Sunday Reflection: HAPPINESS

Proverbs 16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."   See also Proverbs 29:18; John 13:17; 1  Peter 3:14

I found this scripture in my daily scripture thought book.  I love it. 
The prophet Joseph Smith taught, " Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end therof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255-56.)

We all desire happiness.  Everything we do is probably motivated by the desire to be happy.  Right?  We all just want to be happy in this life.  What is required to obtain happiness?  A relationship with God and keeping His commandments.  I truly believe this.  People might think I'm whacked but I know it's true in my heart.  Nothing else will bring us true happiness.  Eternal happiness.  I will even venture to say peace.  We all seek peace as well.  Peace and Happiness.

No earthly possessions or status or whatever you seek to obtain in this life will bring you greater peace and happiness than knowing you are a child of God and trusting in Him and keeping His commandments. 

Satan does not want us to know this.  He will do everything in his power to have us believe that we don't need God to be happy.  He wants men to remain in a carnal state.

The Book of Mormon speaks of men that are in a “carnal state … and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.” (Alma 41:11.) It also records Samuel the Lamanite’s warning to the Nephites: “Ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.” (Hel. 13:38.) Alma sums it up: “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10)

 I almost think some people are out to prove that they can in fact find happiness without God in their lives and just as the Nephites in the Book of Mormon they seek for happiness in doing iniquity.  Unfortunately, they will never find it.  Oh sure, they can have happy moments but when it comes to true peace and happiness and contentment....it won't be there, not until they understand who they are as a child of God and gain a personal relationship with Him and with the Savior of us all will they ever be able to know true joy.   Don't you just wish you could knock people on the side of the head sometimes and wake them up and say, "C'mon!!"    It's just so frustrating that they will so easily listen to the world and are so stinking stubborn when it comes to God.  Why?  I just don't understand???  

Anyway, on another note....Trials are another necessary part of this life that can have an impact on our happiness.  We have the ability to choose happiness (God) or misery(Satan for he wants us all to be miserable like him)

Here is a story found in the Ensign that illustrates how we may choose our response to our trials and tribulations as told by  Elder Jack H. Goaslind of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy (May 1986), "Over one hundred years ago a Swedish family who had joined the Church faced a long ocean voyage to America, a train trip from New York to Omaha, and then a trek by wagon train to Salt Lake City. During their train trip they rode in stock cars used to haul hogs. The cars were filthy and filled with hog lice. On their wagon trip across the plains, a healthy baby was born, but their three-year-old contracted cholera. During the night, the father went to a neighboring wagon to borrow a candle, but was told they couldn’t spare one. This angered him, and he fumed as he sat in the dark with his son’s limp, feverish body in his arms. The boy died that night.

The next morning the wagon master said they would hold a short funeral and bury the boy in a shallow grave. They were in Indian country and didn’t have time to do more. The father insisted on staying behind and digging a grave deep enough so the animals would not disturb the body. They experienced other hardships before they reached Salt Lake City.

Now, both the mother and the father experienced the same trials, but the father became withdrawn, cantankerous, and bitter. He stopped going to church, found fault with Church leaders. He became caught up in his own miseries, and the light of Christ grew dimmer and dimmer in his life.

On the other hand, the mother’s faith increased. Each new problem seemed to make her stronger. She became an angel of mercy—filled with empathy, compassion, and charity. She was a light to those around her. Her family gravitated toward her and looked to her as their leader. She was happy; he was miserable. (See Ensign, Feb. 1981, pp. 54–55.)"

It is my testimony that we can find true peace and happiness in this life when we know God and keep His commandments.  If we trust in Him and rely on Him through our trials and adversity we will still be able to find joy and peace and happiness in our lives despite them.

My Daily Scripture

My family and I are currently studying the New Testament and I am personally studying the Book of Mormon. I'm going to post a scripture each day or two that stands out to me in my reading. Tonight I just happened to open to Revelations. Very fascinating book that I'm now excited to get to in our family study, yet a little fearful too because some of the stuff that happens in the end seems kind of scary. I did come upon this page by Bruce R. Mconkie that sums the book of Revelations up pretty well.  Very interesting!  Anyway, that's beside my point.  Here is something from my read in the Book of Mormon tonight: Mosiah 4: 41  These are the words of a righteous King named Benjamin unto the people of his kingdom before he leaves the earth and bestows his kingdom upon his son. He counsels them to serve their heavenly King,

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."  

I like this scripture because part of what motivates me to keep God's commandments is not only my love for God but I truly want to be able to experience never-ending happiness.  I don't think I can really comprehend what that means exactly but I want it.  I think of the times when I'm the most happy which is when I'm with my family and/or  Kary's family and we are having fun just being together.  It's always a let down when we all have to go home.  So a feeling of never ending happiness and never having to have that let down feeling is something I look forward to.

Sunday Reflections: Be of Good Cheer

My Mom's side of the family has a motto that we strive to live by. It is, "Be of Good Cheer!"  We have the quote from Thomas S. Monson and there are several scriptures also that remind us of this. Here are a few of my favorites:

D&C 68:5-6 "Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

  Wherefore, be of good ^acheer, and do not ^bfear, 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, that I ^cwas, that I am, and that I am to come"

D&C 78:18 "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.  the kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Marvin J. Ashton wrote, "Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy....With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light."

I love that.  In each of these scriptures we are reminded to "be of good cheer" because Jesus is there for us.   We don't have to carry our burdens alone.  We each have burdens or trials that we carry on our shoulders. Life doesn't always turn out the way we plan.  "Things" happen (that's putting it mildly...ha ha) that sometimes we just don't have control over.  Knowing that we have a loving Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ by our side really does provide a way for us to still experience joy.  The Lord will stand by us, he will lead us along.  We have the promise of eternal riches and blessings. This knowledge brings ME personally so much hope, which in turn allows me to feel cheerful and bright about each day and about our future.  If I didn't have this knowledge then I would probably be a cloud of gloom and doom. Life would be plum depressing.  But nope, I choose to trust in Father above and lean on my Savior.  This is what brings me happiness and hope for my family now and the future.

 Let us all "BE OF GOOD CHEER!"

Sunday Reflection

I have been trying to come up with something to write about today and my mind is blank.  Maybe as I type something will come to me.  Today was Fast and Testimony meeting in church.  This is a day the members of our church go without food for 2 meals and then give the money they would spend for those meals to the church for the poor and the needy. Our Sacrament meeting that day is a time when members of the church are able to get up and share the testimonies they have of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyway, I felt the Spirit so strong in the meeting today.  It was so sweet to listen to the heartfelt messages that were shared today.  It is so great to share our testimonies with each other as it edifies and lifts us and helps us want to do better. I woke up in kind of a sour mood this morning so it was great to go to church and feel the Spirit and have my spirit fed.

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Every year the women of our church hear messages from the leaders of the church that are specifically for us.  One message stood out to me as I listened tonight.  It was such an uplifting and inspiring message.  I want to share it with all the women I know.  I want them to be uplifted as I was.  Here is the message you can watch if you would like. President Uchtdorf is an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I absolutely loved his metaphor.  I suddenly want to fill my home with sweet little Forget Me Nots as a reminder to me of these wonderful things.   Something that really stood out to me was to not forget to be happy now.  Don't wait for our Golden Ticket to be happy.  Sometimes, in our situation,  I find myself wishing and hoping for our Golden Ticket that Kary will be able to see and walk and do things he used to do and for him to be able to start working again.  I find myself wishing that day would come sooner than later. I realized today that I need to be happy with where we are and enjoy what we DO have. I am happy but I don't think I have really appreciated the little things.  When Kary was working I always wished that he could just stay at home and be with us.  Well, what a blessing it is to have Kary home with us and share each moment of our day.  Not many Dads get to experience that. We have 2 beautiful children who are healthy and happy.  We have a home and food to eat.  We have wonderful friends and family surrounding us.  Our life IS beautiful.  We are truly blessed.  Our Father in Heaven has not forgotten us.  He loves us and I know His hand is in our lives and I'm truly grateful that we can depend on Him. 

Sunday Reflections: September 4, 2011

Do we recognize the blessings of our loving Father in Heaven each day of our lives?  I think that we underestimate His hand in our lives sometimes.  Here are some of the things that show God's hand in our lives. We have food on our table enough to eat, a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, a place to rest our heads every night.  Every day we get to live is a blessing.  We never know when our time will end here on earth.  Every minute we get to spend with our children and loved ones is a direct blessing from God.  Being blessed with healthy, happy children is a blessing. God blesses us with wonderful friends and neighbors who are watchful and mindful of us. He blesses us with strength to carry out our duties each day.  He blesses us with strength to endure trials.  He blesses us with talents.  Really the list is endless.  Every moment, every second, every little thing in our lives from the food we eat to the air we breathe, to having money to provide for our families, to the people in our lives:  All direct blessings from our Father in Heaven.  

I wonder about my friends and family who have no desire to recognize God in their lives.   It's hard for me to fathom.  Is it pure pride and stubborness?  Is it the fact that they want to be independant and not rely on anyone...not even God.  Do they get satisfaction believing that they don't need God in their lives to succeed?  I just want to shake them and tell them how much greater life would be if they WOULD recognize God in their lives and let Him be a part of their lives.  Their lives are a gift from God.  He loves them and yet they rebel and turn away from their one true source of Happiness.  I wonder how they would feel (for those who are parents) if the child they gave life to turned away from them and wanted nothing to do with them. I wish they could understand that that is what they are doing to their Father in Heaven.  Turning from the one who gave them life and everything good in it.  He wants to bless them with everything He has to give.  All they are required to do is to believe in Him and to keep His Commandments.  Do they purposefully turn away from God because their friends and family so desperately desire them to turn to God and they would feel like they were giving in and not being strong and independant?  It's just SO FRUSTRATING to me.  Why do they have to be so stubborn?  Partly its because there are so many people of the world who tell them that they don't need God.  They think that they can be happy and successful without God.  Which in some degree is true but it does not last. True and everlasting peace and happiness will only be found by turning our lives to God, keeping His commandments, and recognizing His hand in our lives.

Sunday Reflection: July 30, 2011

So I have decided that I would try and write something every Sunday regarding some aspect of the Gospel.  It is good for me to reflect and be reminded of all the wonderful things the gospel brings into my life.  I watched this  Video today and I really enjoyed it and it made me reflect on how much joy and peace is brought into my life knowing that I have a loving Father in Heaven. I know I can go to Him for anything.  I tell him my every day struggles.  I thank Him for all that He has given  me. I ask for comfort and strength to make it through each day.  He is always there for me even when I do something wrong. I need to try and be more like Him as a parent to my own children.  I want to be someone that my kids can come to for comfort and strength and for answers.  I don't want them to be afraid to talk to me. I want them to know how much I love them unconditionally.  To love unconditionally does not mean we don't get reprimanded or scolded for things we have done wrong, however.  We need to be told when we are doing wrong.  We need to be taught what is right. God has given us His commandments. We must obey or suffer the consequences of our actions.  Just because we scold our children and reprimand them does not mean we do not love them.  I would say on the contrary.  We do those things BECAUSE we love our children.  We want to prevent them from getting hurt.  We know of things that will hurt them and do our best to teach them to stay away from those things.  God does the same for us.  That is why we have the commandments.  God also know the things we should do to bring us happiness in this life.  I'm grateful for the tools my Father in Heaven has given me in this life to make it through each day.  I know that when we are obedient to God's laws that we are blessed.
Don't we want to prevent our children from experiencing as much grief and pain as we possibly can by teaching them how to avoid it? That kind of reminds me of a story of a man who needed a wagon full of supplies to be pulled up a steep, narrow mountainside by a team of horses.  He needed a good driver.  He interviewed 3 men.  The first one said he could get within a few inches of the edge without falling off.  The second said he could get as close as he could to the edge without falling off.  The third said he would stay as far away from the edge as possible.  Which did he hire?  Of course, the third one.  We want to teach our children to stay as far away from the edge as possible to prevent anything bad from happening to them.  I have also had a conversation with someone who has said that as long as her kids are happy doing what they are doing she'll let them do it.  Do you see the danger in this?  Being young and innocent, children do not often see the dangers that their actions may bring.  It is our duty to teach them and to warn them of dangers ahead.  How many of us would let our children swim in a river near a whirlpool?  We would want them to stay as far away from it as possible.  So, we would set boundaries for them.  They would know that if they stayed within these boundaries they would be safe, but if they wandered outside of those boundaries that they would be harmed or even killed.  These boundaries are the same as God's commandments for us.
I have rambled a bit.  It's good for me to think about things.  I really want to teach my children to do what is right.  This world is such a crazy world full of dangers.  I hope they will make good choices that will lead them away from danger and keep them safe.  I also know that they will be blessed with happiness if they do make good choices and follow God's commandments.  This is my greatest desire for Colton and Chelsea.  I know they won't be kept from heartache and pain in this life but I hope they will come to the knowledge of their loving Father in Heaven and want to do His will so that He will be there for them at all times.