but along with all of these wonderful experiences, i've had a few struggles and i've been learning the same lessons for what seems like the ten billionth time. one that i've really been working on this year has been being happy now.
i had the opportunity to teach this same principle in a relief society lesson earlier this year and recently have been feeling the need to share it here. (this was a silent lesson, so you'll get to see basically the same lesson)
Living After the Manner of Happiness NOW While Waiting for Promised Blessings. “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.” {2 Nephi 5:27}
We are all in our specific situations for a purpose. We can all learn and grow from our experiences where we are now. My hope for this [post] is to help us all (myself included) to learn to be happy now while we wait for our next step in life (school, mission, marriage, job– whatever that may be). I hope that you will participate and I pray that the Spirit will be here to help guide YOU to how YOU can live after the manner of happiness right now.
What are some of your goals for your life?
A few goals that are necessary for your salvation are:
- Receiving your temple endowment
- Getting sealed in the temple for time & eternity
- Enduring to the end
Ponder These Questions:
Do you ever get discouraged while trying to obtain the goals you have set? What stops you from reaching these goals? What kinds of feelings do you have towards these goals? Do you have faith in yourself & in the Lord that you can achieve these goals?
Listen to this clip from Elder Nelson, ponder specific ways that you can Face your Future with Faith TODAY, this week, and this year. Write them down.
Ponder These Questions:
What are some ways that you can remember your divine inheritance & infinite worth?
Like Elder Nelson said, hard days are ahead (or even happening right now) how can you face the future with faith during these times?
"Therefore, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." {Doctrine & Covenants 123:7}
Ponder These Questions:
What did that scripture mean to me?
Can you think of any scriptures, words from living prophets, songs, etc. that have brought you peace in your life?
This song brought me peace during a really hard trial. As you listen to it, think about the things the Savior truly has done for you & think about how you can turn to Him during the “hard days ahead.”
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| photo from lds.org |
Think back to your goals. What are some “fears and insecurities” you have because of these goals? How can the Savior help you overcome these fears and insecurities? Write down your ideas.
Ponder these Quotes: "Let us not take counsel from our fears. May we remember always to be of good cheer, to put our faith in God, and live worthy for Him to direct us." {President James E. Faust}
“Our hearts can become blocked from the peace and comfort the Lord would give us if we are too troubled.” {Elder Patrick Kearon}
What are some ways you can calm your troubled heart enough to hear the voice of the Lord?
“It is vital to our spiritual well-being that we not consume so much of our time receiving good messages that we make ourselves unavailable to receive the best messages.” {Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy}
Are there any good things in your life that may hinder you from receiving the BEST messages?
So you know where you want to go & how you want to get there but it’s going to take some time. Here’s a little encouragement for this waiting game:
“The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best?” [Elder Neal A. Maxwell]
“I promise you that every gift you develop now will be a valuable asset when you have a family.” [Elder Eric B. Shumway]
“Progress is any movement toward peaceful acceptance of whatever the future may hold.” [August 2008 Ensign]
“Doing what is right does not mean the road will be easier, but it does mean that you will be happier along the way.”
“Going forward meant making an informed decision, working diligently, and trusting in the Lord.”
“It does not help to become so obsessed with the desire to be married that we miss the blessings and opportunities for development while we are single… If you are striving for excellence—if you are trying your best day by day with the wisest use of your time and energy to reach realistic goals—you will be a success whether you are married or single.” [President James E. Faust]
Right now, we are in a phase of life where doing fun things is easily accessible & even sometimes more appealing than being an adult. We are bombarded with jokes such as these:
While they are funny (I laughed at them & sometimes I even feel this way), they invite us to regress or halt our own progression. When these feelings come I invite you to heed the following counsel of Elder Ballard, Elder Holland and Elder Scott.
“Ask Heavenly Father to bless you now that you capture the vision, maybe in a more meaningful way than you ever have before, of who you are and what the purpose of your mortal existence is.” [Elder M. Russell Ballard]
“Face the future with optimism.” [Elder M. Russell Ballard]
“You have to make a decision about the day in which you stop being a child and start being an adult.” [Elder Jeffrey R. Holland] & watch this video.
“To Succeed in Life:
- Establish principles to guide your life.
- Don’t make exceptions to your standards.
- Be loyal.
- Live so that the Lord can guide you.
- Serve others.
- Smile.
- Don’t complain.
- Always have a Church assignment.
- Worship in the Temple.
- Follow the Savior’s example.”
There is SO much to be happy about right now! God loves you more than you can possibly imagine! I hope these next two videos will help you to remember that it’s up to you to make the best of everything you do & also that it is because of the Savior that we can have true happiness in life!
I am so grateful for this past year and I am so, so, so, so, so excited for this next year! I hope you have the happiest of New Years and stay safe!