"I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have His Spirit. That is one reason why I know; and another is - the Lord said, through Joseph Smith, "I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance." That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person, and a beautiful man." (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols., 4:, p.222-223)
Do you LOVE that description of Father in Heaven?
Joseph Smith also said, "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, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God." (TPJS, pp. 255-56)
Sometimes I guess I need to be reminded that I SHOULD be happy. When I sit down and think about it, I really have nothing to be UNHAPPY about! Even when stuff happens, and it does happen to ALL of us, the key is in finding peace and joy in troubled times and learning how to do the hard things in a cheerful manner! At the end of class, he had us all look at our index at the back of The Pearl of Great Price, and look up "joy". As we read through the scriptures listed, he asked us to share the one that stuck out to us, or was meaningful to us in some way. The one I chose was, Ether 6:12. Since I didn't share it in class, I want to share it here!
"And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them."
It really is possible to shed tears of joy, and I can only imagine the gratitude they must have felt when they arrived at the promised land and were able to get out of their barges (I get claustrophobic just thinking about their trip across and under the many waters!) and recognize ALL of God's tender mercies along the way!
Then to top the day off, Elder Holland gave a CES fireside last night, and as always, he was powerful! His topic was taken from sections 121, 122, and 123 of the D&C. I pray the next time I face a serious trial, that I can remember his words and return to those sections for a remembrance of the teachings he extracted from them. He made me feel like I could actually get through the very hardest of life's experiences, and become a much better, stronger, more "in tune" soul because of it. "Therefore,...let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with utmost assurance,...and wait for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)
I'm going to try to REMEMBER to be CHEERFUL each and every day of my life! This picture of Tod and Kristen many Easter's ago, makes me happy:).
6 comments:
amen sister.
that was the first sunday school lesson that i have been to since being released from almost three years in the nursery... i forgot how much i needed it.
i'm so glad you got that quote... i LOVE that quote.
:)
Great quote and great scripture! And I love old pictures of the kids. I can remember them like that. Doesn't seem that long ago!
great post. I think I will print it off and hang it on my fridge. Why do I always need reminded?
Thank you, Susan. I loved this post. I had to miss church this week, so thank you for the summary. Sounds like it was a wonderful lesson. I love how you applied it to your life, too. Great perspective.
molly asked me today if she was on my top five nicest people i know list. I said no. there's one person i know definitely is, susan bunker. all i can say is i love you!
Thanks for the Sunday School thoughts. I had to go to another ward so I missed all but the end. You are an amazing lady! thanks for always inspiring me.
Post a Comment