Seeking Happiness and Joy

The High Councilman who spoke in my ward today shared a beautiful analogy from his experiences this weekend. I will attempt to retell it. I participated in a 95 mile motorcycle race near a small town in the Utah desert. The land is very open with very little development. The people who put on the race marked the entire course with trail markers. There were special markers that were used to denote danger ahead. A single stake with an orange placard signaled the riders to be aware of an upcoming obstacle. Two stakes marked with orange suggested slowing down for a moderate danger ahead. Three markers warned the riders that a serious obstacle would soon be encountered and that every measure should be used to slow down. During the race, there was so much dirt flying because of all the other bikers. I couldn't see well, and I was forced to eat dirt. I saw to the right and left of the trail a few tires marks where riders had temporarily left the path. I looked around for dead rid...

I am an organized person. I like to plan. I make lists. I like to strategize. I like things to be somewhat predictable. If something occurs that is beyond my control, yet I'm required to endure it, I get frustrated and sometimes even freak out. I grew up in Florida and the western desert. I haven't really encountered much snow. I was living in northern Utah a few years ago where snow is abundant. Learning to drive in the snow was not a delightful task. I had gone home for the weekend and was driving north on a Sunday morning to return to my apartment. I had left early in the morning, because I had an obligation to fulfill at church. It was late fall and the snow season hadn't started. At that time in my life, I was notorious for speeding on the freeway. As usual, I was going much faster than the speed limit. As I approached a small city, I was prompted to slow down. The Spirit whispered to my soul that something would happen very soon. I slowed down a little at...

My grandmother used to say to my mother, "It doesn't matter what anyone else says or does as long as you know what you're doing is right." My mother would in turn share that with me. This truth that my grandmother taught was exercised by my mother when she met the missionaries as a 17 year-old young woman. She immediately recognized the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and desired to be baptized. Her desire to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was not accepted by her immediate family. Her baptism was openly mocked by her own mother. However, it was the truth that her own mother had taught her, "It doesn't matter what anyone else says for does as long as you know what you're doing is right," that contributed to her decision to follow the promptings of the Spirit and to be baptized. This decision put stress on her relationship with her family. During my grandmother's last weeks on earth, my mother visited her. My g...

In my ward today, we opened the meeting by singing " Joy to the World ". Yes, you are thinking of the right hymn. As the music chairperson, I was meeting with my Bishop a month ago. I wondered out loud why we don't sing certain songs all year long. During that meeting, he decided for Mother's Day he would assign talks about Mary, mother of Jesus, Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet Joseph's mother, and about modern day mothers. He suggested we sing "Joy to the World" for the opening hymn and " Jesus Once of Humble Birth " as the Sacrament hymn to remind us that Jesus was born and was raised as was every child. During the talk about Lucy Mack, I was pondering the hymn that I knew was coming up, " Joseph Smith's First Prayer ". Joseph's parents, particularly his mother, raised him to be God-fearing, to read his scriptures, and to pray. Had he not been taught these principles growing up, he may have never read and pondered the scripture...

No matter what goes on in the world or what others say or do, I find comfort and confidence in my testimony . I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. All things are possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It contains commandments and instructions revealed by God to his servants, the prophets. These prophets were called of God. We also have a prophet today who is President Thomas S. Monson. In addition to the revelation received by our prophet, we can also receive personal revelation. God hears and answers our prayers. I know the Spirit bears witness of the truth, because I have received witness that all these things are true. I bear you these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

I would like to interest you in a piece of property. It spans farther than the eye can see. It consists of gentle rolling hills covered in lush green grass and brightly colored flowers. There are plenty of shade trees perfect for napping. The weather is perfect—partly sunny with a slight breeze; you will find yourself comfortable in the sun or the shade. There are slow-moving streams and clean, blue, open waters. Bugs, snakes, and ugly creatures are not a concern. The air always smells like fresh cut grass or an afternoon rain shower. The price? It is absolutely free. Better yet, you do not have to work at all to maintain this serenity. Are you ready to sign the papers? But wait, there’s more. There is another amazing feature. You can talk and walk with Heavenly Father any time you want. Sounds perfect. For most people, this would be ideal. This is what I imagine the Garden of Eden to have been like. Now why would Adam and Eve ever want to give this ...

“And He entered into the synagogue; and there was a man which had a whithered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And He saith unto the man which had the whithered hand, Stand forth. And He saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3:1-5 “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” Matthew 12:11-12 Jesus taught by His example that we are to do well on the Sab...

Growing up my mom always sent us off by saying, “Be good. Learn all you can. Have fun.” It is evident by this statement and her life that she values education and learning. My mother went back to college when I was in elementary school to become a registered nurse. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing the same semester I graduated high school. A couple years ago, she received dual Masters Degrees. She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her freshman year of college. She is the only member of the Church in her family, and it is no coincidence that she is also the only member of her immediate family who has received advanced college degrees. She is truly converted and her testimony and eternal perspective has increased her drive for learning. At the end of my freshman year of college, I attended a CES broadcast with President Henry B. Eyring who was then a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles as the speaker. He gave a talk that has...