Walking the Path

"There is not a single loophole or curveball or open trench to fall into for the man or woman who walks the path that Christ walks. When He says, " COME, FOLLOW ME" ( Luke 18:22), He means that He knows where the quicksand is and where the thorns are and the best way to handle the slippery slope near the summit of our personal mountains. He knows it all, and He knows the way. HE IS THE WAY." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

It is such a comfort to know that Christ is the way. He is the way through the path and He is the one that holds our hand as we climb our personal mountains. It makes all the difference in the world to have the testimony that Christ knows each of us individually as He has suffered for each of us individually. Wherever you are in your personal journey remember that Christ IS the way and He knows where the thorns are and the quicksand lies. He knows you and is by your side every step of the way. Trust Him and Follow Him.

"The Savior has not only walked the course, but will walk it again with you every step of the way." - Elaine S. Dalton

Happiness

The past couple of weeks I have thought a lot about happiness and the nature of it. I have talked with many friends and family about the subject. I asked many questions life how they define happiness, what makes them happy, and where it comes from. I have been enlightened with so many different answers and ideas and I am fascinated with it all! I wanted to share a thought or two on happiness. (Not to mention, I just got back from Disneyland where you can't help but feel happy!)

I found a talk given by President James E. Faust a number of years ago called "Our Search for Happiness". In his talk he said a few things that I don't think we recognize on our own. President Faust said, "Having lived quite a few years now, I have concluded that since we don't always desire that which is good, having all our desires granted to us would not bring us happiness. In fact, instant and unrestrained gratification of all our desires would be the shortest and most direct route to unhappiness." 


The Prophet Joseph Smith taught,"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected by Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).


In closing this is a poem given in President Faust's talk with an unknown author:


Success is speaking words of praise,

In cheering other people’s ways,

In doing just the best you can

With every task and every plan.

It’s silence when your speech would hurt,

Politeness when your neighbor’s curt.

It’s deafness when the scandal flows

And sympathy with others’ woes.

It’s loyalty when duty calls.

It’s courage when disaster falls.

It’s patience when the hours are long.

It’s found in laughter and in song.

It’s in the silent time of prayer,

In happiness and in despair.

In all of life and nothing less,

We find the thing we call success.

Not Our Home

"This earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of "the great plan of happiness" so we can return home and know what it means to be there." - Bruce C. Hafen

I find this quote to be so profound and enlightening to the soul. I love this reminder that we are here to master the lessons of the plan of happiness which could not be here without the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ. But it's the last phrase that hit home. "so we can return home and know what it means to be there." Life may be hard and the world may be troubled but this is not our home. God has sent us here to TRY to master the lessons of His great plan so that we may surely know what it means to be there with Him at home.

Have a great weekend!:)

You Are My Hands

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk in last year's April conference entitled "You Are My Hands". This talk is one that teaches us the ways of the Savior and the love He has for each one of us. I wanted to focus on the importance of Love within the church. As quoted from the talk, "Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope."(emphasis added)

It is very obvious that Love plays a key role in our existence and it also plays a role in our salvation. It is up to us to love others as Christ does. It is up to us to serve others with all purpose of heart and with charity. Love is more than a four-letter word... it is an action that we should be extending to all of God's children. This next quote gives us just a few of the blessings we receive by reaching out to others with Christlike love. "As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit." (emphasis added)

In closing, “Let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others, for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn.” I can testify that when I forget myself and go to work I can see just a minuscule of the love Christ has for me. I feel happier and I feel that my spirit is stronger. EVERYONE around us is walking on a difficult path and there are those that need our help. Let us extend our hands and our hearts.

Its a new week! Make it good :)