Seeking Happiness and Joy

My 5th grade students and I are reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. I have never read this book prior to this reading with my students. We are enjoying it and learning a lot from it. The book starts with a tribe of people living on an island far from other civilization. A ship full of men comes to shore one day. These men want to hunt seal on this island. The captain of the ship makes a deal with the chief of the tribe as to how the hunted seals will be shared. When the men have hunted and gathered sufficient seals for significant profit, they begin loading the ship to leave. Although a certain amount of seals and other goods were promised, they shortchange the island tribe. This offense results in a bloody fight between the islanders and the seaman. Many die from each group. One of the dead is the chief of the tribe. The seaman leave. Although numerous members of the tribe remain, the chores must be redivided amongst those that are left. The women are a...

I've read the Book of Mormon and know that it is true. It contains the words of God as received by prophecy. Living the principles outlined in the Book of Mormon has brought so much happiness to my life--a happiness I have never found elsewhere. Reading the Book of Mormon has helped me develop a stronger relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ. It testifies of His life and His teachings. I treasure up His word.