Happiness is Worth the Effort
It is late, and I would like to sleep, but I wanted to post this thought for the day from the prophet Ezra Taft Benson... I 100% agree with his words.
Happiness must be earned from day to day, but it is worth the effort.
We have no cause to really worry. Live the gospel, keep the commandments. Attend to your prayers night and morning in your home. Maintain the standards of the Church. Try and live calmly and cheerfully. … Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort.10
When George A. Smith was very ill, he was visited by his cousin, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The afflicted man reported: “He [the Prophet] told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I were sunk into the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged, but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I should come out on the top of the heap.” …
There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” (D&C 121:7–8.)
Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. Even our master Jesus the Christ, while facing that supreme test of being temporarily left alone by our Father during the crucifixion, continued performing his labors for the children of men, and then shortly thereafter he was glorified and received a fulness of joy. While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful. And you can have that certain knowledge that in due time God will wipe away all tears and that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9.)11
Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully. Live happily. Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love.12
For the full text click: HERE
After all, we did all enroll in the 'plan of happiness,' right? : )
ReplyDeleteBring it on!
This quote really caught my attention: "There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you." Yes, Hang on! Hold on! Or, perhaps you might say...Cling on! " The power of Jesus Christ is always stronger than the power of Satan." (Sheri Dew.)
He will cast out the darkness. We all must keep seeking for His light and share it.
From the Hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, these words should offer us hope in finding happiness:
"When dark clouds of trouble hang o're us and threaten our peace to destroy, there is hope smiling brightly before us, for we know that deliverance in nigh."
There is always hope that we will find and feel happiness. Hold on to hope.
love,
Kary
Thanks for sharing the inspiring quotes Mari! So glad you're choosing happiness! Well done!
Ditto to what your sister said!
ReplyDeleteWe just talked about this last night in scripture study. It was a great lesson and full of hope and the spirit while Dru and I bore testimony of this very thing. Must be on people's minds. Great encouragement. It's so important to have a positive attitude. No one wants to hang out with a grump.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I was lucky enough to "meet" you at this time in your life! Thank you for being such an inspiration.
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