The Great Hunt

All of the commandments are given to make blessings available to us.
A grateful heart is the parent of all virtues.

 

Now I grew up in the county, and I have four brothers, all of which showed interest in hunting and fishing. So I naturally engaged in the sport as well. Dad went with us on occasion, too. Of course, I have heard others that are much more passionate about those kinds of activities: week-long excursions, entire families involved, women at camp in some cases, sons and daughters involved too. But even that is really nothing compared to the great hunt.

 

 

Imagine this for a moment…every person on earth engaged in this hunt. People from every era have participated. Even with the many advancements in transportation, technology, mechanics, computers, weapons, and information, the hunt continues in earnest today.

 

So you ask yourself in amazement, “After all these years, many people, and different attempts, why can’t anyone be successful in this hunt and land the big prize? The answer is that some have been and still are successful, but the vast majority continue to look in vain for the trophy reward.

 

Now I guess I should say now that as I mentioned earlier, my family and I are not the most passionate hunting expedition out there. All the elaborate gizmos, equipment, RVs, ATVs, horses, and side-by-sides are not in our quiver of tools for the hunt. Nevertheless, we consistently come out on top and walk away successful year-after-year. What makes us different? I don’t know for sure, but I have a pretty good idea. Read on, and I plan to reveal our secret.

 

Whether you realize it yet or not, the hunt is likely the most significant activity of your life.

 

 

The answer is clear to me, but it is often not obvious to many others, hence that is the reason so many continue to hunt passionately without securing their objective.

 

Why have I been so consistently lucky? I don’t know all the reasons, but I know it’s because I try to follow the One who knows.

 

So it is not really luck at all. The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about being successful in the great hunt for happiness.

 

In fact, we have been told that our happiness is the purpose of our existence and the glory of God:

• Men are that they might have joy.
  2 Nephi 2:25

• The work and glory of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
  Moses 1:38-39

 

We have been given the answer time-and-again. Eternally happy families are assured through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

 

This life is a test, which we can all pass because of the life and Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of him, we get second chances and our reward can result in eternal happiness.

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings us joy, not because we are good, but because he is merciful.

 

Follow him.