My grandfather Charles Allan was a Scot through and through. He often quoted from Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet. One of his favorites helps us define mere pleasure:

But pleasures are like poppies spread:
You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white—then melts for ever;
Or like the borealis race,
That flit ere you can point their place;
Or like the rainbow’s lovely form
Evanishing amid the storm.
(“Tam o’ Shanter,” lines 59–66)

Only true happiness has the potential to last, to truly lift our spirits, our hearts and minds. No riches are needed; you don’t even need to have your name on all the A-list parties. Passing pleasure does not make lasting happiness. As Elder David O. McKay, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,  once said, “You may get that transitory pleasure, yes, but you cannot find joy, you cannot find happiness. Happiness is found only along that well beaten track, narrow as it is, though straight, which leads to life eternal” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1919, 180).

In the book of James in the New Testament, we read, “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.” (James 1:5.) Here is the solution for your confusion: ask of God and He will show you the better part.

The Prophet Joseph Smith told us, “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, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

Virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping the commandments of God are the only true way to obtain true and lasting happiness. Pray, and God, your Heavenly Father, will tell you how to live these worthy values so that you may obtain your righteous desire and be happy.

This post was originally published on December 5, 2007. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

There are a lot of reasons why we settle for less—from ourselves, from others, from life. We can’t do much about what others do, or about how life turns out, but we can—and we must—make the best use of our own life, of our own talents and abilities.

In the Book of Mormon, we learn about the ways we receive talents, or gifts of the Spirit, and how you should use them:

And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.

 

And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

 

And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

 

(Moroni 10:8,11,17)

I have long been a fan of Mother Teresa—a more giving and truly charitable person, I’ve never known. But did you know that she suffered from pangs of doubt and feelings of inadequacy? Who would ever have guessed that this remarkable woman every doubted herself or in what she was doing? Yet, she did.

Mother Teresa

She hung a poem on the wall of the orphanage she founded in Calcutta. One can only assumed that she posted it there as a reminder to herself—a reminder to keep on keeping on, even when doubt assailed her.

Our Heavenly Father loves us and He has blessed us with many gifts and talents, many opportunities, to fulfill the measure of our creation. When we are being all that we can be, we grow closer to God and our hearts are filled. It is then that we can find true joy and experience happiness in all that we do.

And so I would like to encourage you to search your heart for those things that bring you joy, because perhaps they are a priceless gift that you have yet to fully appreciate. And when life’s trials seem insurmountable and the obstacles before you loom above you, remember who you are—a child of God, an individual with unlimited potential.

Anyway Poem

 

People are often unreasonable,
illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

 

If you are kind,
People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

 

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and
some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

 

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

 

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

 

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

 

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

 

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

 

You see, in the final analysis.
it is between you and God;
It is never between you and them anyway.

This post was originally published in May 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928 – 2015) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Richard G. Scott is a late member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He often taught on the principles of happiness. Mormon beliefs include the belief that God has created a plan of salvation for us and has provided us with the tools with need to reap happiness where we have sowed faith.

In 2004, Elder Scott gave a devotional at BYU where he said:

“God has given you the capacity to exercise faith so that you may find peace, joy, and purpose in life. However, to employ its power, faith must be rooted in something secure. There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the willingness and power of Jesus Christ to fulfill all of His promises” (Richard G. Scott, “Living Right,” Brigham Young University,  April 2004)

Elder Scott suggests some principles upon which our faith should be based. He says that we should trust in God and in His desire to provide help when we need it, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. This means that though the way may seem dark, your situation hopeless, nothing is impossible for Him and He can and will bless you. “For with God nothing shall be impossible,” say the scriptures in Luke 1:37. The trick is, though that we must first trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Conversely, show your Heavenly Father that He can trust you, by being obedient to His commands and living a life worthy of His trust. Mormons have a another testament of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. We believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ by recovering the Book of Mormon from the dust and translating it with the help of the spirit of prophecy. We also believe that the Lord spoke through him, as He does today through our prophet and apostles. The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern-day revelation, primarily those received by the Prophet Joseph. One such revelation reveals that “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10).

Elder Scott also tells us that we must be sensitive to the quiet promptings of the Spirit and then follow through with courage. My husband and I desperately wanted children, but after several miscarriages and years of disappointment, we had pretty much given up hope. One day I received a call from a friend, telling me that a family member wanted to give her baby up for adoption and was willing to take her recommendation and give the baby to us if we wanted her.

For a brief moment, I felt elated at the thought of becoming a mother to a sweet baby girl. Yet shortly after, I heard a voice, as clear as day, tell me “This is not your blessing. It is for another.” I prayed and received confirmation that while I so desired to adopt this baby, she wasn’t meant for my family. I told a friend about the baby and she responded with tears and joy because this was an answer to her prayers too. She went on to adopt the little girl and they have been happy together ever since. However, for some time I felt so sad and sorry that I had made the choice I did. While my friend’s arms were full, mine were still empty. I knew I had done the right thing, yet I wondered where or when was my blessing. It seemed that such a blessing would never come.

Several years later, I was blessed in a way I could never have foreseen. I gave birth to twin boys, born whole and healthy. Now, had I not listened to the promptings of the Spirit when faced with the opportunity to adopt that little girl, and we had adopted her instead of my friend, not only would my friend have been denied the blessing of motherhood, but I would never have known the joy that is mine as mother to these two incredible little boys.

The Spirit whispered, and while it was hard, I listened and obeyed. With courage, I followed through with the course of action I felt inspired to follow and my family and others have been blessed because of those actions. It took time to get to the “happy,” but oh it was worth it!

Elder Scott reminds us that we must be patient and understanding when God lets us struggle to grow and answers come little by little over an extended period of time. I was not always so patient and understanding when I was struggling to become a mother, but I can testify that the answers did come over time and in the end I could see why it was that things had to be as they were.

At the conclusion of his article, Elder Scott affirms that doing what is right will open far greater and more meaningful opportunities for you. He says,

“I testify that you will never go wrong when you trust in the Lord and in His promises, no matter how severe the challenge.

May the Lord strengthen your resolve, your exercise of faith, and your use of growing character so that you may be every bit the instrument for good that He desires. I testify that He lives. As you worthily seek His help, He will guide you in your life.”

I would like add my testimony to Elder Scott’s. Our Heavenly Father has an active interest in our lives and desires to bless us. Happiness goes hand in hand with faithfulness.

This article was originally published in January 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

President George Albert Smith

George Albert Smith, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said:

“It ought not to be difficult for us to keep the commandments of the Lord, because keeping them leads to happiness. It ought not to be difficult for husbands and wives to love one another and be true to one another, because doing so is a source of happiness. It ought not to be difficult for boys and girls to love their parents and honor them, because that is another source of happiness. Being honest with our neighbors is a source of happiness. Paying Him our tithes and our offerings is a source of blessing and happiness. I might go on and enumerate many other things, but I may sum it all by saying: All the happiness that is worthy of the name, all the real happiness there is in this world, comes from living in accordance with the commandments of God—whether men know it or not.”

I would love to have a perfectly fit and healthy body. Once, I was a bodybuilder and competed in amateur bodybuilding competitions. Today, I’m about thirty pounds overweight and can’t strike a pose except to make my children laugh. I know what I need to do to get into shape. I even know how to work out properly. There is a great gym very nearby my house that has all the equipment I need to get into shape.

But do I go? Umm, nope.

However, when I have gone to work out, I feel tremendously good. Not only does my body enjoy being pushed to its limits, coming alive the way only physical exercise allows it to, but my spirit is also invigorated. You often hear people say things like, “It’s so hard to get to the gym, but I’m always happy when I do because I feel so much better!”

That’s precisely how it is with keeping the commandments. We don’t always want to follow them, but they are good for us and abiding by them will always make us happy.

I testify that following the commandments brings peace to our hearts and happiness to lives. Study the commandments as found in Exodus 20, and in the New Testament. Pray about them and discern how they can be applied to your own life. As you do this and strive to live by them daily, you will be blessed with happiness and peace.

So flex a little mental muscle and decide today that though it isn’t always easy, you will obey the commandments of God and be spiritually fit and eternally happy.

This article was originally published in June 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

I want to live after the manner of happiness, don’t you? In fact, I’d hazard a guess that happiness is the lifelong goal of every person who lives. Except I think we too often believe, mistakenly, that happiness is to be found in success, riches, possessions, admiration, or the like. But that just isn’t so.

Happiness is to be found in our families, in our relationship with God, in our ability to look at ourselves in the mirror at the end of the day and like what we see. Oh, perhaps you won’t like the extra weight you are carrying, or the pimples that are popping up on your face so late in life, or the wrinkles that belie your age, but you can like the light that shines from your eyes—and that light can shine brighter if we have walked in the footsteps of the Lord.

When describing the lifestyle he and his people lived, Nephi said that: “And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things” (2 Ne. 5:10.)

I can testify from personal experience that living righteously and keeping God’s commandments makes us happy. Alma, another Book of Mormon prophet, summed it up when he said, “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10.) How many times have you done something you knew shouldn’t do? And how often did you later wish you hadn’t done that thing? If you’re anything like me, the answer is “too often.”

In an address given to Brigham Young University students, Marlin K. Jensen, said:

“From the depths of my soul I testify that Satan wants us to believe we are an exception to God’s rules, that somehow our transgressions are more noble and justifiable than anyone’s have ever been. But that is a lie. And not only do we offend God by breaking His laws; we also offend ourselves and others, and thereby experience heartache, suffering, and misery—the exact opposites of happiness” (“How to Be Happy,” New Era, Aug 1999, 4).

There was a time in my life when I truly did believe that I was an exception to God’s rules. I was a victim of other peoples’ bad choices—how could I be expected to do what was right when so many in my life had done me wrong? I felt justified in being bad because being good didn’t seem to get me anywhere.

I would have to write a whole book to explain how I came to see the error in my thinking, but suffice it to say, I had that precious “aha” moment wherein I finally came to see that in choosing to continue my bad behavior, I only continued to hurt myself. It was only when I started to do what I knew was right, to follow God’s commandments, that I began to feel my burden lifted and to feel hope.

Now, after seventeen years of practicing righteous behavior, I can honestly say that “wickedness never was happiness.” Don’t get me wrong, I am certainly not perfect—not even close. But I am somewhat further down the road of obedience than I once was and I am happier for it.

If you feel burdened by wrong choices, either your own or those of others, I encourage you to turn your face to God. Seek to do what He commands as outlined in the scriptures, and I promise He will lift your burdens and reward you with happiness to cheer your days.

This post was originally published in July 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

Your dear child decides that what she most wants is to go deep sea diving in dangerous, shark-infested waters. The thrill of it makes her feel alive, she says. It will make her ultimately happy, she claims.

When you counter her requests with heaps of evidence that prove that such a venture would probably cost her her life, she declares that she would be the one to beat the odds because it’s so important to her. Even if she did die, she would be happy for that moment and so it would be worth it.

Now, as a loving parent, would you think her chosen course of action was a prudent one? Would you encourage her and help her achieve her dream? Would you kiss her goodbye as she climbed on that boat and sailed out to sea?

Or would you do everything you could to dissuade her, to protect her, knowing that her greater happiness lies in living a long life safe from the potential life-altering pain and injury of swimming with man-eating sharks?

Oftentimes, we don’t always desire that which is good for us. Imagine if all our desires were granted to us… We would likely be far from happy.

James E. Faust once said, “Instant and unrestrained gratification of all our desires would be the shortest and most direct route to unhappiness. The many hours I have spent listening to the tribulations of men and women have persuaded me that both happiness and unhappiness are much of our own making” (“Our Search for Happiness,” Ensign, Oct 2000.)

The prophet Joseph Smith detailed the only reliable path to happiness when he told us, “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, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

Even though “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25), it doesn’t mean that everything is going to go smoothly or that all we will experience is happiness and joy. The Book of Mormon also tells us, “for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11).

No one, no matter how righteous, will experience happiness every moment of every day. But perhaps the happiest among us have learned that in order to be happy, they must learn to recognize elements of happiness and treasure them while they last.

So perhaps you could tell your daredevil child to look to smaller, less thrilling ways to find her happiness… It might not get her adrenaline pumping in quite the same way as swimming with sharks, but surely the quantity of happiness she would experience over a lifetime would outweigh the fleeting moments of pleasure she might feel on her adventure.

This post was originally published in June 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Ali C

My family, who are not Mormons, strongly disagreed with my choice. Though it’s been eighteen years since I made it—and they no longer question whether or not I am happy—still they regularly ask, “How can belong to a church that restricts your freedoms so much?” Because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a strong code of ethics, the Word of Wisdom which guides our physical habits, and a strict code of conduct for its members, my family assumes my freedom is also restricted and I am following the rules blindly.

But I do not choose to follow blindly, I choose to follow because in doing so I have found a greater happiness, a more reliable source of peace and contentment than I ever had before I joined the Church.

In 1987 Glenn L. Pace, a leader in the Mormon Church, spoke about this very thing. When considering people who “look happy and free,” he counseled:

“Don’t mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. Don’t mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites. Don’t envy a lesser and lower life” (“They’re Not Really Happy,” New Era, Mar 2002, 28.)

Book of Mormon prophet Lehi had an amazing dream one night. In his vision, he saw a great and spacious building, which scripture teaches us represents the pride and temptations of the world:

“And I … beheld … a great and spacious building; …

“And it was filled with people, both old and young, … and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who … were partaking of the fruit” (1 Ne. 8:26–27).

Mormons have a phrase we repeat often: “Choose the right.” You’ll often see members of the Church wearing rings with the symbol CTR on them—they wear these to remind themselves to choose the right in every situation, wherever they may find themselves.

CTR: “Choose the Right”

We need to remind ourselves to choose the right because everywhere we go, there is temptation to enter that great and spacious building. It isn’t always easy to choose the right, to follow the Word of Wisdom, or to be obedient to the counsel of leaders. But we know that as long as we do what is right, we are more free: less burdened by guilt and free from the chains of sin.

That freedom allows us to be who we were created to be. It allows us to be happy. The prophet Joseph Smith said:

“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, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56.)

My family continues to ask why I would restrict myself so much by being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I continue to respond the way I always have: I feel more free now than I ever did before. I am happier now than I ever was before. I testify to you that if you will choose the right, to follow that path that which is marked by virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping the commandments of God, you will be happy too.

Ali C

President Joseph F. Smith, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (or Mormon Church) proclaimed: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 263.)

But how, in a world that fights to drag us down, do we keep our hearts happy, full of gratitude and thanksgiving?

The very first thing we must do is to open our eyes to all the blessings in the world around us.

“If [blessings] are difficult to find at first, keep looking, keep counting, and you will soon find that you truly do have a great deal for which to be thankful.”

Once you start looking for blessings, you are sure to find them. If they are difficult to find at first, keep looking, keep counting, and you will soon find that you truly do have a great deal for which to be thankful.

Once our eyes are open and we can see the blessings in our lives, the next thing we must do is to open our hearts. Often our hearts become so hardened that even when we can see that which we should be grateful for, it’s hard to crack that tough shell and let our hearts be filled. Yet fill it we must, with love, faith and thanksgiving.

To live in thanksgiving daily is the surest way to keep our hearts open to the opportunities around us and to ensure that we continue to recognize and receive continued blessings.

One of the best ways to show gratitude for our blessings is to strive to bless the lives of those around us. The Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin taught his people:

“If you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice. …

“… If ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants” (Mosiah 2:20–21.)

If ever you are uncertain how to render thanks to God, King Benjamin told us that as well: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

“Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily.”

A grateful heart can be your greatest boon in your life. Another former president of the LDS Church,  Gordon B. Hinckley, once said:

“My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.” (Standing for Something [2000], 101.)

Choice blessings await those who live in thanksgiving daily. “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness,” the Lord has promised, “shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19)

Among the blessings you can expect to receive, happiness is sure to be one of them. Develop a grateful heart and not only your heart, but your life will be filled with happiness.

Ali C

I’ve heard many people say that if God truly loved us, He wouldn’t allow bad things to happen to us. Sometimes, in my darkest hours, I’ve thought the same thing.

But God does love us and He has proven it by giving us life and best of all, by granting us freedom—the freedom to choose for ourselves what we will do with our lives.

This time on earth, our mortality, is our opportunity to fulfill our creation, to learn about Heavenly Father’s plan and to choose whether or not we will be obedient. Obedience to God’s plan, is essential to our happiness and our eternal progression.

The Book of Mormon prophet, King Benjamin, explained that, “the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe [in] Christ, … the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy” (Mosiah 3:13.)

He also taught his people: “Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41.)

God wants us to be happy. He has provided a road map that not only makes our final destination one of “never-ending happiness” but provides a journey that can be full of joy and happiness. But to decipher that road map, we must first study the doctrines of happiness—real happiness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons) teaches that critical to our knowledge of the plan of happiness is an understanding of the governing principle of agency. Mormons believe that God sent us to earth with the opportunity to choose for ourselves what we will believe, or whether or not to be obedient to God’s commands. In his talk “Answers to Life’s Questions,” M. Russell Ballard, a leader of the Mormon Church, wrote, “A person does not have to spend much time in the schoolroom of mortality to realize that Heavenly Father’s plan does not provide for blissful happiness at every step along our mortal journey. Life is filled with harsh realities that tug at the heart and tear away at the soul” (Ensign, May 1995, 22.)

Howard W. Hunter, then President of the Church, said:

“There is nothing sad or gloomy about a person who accepts the truths of the gospel and incorporates these principles in his daily living. God wants all of his children to be joyous and glad, and we can have this blessing if we are willing to keep his commandments and live by his word in all that we do” (in Conference Report, Sept./Oct. 1961, p. 108.)

When you come to understand our Heavenly Father’s plan, you will find many of life’s questions are answered in the gospel of Christ. The Apostle John said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17.)

I testify that God has provided us with all that we need to know about how to be happy in this life, despite the tragedies that abound. Search the scriptures and learn all you can about the great plan of happiness. I pray that as you come to understand these truths you will be compelled, as I was, to embrace them willingly. In doing so we will find an increase of happiness, a lasting happiness, and we will have peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27.)

Such peace will breath contentment to our souls and we will find that we have chosen to be happy and we will be eternally blessed because of it.

Ali C

This has been mans’ goal since the beginning of recorded history. Mans’ search for happiness is the root behind any great advancement in society—as hopes rose that around the next corner things would get easier, better, and we could finally be happy.

It’s not a surprise that we are so consumed with the desire to be happy. In the Book of Mormon the Lord said, “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25.) We were created to desire and search for happiness—and God means for us to find it.

Even the founding fathers of United States of America gave our pursuit of happiness prime billing in the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The problem with a pursuit that is so all-consuming is that we tend to believe we have found it, only to discover that our hopes are false.

Most people would claim that money was an essential element in achieving happiness. You’re unhappy without it, surely you would be very happy with it. However, endless research fails to prove that to be true. In fact, research tends to indicate that money alone is seldom, if ever, our key to true happiness.

David O. McKay, then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or Mormon Church, once made reference to a statement by John D. Rockefeller—then one of the world’s richest men—who apparently had stomach trouble and had purportedly said, “I would rather be able to enjoy a good meal than have a million dollars.” Then with a wink of the eye, President McKay remarked, “Of course, he had a million dollars when he said that.”

It’s easy to make light of the need of money when you have more than enough. But when you see no end to your money troubles and you feel that you are constantly drowning in debt, you can’t imagine any happiness without money.

But beyond a sufficient amount for our needs, money has little to do with true happiness. W. Eugene Hansen, a leader in the Mormon Church wrote “Often it is the work and sacrifice one experiences in obtaining money for a worthwhile purpose that produces the most satisfaction” (“The Search for Happiness,” Ensign, Nov 1993, 81.) He goes on to share a story from his father’s personal history about his Grandmother’s experiences growing up in Brigham City, Utah, in the late 1800s.

“Their family was very poor, having emigrated from Denmark with little more than the clothes on their backs. She wanted so much to have a pair of shoes she could wear on special occasions. To accomplish this worthy desire took a full summer’s work of picking berries and tending children, since money was very scarce and labor was cheap. But the joy Grandmother felt as she obtained those shoes is indescribable, for not only was she able to wear them, but her mother did also. In fact, they had it arranged so Grandmother would wear the shoes to Sunday School in the morning, and then her mother would wear them to sacrament meeting in the evening.”

William George Jordan, American editor and essayist, wrote:

“Happiness does not always require success, prosperity or attainment. It is often the joy of hopeful struggle, consecration of purpose and energy to some good end. Real happiness ever has its root in unselfishness—its blossom in love of some kind” (The Crown of Individuality, 2d ed., New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1909, pp. 78–79.)

Don’t mistake the pursuit of riches as the pursuit of happiness. Money is a needful thing, but it is not the sum of all things. Find happiness in the journey, and you will be doubly blessed in the end.

Ali C