Seeking Happiness and Joy

"True freedom is to know the truth, to act upon that truth to avoid sin, and then to claim the promise of Him who suffered for sin and can therefore make us free indeed ." From Elder Oaks at a recent BYU-Hawaii graduation. Read more here .

Heavenly Father knows us so well. He knows how much we're capable of handling, and when He needs to send us a little love note, or tender mercy. It's been a rough couple of days, moving away from family and friends. I've been praying to have a positive attitude so I can have a good experience as I finish my education. I really felt the strength of not only my own prayers but also the prayers of others as my attitude slowly improved yesterday. However, I felt myself slipping again today, feeling bummed out because I don't really have any friends right now, or rather, I don't know where anyone I know is. I said some silent prayers in my heart and began an earlier trek to my class. Then, just as I was entering the building, I saw a face I recognized. There was one of my long lost friends! We were both pleasantly surprised to see each other. He updated me on his life and the lives of our other mutual friends. We exchanged numbers, and I left feeling my heart a little li

My family (plus one friend) was playing croquet one night when I showed up to the house. My brother-in-law, Joe, has won every game he's played. My father let me sub in his place. My whole goal was not to win but to keep Joe from winning. It worked. The family friend, who was in dead last when I started, wound up winning. I finished second to last and Joe lost. Of course, I went inside the house and carried on with much rejoicing as I sang and danced for my mother and aunt. "I didn't win but Joe didn't either!" My little sister, being a recently returned missionary, turned this experience into a Family Home Evening lesson. She asked Joe how his ability to play well was affected as he grew frustrated with my every attempt to roquet his ball out of strategic playing area. He responded that his game was hindered by this cloud of frustration. My sister shared a couple scriptures from the war chapters in Alma showing how anger can affect our ability to perform.

I spoke in church today. My assigned topic was a talk given by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander in the April 2008 General Conference . I gave my talk immediately after singing "Close Enough to Touch" by Kenneth Cope. This woman, whose story is told briefly in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had sought out numerous physicians and used all that she had to seek a cure. None had cured her; her condition was now worse. Her faith brought her to seek out Jesus. “For she said within herself, if I but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” 1 She pressed her way through the crowd that was following Jesus to touch the hem of His garment. Elder Neuenschwander in his recent conference talk described this crowd. “I picture the crowd itself. It must have been fairly large, as people were pressing in on Jesus. It might have even been a noisy crowd, as people pushed and shoved trying to get a better look at Him. I wonder why they were there. Most, I think, cam