The Path to Happiness
Filed under: Finding joy within the gospel, Fruits of gospel living, Joy in our relationship with the Savior
Often, I have quoted the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith when he declared: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, 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, pp. 255–56.)
How to be happy seems pretty clear, then. As long as we are on the path that he describes, we’ll be happy. But how do we get on that path? How do we stay on it? President Thomas S. Monson, then a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, described in his article entitled “Happiness—The Universal Quest” (Ensign, Oct 1993, 2,) the ways that we can get on the path and stay there.
First, the path of virtue. The dictionary proffers the definition of virtue as “conformity to a standard of right: … a particular moral excellence,” the beneficial qualities of “strength or courage”—even “valor.”
Temptation comes to all of us, there are none who can escape its reach. However, we are not left defenseless in the face of such trials of character or moral courage. The Apostle Paul assured us that “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13.)
President Monson said that our conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge. And I love that because all of us have that little voice in the back of our mind that whispers to us about the choices we are making—most of us can accurately distinguish between right and wrong, it’s just whether we choose to listen to that voice of reason or not that determines how we might act. We must “Learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come”(D&C 59:23.)
Second, the path of uprightness. Few of us live perfectly upright lives. Perhaps none before or after Job have truly attained this righteous goal. However, Job didn’t live a perfect life—far from it. His life was beset with trials worthy of the most unlucky soul on earth. Yet, his moral compass never faltered and he never gave in to the temptation to just give up.
Dr. Karl Menninger, stated that the only way our suffering, struggling, anxious society can hope to prevent its moral ills is by recognizing the reality of sin. That’s the theme of his famed publication, Whatever Became of Sin? a plea to mankind to stop and look at what we are doing to ourselves, to each other and to our universe. Dr. Menninger referred to Socrates, who wondered, “How is it that men know what is good, but do what is bad?” Said Dr. Menninger, “I have come to the conclusion that the ‘Everyone is doing it’ morality which characterizes our public-business world is crippling people. We must believe in our personal responsibility to correct our individual transgressions—the white lies, the petty cheating, the apathy, which characterize our passive existence.” He further stressed, “If the concept of personal responsibility and answerability for ourselves and for others were to return to common acceptance and man once again would feel guilt for sins and repent and establish a conscience that would act as a deterrent for further sin, then hope would return to the world” (See Karl Menninger, Whatever Became of Sin? (New York: Hawthorn Books, Inc., 1973.)
Third, the path of faithfulness. This path connotes allegiance, loyalty, and adherence to promises. Faithfulness does not take holidays or days off. We can’t be faithful one minute but not the next. It is constant by its very definition.
The key to faithfulness is to have your goal in mind and to never waver. N. Eldon Tanner declared: “I would rather walk barefoot from here to the celestial kingdom … than to let the things of this world keep me out” (In Conference Report, Sept.–Oct. 1966, pp. 98–99.)
I often quote Captain Nesmith from the movie Galaxy Quest, “Never give up—never surrender.” And so too, must we never give up our quest for true happiness, nor surrender our virtue and moral values to get there.
Fourth, the path of holiness. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ entreated all of us to follow His righteous example, to live as He lived. He spared no needy person His time or His compassion. He gave of his help however and whenever he could. And He wanted us to do the same.
If we walk in His footsteps, this will lead us to on a holy path, which path leads to happiness in this life and joy beyond imagining in the life to come. Few of us will attain the sort of holiness we associate with the Savior, but what a glorious life it would be if we only tried.
Fifth, keep all the commandments of God. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21.)
I testify that as long we keep our sights set on our eternal goal and strive to keep our feet soundly on the path that leads us home, we will experience happiness, even joy, every day of our lives. This is the life God intended for us to have. He wants us to be happy. Let’s not disappoint Him.
Happiness is the Ultimate Treasure
Filed under: Finding joy within the gospel, Fruits of gospel living, Joy in our relationship with the Savior
The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church,) has a wonderful way with words. Long before he became our Prophet and Seer, I enjoyed listening—and learning—from this great man.
Twice a year Mormons enjoy a General Conference, during which time we are taught by the leaders of our Church—including our Prophet. In April of this year, President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk I thought you could benefit from.
President Monson taught us about “Treasure of Eternal Value” (Ensign, Apr 2008, 4–9.) He said that there are three key components to living your life worthy of “joy unspeakable and eternal happiness hereafter.”
Those three keys are:
1. Learn from the past.
2. Prepare for the future.
3. Live in the present.
Today, it is not popular to speak of God and His importance in our lives. However, there was a time when God shaped a man’s destiny—particularly for those men and women who settled the United States in their efforts to assert religious freedom for themselves and their children.
We are the blessed descendants of such people—whether we live in the United States or in regions around the world—our parents knew the value of God and sought to include Him in their lives.
We would do well to learn from their example and to strive to emulate it.
Learn from the past.
People have been trying, from time immemorial, to see into the future. Many have claimed they could, but most of us cannot. In lieu of sure knowledge, we must be prepared. Oftentimes that requires a sacrifice today, but if we will keep our sites on our goal, we’ll know the sacrifice is worth it.
Also, we must pray daily to our Father in Haven, who loves us, because He will guide us in the way we should go—he wants each of us to succeed in life and prayer will help us stay on the right path.
Prepare for the future.
Too often the old adage “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” is ignored as we daydream of the past and long for the future. But doing so robs us of our today, and today is the only guarantee we have.
We should never take the blessings we enjoy today to be forgotten or taken for granted. Too often, those blessings take the form of loved ones who share our lives and friendship. Live in the moment and tell the ones you love how you feel—they will be blessed for it, and so will you.
Live in the present.
The Savior, Jesus Christ, said:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19.)
Think of these three components of pieces to a map that will guide you to the greatest treasure you could ever hope to find. Learn from the past, prepare for the future, and live for today. Remember God loves you. Be happy.