Finding Happiness

If you search the internet you will find many studies which proclaim that religious people are happier than non-religious people. Faith seems to be the predominant factor in their happiness—faith that things can and will get better, that there is hope, that they are on the right path. As a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I whole-heartedly concur with these studies. I have lived my life as a not-so-religious person and as a faithful religious person—I have been the happiest when my life, and my actions, are in line with good religious beliefs. I have experimented with many religions in my life, from non-Christian to Christian, and for the bulk of my life I have settled on one that has helped me be the happiest—... Read More

May God help each and every one of us to remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a gospel of conversion, but it is a gospel of forgiveness...There is nothing that will bring us more of the Spirit of God than to be kind, considerate, charitable, long-suffering and forgiving. There is nothing that will bring more joy to us than to be ready and willing to forgive the trespasses of our neighbors against us, and there is nothing that will bring more condemnation to us than to harden our hearts and to be bitter and vindictive in our feelings towards those by whom we are surrounded. ... Read More

If I were to let the world tell me who I am and what I'm worth, I would be a very unhappy person indeed. We live in a world that seems bent on telling us we're not good enough, pretty enough, or skinny enough. According to society's standards we are simply not enough! We are inundated with the world's idea of beauty and perfection. It is no wonder that so many are unhappy. When measured against such a measuring stick, many of us will be found wanting. Perhaps this is why so many young people struggle with self-esteem. ... Read More

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church) defined the family in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in 1995 (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.) The proclamation was inspired in part by the passionate controversy that has been brewing worldwide for some time now about the importance, or unimportance, of the traditional family. Mormon beliefs include the family as a conventional unit with a man... Read More

Picture this: You’re driving down the road and you see a large station wagon on the road in front of you. Through the windows of the car you can clearly see the turmoil going on inside. The wagon is loaded with people. Bare feet dangle outside the rear window while elbows and arms hang loosely out the side windows. The luggage rack is packed full and the body of the car sports many dings and scratches. Up front, the mom tries to wrestle an unruly toddler while simultaneously trying to pacify a crying baby. Dad, meanwhile, is just trying to keep his place on the road. Can you see it clearly in your mind? One more thing … The back bumper sports a sticker that reads: “Are we having fun yet?” What’s the first thought that pops into your mind? Do you thi... Read More

I once heard a talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, the late Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church) that I’ve found myself thinking a lot about lately. I suppose it was less a story and more of an observation really, in which President Hinckley relayed a time when he drove up to an old farm gate. The gate, he saw, was controlled by small hinges that made only the slightest of movements in their assigned duties. The gate itself, however, swung in a large arc, sixteen feet in radius. ... Read More

When my husband and I first got married we lived near my university while I finished up my degree. Around Valentine’s Day, that first year, we heard of a couple’s communication skills workshop being offered on campus. We thought it would be a fun and interesting thing to do. We had no idea that the skills we would learn during that class would bless our lives like it has. Even now, almost seventeen years later, we cherish the skills we learned during that month-long course when we were very first married. Whenever we have the opportunity to advise young couples getting married, we share some of the pearls of wisdom w... Read More

In The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Twelve Apostles, we read, “His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.” But how can we find His path? And once we have found it, how can we get on it and stay on it? As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons) we believe in thirteen articles of faith, or tenets, the fourth of which states: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ... Read More

In 2003, Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church,) wrote an article entitled “Three Choices” (Liahona, Nov 2003, 78–81.) In his talk, he speaks of three cho... Read More

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or the Mormon Church as it is commonly known,) we believe in the Plan of Salvation, or the “the great plan of happiness” as Alma called it in the Book of Mormon (Alma 42:8.) The Plan of Salvation, as taught by The Church of... Read More

God wants you to be happy. Happiness is not a golden ticket won by chance. Happiness is yours for the taking, by making righteous choices and living a good life. Life does not have to be perfect for you to happy, because happiness is not found outside of yourself. You hold the key to happiness within yourself, at this very moment. In his talk “Be a Quality Person” (Ensign, Feb 1993, 64,) Marvin J. Ashton, listed six ways that we can be better people and in bettering ourselves, becoming quality people, we will find the well of happiness within us. He said “Don’t worry about bei... Read More

As Primary children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we learn to “choose the right” so that we might live happily. The hymn says: Choose the right when a choice is placed before you. In the right the Holy Spirit guides; And its light is forever shining o’er you, When in the right your heart confides. [Chorus] Choose the right! Choose the right! Let wisdom mark the way before. In its light, choose the right! And God will bless you evermore. Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression Overcome you in the evil hour. There’s the right and the wrong to ev’ry question; Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r. [Chorus] Choose th... Read More

Are you dreaming of the day when everything works out just right for you and then you can live happily ever after? Have you ever heard the old adage, don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Well, my friend, that includes your happiness too! Don’t put off being happy for some better, brighter tomorrow. Make today a happy one and live your happily ever after … right now. With a few simple steps you can discover the happiness of your dreams in your day to day life. The scriptures teach us how, and many leaders have spoken up to help enlighten our understanding. One such teacher is Coleen... Read More

Recently I have read or heard the words “be true” a lot. Be true to yourself. Be true to your faith. Be true to your friends and associates. Be true to your family. President Gordon B. Hinckley, the late President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or the Mormon Church as it is commonly known) spoke often on being true. I found a wonderful talk given by him in a General Young Women meeting, in which he spoke to the young women of the Church. Since this phrase has been appearing in my life time and again lately, I thought I would like to learn more of what it means, and perhaps how being true could help me live a happier, more fr... Read More

I love to crochet beautiful little baby things. Not long ago I couldn’t even make a decent looking chain of stitches but I was determined to learn, so I practiced a lot. Time and again I crocheted a square, only to discard it or pull it out. I was trying to make something without a pattern but every attempt I made, failed. Finally, I got a pattern book that included the instructions for basic crochet stitches. I chose a simple pattern to start with and carefully began again. I still needed to pull out the stitches a few times before I started to get the hang of it. Eventually the tiny baby dress began to take shape and I w... Read More

When things get tough, you can still find happiness in moving forward with faith. In fact, faith can be the key you need to unlock the hope in your heart, the potential of every day to be a gift of goodness and happiness. Richard G. Scott is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church.) He often teaches on the principles of happiness. Mormon beliefs include the belief that God has created a plan of salvation for... Read More

As I prepare to re-enter the workforce after over ten years of being at home to raise my children, I have cause to look back at the choice I have made and to wonder if I did the right thing. For me and my family, yes, I did. In fact, at the earliest possible moment, I will come back home because my children aren’t done with me yet! I am sad to leave my children for this space of time, because I truly believe in what I was doing. Being a wife and a mother is the best job I could have ever trained for, aspired to, applied for and won. It’s not counted for much among the trend-setters of the world, popular opinion doesn’t think too highly of it. But motherhood, is a God-given opportunity. The Mormons (members of ... Read More

It had not been my intent to write about the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley today. Much has already been written about this great man, that I didn't expect to have anything more of value to add. However, as I was researching another topic, I came upon a scripture that so summed up my feelings on President Hinckley's passing that it opened up to my eyes a whole new way in which Mormons are happy. President Gordon B. Hinckley, has been the ... Read More

Which do you value more, a beat up old car or a pristine, new model? Do you enjoy getting that crisp new dollar bill over that old wrinkly, torn one? Can you appreciate the fresh cleanness of a country meadow right after a cleansing rain? Or do you prefer the stale recycled air of an office building? We are hard-wired to like the fresh, the new, the pristine, even in the mundane things of life. What even greater value, then, is a clean and pure spirit. Satan is the great deceiver, liar, and enemy to all that is good, including our happiness and our well-being. Mormon beliefs teach that his great desire is to thwart our Heavenly Father’s ... Read More

In the Book of Luke in the New Testament, the angel told Mary “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37.) Lately, I have heard a lot about the idea of 'expectation.' This theory purports that if we go about expecting good things to happen to us, they will happen to us. I believe such an idea is true, but not because fate or some other ethereal law is at play. I believe when we have faith in God, and we are doing those things that would make us worthy of His blessings, we can expect that He can and will bless us. Mormon beliefs support that our founding Prophet often received revelation and guidance from Jesus Christ Himself, because The Church of Jesus Chri... Read More

Do you know why I write for this blog? I think it's because Heavenly Father knew I would need a daily, constant, reminder of how to be happy because a lot of trials would be coming my way. I don't want to bore you with my troubles. I hope you will take my hand and walk with me on this journey, in our mutual quest for happiness. Today I had the opportunity to serve with the young women of our Stake, which is a large group of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons). All I knew of the event was that we would be “helping young women in Africa” and that as secretary in the ... Read More

Sometimes life throws us a curve ball or two. How we choose to respond to such occasions can dictate the outcome of our efforts, and most certainly our happiness (or lack thereof) in getting there. J.C. Maxwell wrote, in "Attitude 101: What every leader needs to know" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,) that "often our attitude is the only difference between success and failure." He also states that "our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect it's outcome more than anything else." In his article "Service and Happiness," Jacob de Jager of T... Read More

Home can be a heav’n on earth When we are filled with love, Bringing happiness and joy, Rich blessings from above— Warmth and kindness, charity, Safety and security— Making home a part of heaven, Where we want to be. It's particularly during times of trial or hardship that our families can be of the greatest source of comfort and security. If we work hard to develop that kind of family life, the happiness it can afford us can seem almost limitless – a true heaven on earth. Drawing fam’ly near each week, We’ll keep love burning bright. Serving Him with cheerful hearts, We’ll grow in truth and light. Parents teach and lead the way... Read More

Did you know that singing every day can help you feel happy? Mormons know it! Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons, as they are commonly known) have long known that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me (God), and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (Doctrine & Covenants 25:11-12.) An early order of business for the Mormon Church was the collection of hymns to be used in our worship. In Mormon beliefs, God speaks today through His duly appointed Prophet. When the Church was newly f... Read More

I'm writing today from a hospital room. My husband is here, being tested and prodded and possibly prepared for heart surgery. Possibly not, too, as anything could happen at this point. Nevertheless, it has been stressful and upsetting to say the least. This is not the first time we have been through something like this. Four years ago David nearly died from an aortic aneurysm. He had open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve and repair his ascending and descending aortic route. The surgery was successful and so we went on with our lives expecting he would now live a long and healthy one. However, he we are again facing the possibility of something similar to what we experienced before. This sort of trial or challenge is not unknown to many of you. Too many of us struggle d... Read More

In April of 2000 the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormon Church) published a declaration of the reality of The Living Christ – their testimony of Jesus Christ. Recently I took up the challenge to memorize this document, and in doing so, I have learned the truth of our search for happiness. The Living Christ, the Testimony of the ... Read More