Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sunday thoughts

There were a lot of great things about church today, including a joint 3rd hour with the Young Men and Young Women, and a stake Standards Night fireside tonight.

But I gave a talk in sacrament meeting on the pursuit of happiness, and I want to remember at least some of it. I can't even remember the things I said that weren't in my notes (there was quite a bit), so I'm just going to post my notes:

“In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” –Gordon B. Hinckley

Pres. Uchtdorf – Forget Me Not

“Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey.

“Forget not to be happy now.

“So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket – the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover house or perhaps freedom from stress or worry.

“There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings-we hope and seek after things that are ‘virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.’ The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event-our golden ticket-to appear.”

I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Paul (Philippians 4:11)

What are some other things that keep us from being happy?

Sin

Alma 41:10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

Worldly voices beckon to us to follow seemingly good paths, but we need to stay on the path of righteousness. The world’s standards of happiness do not bring true happiness.

“The cause of most of man’s unhappiness is sacrificing what he wants most for what he wants now.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

Satan wants us to see ourselves through the world’s mirrors: distorted, minimized, inferior.

We need to worry less about what others think of us and more about what the Lord thinks of us.

Happiness and peace come when we live in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Comparison

Comparison is the fast track to misery. It takes the fun out of life. Make a decision not to do that. Qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation – the single most important skill we can acquire in this life. This is the best way to avoid comparison because the spirit will tell you how you stand before God, if you are progressing, what you need to change, and how to do it.

We should continually check on the condition of our heart and its openness to his spirit.

When we are filled with the spirit, we have souls that are satisfied. He can fill every need, every longing, every vacuum. This is lasting happiness that no one can take away from you.

Selfishness

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” President Gordon B. Hinckley

Willing service to others is a key to enduring happiness.

“We can rise above mere work and find comfort, joy, and loveliness in our daily lives.” (Sister Dibb) talk about what April taught me about service/servitude

We may not be called to do one great act, but consistent small acts of service, to act as the Savior would do.

“This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

“The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.”

“Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It develops talents, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life.” –Elder Scott

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I have a Heavenly Father.

He knows me.

He loves me.

He knows what is best for me.

If I follow his plan, I will be happy.

Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should 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. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

3 comments:

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Thank you for these notes! What a goldmine. I wish I could have been sitting in the audience.

Jill said...

I'm sure you did a great job, these notes are wonderful!

Jenni said...

Hey! this might be a weird question, but that quote from Pres. Hinckley about the cause of man's unhappiness is awesome! Do you know what talk it's from? Usually awesome quotes like that are just the tip of the iceberg on a incredible talk.

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