Happiness is for everyone!

''Happiness is a condition of the soul. This joyous state comes as a result of righteous living"

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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.

 

FAITH.. it's what you DO.

 

 The sidewalks in the town where I live are very peculiar.... Once they are wet from the rain they become very... slippery... We were walking to visit someone with sister west and sister su yesterday, when sister west slipped a little. I quietly giggled to myself when all of the sudden my feet were sliding out of control, at first I caught myself, when my right foot slipped into my left foot, before I knew it I was flat on my back lying there, LAUGHING. As I sat up I quickly shot glances around to see who was watching... at first I thought I got away with just the three other sisters... Then I noticed the porch across the street was full of young guys, laughing equally... or maybe even harder than we were. At this moment in my life I wanted to just lay there and disappear into the ground... But I couldn't... So I stood up and continued on walking, or more so running to the front porch of whom we were about to visit. Although I felt embarrassed I continued on. Throughout the rest of the day I thought to myself... Had I stepped more cautiously after seeing sister west slip, had I walked on the grass instead, I felt as though all dignity had been lost.... FOREVER... okay maybe not forever. My ego would someday repair itself. You get the point I am sure.

  Anyways.... It’s not about the fall, what I could have done to prevent the fall, or who was watching, all that mattered was GETTING BACK UP. President Uchtdorf did an amazing talk at the priesthood session this year about getting back up. (YOU CAN DO IT NOW!)

  We all have that "If I would have...." "I should have..." "If only I didn't..." "How could I???" "What was I thinking..?" "I should have gone here 10 minutes later..." "Why didn't I follow that gut feeling?'' Moment in life. STOP RIGHT THERE. Don't think another should have, could have, or would have thought. You can't change your past however; you can change your future.

  Step into the future with a new brightness of hope. Remember how it feels to think should have, could have, would have.... Remember how that moment feels and move forward doing the best you can to avoid those thoughts in the future.

  How blessed are we to have a loving Father in Heaven that knew we would step off the path, slip and fall while on the path and occasionally feel like all is lost. He knew we would come to Earth and it would become hard to stay focused on His glory, therefore, He created this perfect totally flawless plan that would make it possible for all to make return to him some day as long as we exercised our freedom to choose for righteousness.

REPENTANCE IS REAL. To repent is to CHANGE. As we repent we receive a fresh view on life, ourselves, others and Our Heavenly Father. 

Although in that moment when I slipped and fell, I didn't want to face the porch of men, I didn't want to stand back up, It hurt my pride, my backside and maybe even ego... however, I stood up. If you fall off the horse, YOU GET BACK ON before fear has a moment to step in. Fear that it isn't possible, fear that it's too late, fear of not being enough. You are enough! It is never too late! IT IS POSSIBLE!

 Through Christ it is possible to stand back up. No matter what amount of pain, no matter how humiliated we feel, it is all possible. He overcame the world so that we wouldn't have to. He suffered so that we won’t be alone. He lives and He loves us all.

Looking Forward With Hope.

 

 Disney Movies can be so wise. I was watching Lion King a little over a year ago when Refikki said the wise phrase "The past can hurt, You can either learn from it, or run from it" The last option He failed to mention is "To live in it" I feel like to live in the past can be toxic to our future progression.

 Change is often difficult; it's one of those things that just come with life. The past may hold things such as: memories that are most cherished and held close to the heart, moments of joy, moments we regret, memories of a lost loved one, or friends that have come and gone through certain phases of our life. 

  In my short 22 years of life I have experienced a lot of different things. I have lost quite a few dear friends that I will forever cherish until I can meet them again on the other side, I have had friends come and go, and I have had friendships that I hope will last through the rest of time and eternity.

  We all make choices that we wished we had listened to the council of our parents, we all have regrets, and we can either let the consequences of those actions turn us bitter or better. Today as I was pondering how to live in faith for my future. The thought came to my mind "Don't let the past make you bitter, allow it to make you become better"

  How is it possible to live in Faith and Hope for the future when at times You have had many people from the past use you, walk on you, or make you feel like You could never measure up?

  That answer is so simple yet can be so hard to act on, that answer can only come through God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

2 Nephi 4:34

 Everything has their opposite, fear and doubt are opposed to faith and hope, where fear is faith cannot be, and where faith is fear cannot be either. It's just like as we turn on a light switch light chases away the darkness. Fear and faith simply cannot coexist. Fear is a choice. We choose how certain things from out past will dictate our future.

"4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Ether 12:4

 Just as fear is a choice, to have faith and hope is a choice. I choose now to have Faith and Hope that all is in the hands of my savior, to have hope in the future that things will come together better than they have in the past.

"6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Ether 12:6

 Faith is for that which is hoped for but not seen. We cannot see into the future and we cannot hope for the future if we constantly catch ourselves looking to the past. Heavenly Father is aware, He knows what is hard for us, and He created us and knows how to fix us when we are broken.

“When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard, and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Those great gifts will not be destroyed, even by death.”

—Russell M. Nelson

When you feel as though you are alone, remember you are not.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Alma 7:11-12

Succor: help or relief for somebody or something in a difficult or unpleasant situation.

To Succor: help, relief, aid, support, assistance, rescue, and comfort.

 At times we find ourselves in unpleasant situations, Let Christ in and allow him to succor you, allow the healing to take place, move through the past, and welcome the future in hope. Move forward in faith knowing that things are okay, they are in the hands of the lord as long as we are doing our best to keep His commandments, to walk in His light, and to follow His words. He has promised to never leave us as we are doing what we are supposed to.

"10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Doctrine and Covenants 82:10

 He lives, He loves us, He answers our prayers, He is here to free us from captivity caused from life, caused from the lack of regard on others part, to rescue us from sin, to rescue us from pain, to free us from sorrow. Christ is the light, He is the way to inner peace, and He is the hand that can guide us to most joy.

 There is a happiness I have found through my Savior that I could never describe in words. I know that it has come through diligent study, and action upon what I study in the Book of Mormon and Holy Bible each and every day. There is healing when we are in the service of God, and our fellow brothers and sisters. There is a peace that cannot come in any other way except through our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Let go and love.

Charity: The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection;

the pure love of Christ.

"46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

  

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

" Moroni 7:46

"As we increasingly think and act like Him, the attributes of the natural man will slip away to be replaced by the heart and the mind of Christ."

-GENE R. COOK

Of the First Quorum of the Seventy

 As we pass through our life here on Earth we go through experiences, some that I am sure we wish we didn't have to endure. We meet people who are easy to love, and people who... well who aren't. we have experiences of joy, and pain, we have moments that we wish could last a life time, friendships that are meant to be only for a season, and friends that we will keep for all time and eternity.

We all have that friend that can stretch the truth, or that is there upon condition. We all have that friend who is there through the thick of it, the friend that when they promise to be there you know with out a doubt you can count on them, that they will keep there word to be there for you.

There was a scripture I found once while I was studying the pure love of our Savior, it reads:

"8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8 The Joseph Smith translation reads "for charity PREVENTETH a multitude of sins"

"Charity preventeth a multitude of sins". With charity there would be no more deception or secret intentions. Integrity, virtue and honesty would over power all. No one would lie to cover their tracks, there would be no more jealousy. Our thoughts and actions towards others would be wholesome and kind. Our friendships would be built on solid foundations of trust. We would strive a little more to keep our word, for we wouldn't want to let another down, we wouldn't want others to lose trust in who we are because we would be full of perfect love as the Savior is. His love is with out end. No matter how many times we turn our back, walk away and leave him behind, he awaits us in the future with his arms extended and ready to take us by the hand.

"In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something."

-Dallin H Oaks

To become something... Being on mission has taught me many things, one of the greatest lessons i have learned is to be full of integrity and love toward my brothers and sisters. To become a true follower of Jesus Christ it's crucial to follow His example of honesty, integrity, virtue, and charity. Thoughts lead us to action. Pure thoughts make pure actions, thoughts of charity lead to acts of kindness. To become something more, its time to strive each day to be a little more, to be better, to let go of the natural man and become more as He, more like Jesus Christ.

If we constantly think negative thoughts toward others our actions will soon become in sync with those thoughts. We all have become hurt by the lack of regard by another person and as well as we need to love, we must let go and forgive. The atonement of our savior Jesus Christ is the greatest act of charity ever. He gave his life so that we could be forgiven. As well as we desire to be forgiven it is required the we to forgive.

"45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Moroni 7:45

Charity is long-suffering, it is patient. Charity gives us the ability to over look the weaknesses of others, the ability to see the world through Christs eyes, rather than to see one in their weakness we can see them as what they will become, their divine qualities and potential. Through Christ we can be full of this kind of love, we can let go of anger, we can let go of envy, we can overcome fear, we can let faith step in, the Saviors Atonement can begin to work within us and we can move forward into a bright future full of hope, faith and love. Love for all men. 

I am learning to become something more. I am learning the steps to take to become a new woman through Christ. To change my character and become more like Him. To let go of doubt, and fear. To let go and to love. 

 

My testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith.

 OH how I can not wait to meet this Man some day. After I meet the Savior of course.

  Joseph Smith a fourteen year old boy with a heart full of faith, the desire to become His most divine self, a question and a prayer that has, and will continue to change to world forever...

 At a young age Joseph Smith was concerned for the welfare of his soul. He wanted to be with God forever, however... He was unsure how that was possible. 

 His parents were grand examples, they taught Him as much as they knew about God, they lived in a dark time where original truths were lost. Yet were unsure of how to find it. 

 Families were torn apart, friendships were lost, and many Churches were rising. Confusion was growing.

  As He continued to grow His concerns deepened, each Church claimed truth, He knew not which one to join. Therefor he turned to The Bible, as he studied He learned there was one Lord, One Faith, and ONE baptism. Which one was THEE FAITH? That's what he needed to figure out. He had the true desire to find out. He found in the Bible James one verse 5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Thats when he knew, He needed to do JUST as it says and ask God. How to ask? He was unsure. One day He entered into a grove of trees now known as the sacred grove, He began to pray out loud. I would try to explain his experience in my own words but I could never do it justice! This is what He described:

"15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

 17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

 18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

 Many people did not believe that Joseph had seen a vision, for as far as they knew God had ceased to do so, however... Our God is an unchangeable God. If he ceased to do miracles than He would be a changeable God. He has revealed His truths to prophets of old, so why would He not follow that same pattern and reveal His truths to Prophets today? 

"24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

 25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

Now before my mission I struggled to fully KNOW that Joseph Smith was in deed a Prophet, when I got called to serve HERE at the sites where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored... I felt very inadequate. As time is passing and I stand in the grove of trees where God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph Smith there is a feeling within this grove that I could not deny. That Joseph Smith did indeed see Jesus Christ as He explained. 

 The way my testimony has become strengthened is by ASKING God, by reading the Book Of Mormon, and by submitting my stubbornness and my desires to bring them inline with God.  The next part to James 1 is verse 6

" 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

 If you feel like it is impossible to believe, put your faith to the test, and ask God. Joseph Smith KNEW with all He was that God would answer Him. I have grown to know over my short 22 years of life that Joseph Smith did indeed restore the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth again.  The world was in a great need of a restoration and not a reformation. He brought back original truths that had been long since lost. He brought back the TRUE light of Christ to a world.

 The world we live in today has become so dark and so twisted, it seems as though there is no hope. I know that there is, and the only way that hope can be found is through Following The Savior Jesus Christ, by living the teaching of Jesus Christ presented through the Book of Mormon. To study the Bible, and The Book Of Mormon together. To reaally feast upon the words of Christ. The Book of Mormon has FOREVER changed my very being. The more I read it and live what I read, the closer to Christ I grow, and the MORE happiness I have found. Not just happiness, but PURE JOY. Joy in Christ. My Savior. My king, My best friend, My EVERYTHING.

"7 ¶Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 5

I know that God calls Prophets today just as He has in times of old. He loves us all and He wants ALL of us to live with Him FOREVER. 

" 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

 Amos 3:7   

 Joseph Smith History