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.

Sunday Reflections: Our Hands-His Hands

I have so much in my heart that I don't know how to adequately express to those who have helped us in so many ways since Kary's stroke.  I found this video of a girl who has cerebral palsy and her experience.  The things she expresses are exactly my thoughts.  I could not express them better than she did.  It is a very humbling experience to constantly be on the receiving end of service.  We are ever grateful though because without all of you this earthly experience that we are having right now would be a lot harder.  We pray every day for strength to endure our trials.  God does strengthen us.  One way he does is by sending His earthly angels to minister unto us and help lighten our burdens.  Even if it's a visit from someone, a note, or a phone call or a meal....these little things mean so much to us and truly help lighten our load.  It is nice to know that there are so many people that we can rely on when we truly need it.  Your Hands are His Hands...and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

We have felt so blessed through our trials.  We truly hope that we also can be His hands in some small way.  The only way we can truly show our gratitude is by doing what we can to serve others as well.  This is one of my goals this year...to truly give where I can give...serve where I can serve....just do what I can to help others.  I know that when we are in the service of our fellowmen we are in the service of our God.  Thank you to so many people who have served as such examples to me.  I hope to be like you all someday.

Sunday Reflection: Death and Family Relationships

So, I have a dear friend whose mother passed on a couple of weeks ago.  I've been thinking about her alot as I know she and her mother were very close.  I think about my own mother and how I would feel and how hard it will be when she passes on to the next life. 

Death is a hard thing.  I have always had a hard time saying goodbye to people whom I love dearly.  When I was a missionary for our church there were times that I got transferred to different areas in the mission.  I sometimes would just leave without telling anyone because the thought of having to say goodbye to these people that I had grown to love so dearly was too hard on me.  I always hate saying goodbye to family when we have family gatherings or when they come to visit us.  There is always an aching and a void felt when we have to part ways. 

The one thing that brings me comfort of parting with family and death is knowing that if I live the commandments of our Father in Heaven that we will be together in the next life.  The Savior provided a way for families to be together forever.   HOW AWESOME!!!  This knowledge really does help me want to be a better person because I know that this blessing will only come if I am obedient to the commandments of our Father in Heaven.  I don't want to be alone in the next life.  How sad would that be? 

I'm grateful for our loving Father in Heaven who loves us and has a plan for family relationships  to continue hereafter.  Our Savior Jesus Christ provided a way for us to be resurrected and we may all be with Him and our families in the next life if we do what is right.

Sunday Reflection

Wow. I don't want to go into too much detail but we have had some things occur in the last day or two that have been extremely humbling. What I can say is that our faith and testimony in Christ have once again been strengthened. Also, we are extremely grateful that there are such great people in this world who epitomize what it means to be a true follower of Christ.  This whole experience with Kary having a stroke has opened our eyes to so many different things.  It has made us want to be better people.  Mostly because of the awe inspiring example of others. 

I have recieved a witness this weekend that our Father in Heaven does know us.  He knows our situation and the struggles we are going through.  He knows it is not easy.  But He also knows that it is for our good.  The Holy Ghost has witnessed to me this weekend that God will help us through our trials.  He has not left us alone to endure this trial on our own.  He knows His children, and those who follow Him and trust in Him are placed strategically by Him in this world exactly where they need to be and when they need to be there. I'm grateful for the people that God has placed in our lives.  These MANY MANY people have NO idea how much they mean to us and how much their love and support helps us keep going forward and helps us stay positive.

I know my Savior lives.  I know He loves me.  He loves us all.  I hope that I can share with others the joy and peace that following Him and worshipping Him and trusting in Him brings me and my family.

Reflecting on 2 years ago

I have just been looking over the pictures of Kary from two years ago and it's such a miracle that he is where he is right now emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I love this time of year as we get to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Also at this same time since it is so near the onset of Kary's stroke 2 years ago I can't help but reflect on that event as well.

Tonight our son said our family prayer for the evening and like he does every time he prays he asked for Daddy to be able to move his left arm and leg. We are happy to report to you that Kary is beginning to be able to lift his arm up from his shoulder out. Kary told our son that he knows why he has been able to lift his arm up recently. He told our son that it was because of our son's prayers in his behalf. Our son has bronchitis right now too and he prayed that he would get better. After Kary told our son the reason for his arm raising, our son replied, "Yep, we just have to have faith." Out of the mouth's of babes. I'm so glad that our son has a testimony of prayer and that God hears and answers our prayers.

I want to take the time to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support. It means the world to us. We have truly been blessed to have so many wonderful people be a part of our lives.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and again offer our many thanks for all of you and your love and support. May we all let Jesus into our lives and experience the joy that comes from following His ways.

Much love,

Kary and Sharee Smith Family

Sunday Reflection: What Think Ye of Christ?

In the October 2011 general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks began his address by quoting a profoundly important question the Savior asked long ago: “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42).
Elder Oaks then declared, “With those same words I ask my fellow Latter-day Saints and other Christians what you really believe about Jesus Christ and what you are doing because of that belief.”
This Christmas season, take time to consider what you believe about Jesus Christ and how that belief shapes your life. You could watch or listen to Elder Oaks’s conference address .

I will quote one of my favorite hymns as it portrays the way I feel about my Savior much more adequately than I could express myself.  It is the words to the song, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" Feel free to watch this video and listen to the beautiful words here

"1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738–1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835
 

I truly love my Savior. I want to do what is right and follow His commandments. I know that I fall short a lot. Every day. But, I'm so grateful that I'm able to repent and try and do better each day. Jesus told us to love one another as He loves us. Some of my goals are to be more kind, more gentle, less judgemental, and serve others more often.

I love the Christmas season because it is a time that we unite in joyous remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ . May the Holy Ghost witness to us the truthfulness of His birth and His earthly mission and invite us all to come unto Him and be His true disciples in every word and deed; not just through the Christmas season but every day of our lives.

Sunday Reflections: He doth immediately bless you

Okay, so tonight I read from the Book of Mormon a powerful address given by a king to his people.  King Benjamin.  What an awesome man he was and a righteous leader.   He was getting old and knew he would soon die and so he wished to address the people in his kingdom.   He talked about how he had labored with his own hands to serve his people and that he had not sought gold nor riches of them. He had ruled with equity and fairness and tried to teach his people to keep the commandments of God.   He said these things not to boast of himself but for them to learn that when they are in the service of their fellow beings they are in the service of their God. (Mosiah 2:17)  He talks about how indebted we are to God for giving us breath, and supporting us from one moment to another.

I'll quote Mosiah 2 vs. 23-24...

"23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

 24 And secondly, he doth ^arequire that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately ^bbless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever;..."

I found this statement "He doth immediately bless you" if we do as God commands interesting because as I look back in my life I have definitely seen how God has immediately blessed me in my life as I have tried to keep his commandments and do His will and not my own. 

Here is one example:  After I returned home from serving 18 months as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California I was 23 years old and was pretty clueless as to what I was to do next with my life.  Before my mission I had recieved an Associates degree in Arts and Sciences.  When I returned from the mission I had NO desire to go back to school whatsoever.  I wanted to find me a man, get married, and settle into family life....like everyone else in my family seemed to have done so easily.  I thought this was a pretty righteous desire.  However, I had the thought come to me and I know this thought came from Heavenly Father in answer to my prayers as to what to do with my life, that I would not get married until I finished school...meaning for me to finish 2 more years of school.  I was like, "What? No, no, no!!  I don't like school!  I'm not good at it.  I don't want to!  I can get married before I finish school.  I'm cute enough...I can find someone before I have to do that."  (Seriously, these were my thoughts...ha ha!)  The impression in my mind was very firm.  But, I'm a little stubborn.  Those of you who know me can vouch for that.  So, what did I do?  Enroll in school?  Nope.  I got me a job as a full time receptionist, went to a singles ward (a place where only single people in our church attend meetings), and thought for sure that would land me a man.  Well, two years later....nothing.....not even a serious boyfriend.  (just a bunch of weirdos!)  So, I finally come crawling with my head down and say, "Okay, Heavenly Father, you were right.  I'm not going to get married until I finish my degree.  I'll do it your way."  So, I enrolled in school...2 years later finish up my Bachelors in Behavioral Science....  Now here comes the "he doth immediately bless you" part....  The VERY day, repeat...the VERY day I graduated from college is the day I met Kary.  NO KIDDING!!!!!  After this experience I have really tried to trust in God and His plan for me.  It hasn't always been exactly what MY plan would have been.  But it is my testimony that He definitely knows best and He DOES immediately bless us when we do His will and keep His commandments. I try not to be stubborn anymore because I know He is all knowing and sees the big picture and knows what is best for me. I hope others can learn from my stubborness and not be too stubborn.  =)

Here is another example....we have been commanded to pay our tithing which is ten percent of our income to the Lord through His church.  I think I've told this one before, but after Kary and I had Colton we decided I should stay home and be with him.  So, I had quit my job and we relied only on Kary's income.  At the time, this was very hard on us financially.  We were always in the red at the end of the month.  We both had gained testimonies of paying our tithing before but this would really put us to the test.  Kary decided to get another job so that I could stay at home.  The very day that he was supposed to start his second job his boss from the 1st job found out about it and told Kary not to take this second job and gave Kary a very significant raise.  An immediate blessing from paying tithing.

These are just a couple examples of the many witnesses I have had of keeping God's commandments and doing His will and being blessed immediately.  I know it is God's will for us to experience our current situation.  I know he blesses us on a daily basis in so many ways.  I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father and that I can rely on Him.  What peace and comfort that knowledge brings to me. 

Just a final quote from King Benjamin in the same chapter..vs. 41 "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."