They give in to the
devil, who “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi
2:27). Eventually they learn the truth of Alma’s warning to his son Corianton:
“Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).
Others seek only to have fun in life. With this as their
main goal, they allow temporary pleasure to distract them from lasting
happiness. They rob themselves of the enduring joys of spiritual growth,
service, and hard work.
As you seek to be happy, remember that the only way to real
happiness is to live the gospel. You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as
you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of your sins,
participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service. You will
learn to have fun within the limits set by a loving Father in Heaven
Your happiness can be contagious. As others observe you,
they may desire to know the source of your joy. Then they can also experience
the happiness that comes through living the gospel of Jesus Christ."
True to the Faith
Happiness is something everyone desires. For the first time
in a long time I am feeling true happiness. For the first time in a long time
the void and burning sensation in my chest has faded away. Without even knowing
it I was homesick for my heavenly father. I was thirsty to feel the spirit more
fully in my life.
A few nights ago before we went to bed we were our kitchen
looking through church magazines when my heart was full of this warmth, comfort
and peace. I couldn't help but smile. The healing and hope I had been praying
for overcame me and for the first time in a while I feel whole.
Where did this come from? I was so caught off guard by this
sense of joy that had overcome my heart, there have been certain points through
my mission where I have felt this but not as strongly, and after wards a little
piece of that void would return. Piece by piece the savior was taking the parts
of me that were broken and mending them, piece by piece My savior was putting
me back together through His atonement He was making me whole.
"Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound
you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and cannot fix is the very purpose
of the atonement of Christ"
Boyd K Packer
That void that I felt was a thirst to grow closer to my
Savior. This sense of peace has come from living as close as I can to my
Savior. It wouldn't have been possible to find this happiness through the
world. This is a happiness that comes from following the example Jesus Christ
set up for us while He was here on the Earth. Obviously NO ONE is perfect and
we make all make mistakes. BUT it is okay, you can start out fresh, you can be
forgiven. :)
There is a sense of happiness that living the Gospel
provides that cannot be explained. It's not something that comes over night,
but through diligence, through reaaaally studying the words of Christ through
the bible and book of Mormon and then APPLYING them into our everyday actions.
The commandments are happiness. Freedom comes through the
commandments. They are the pathway to a truly joyful experience here on Earth.
Heavenly Father is perfect. He would never ask of or expect us to do anything
potentially harmful. Every law He provides is a protection.
We have such great reasons to be joyful! We are children of
our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ’s true church has been restored, the book of
Mormon has the ability to help us change our very creature as we read and apply
the words, and teaching to our everyday life. I am happy because I know that
Jesus Christ is my Savior, my brother and my best friend. The Gospel of Jesus
Christ is what makes me happy. Each day is a gift from our father in heaven.
There is a true joy that the Gospel brings that cannot be
brought in any other way. I have found that joy, and I will never forget, or
let go, I have found the peace I have searched for. It was all found in the
services of my brothers and sisters, and in the service of my god.
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