This week Elder Kevin Pearson spoke to us.
I enjoyed how vibrant this man was. He said a lot of good things and he spoke quickly, so I was only able to get a few of the things down.
I enjoyed how he talked about the two best decisions he ever made. They were serving a mission and getting married. He explained that everything good in his life came from those two choices. I also have made those choices and I have to say my life has been better because of them.
So the main theme of Elder Pearson's remarks were about happiness. He said that people who are happy do better in life, get better jobs and positions, have happier marriages, etc. But in order to be happy we need to understand the doctrine of happiness. He explained that happiness is a principle, like we've been learning in class. We need to live according to the plan of happiness in order to be happy. We know this plan, but he asked if we live according to it daily? Are we reading our scriptures, having meaningful prayer, and going to church faithfully? If not then we won't be happy.
Another good point that I enjoyed is that the thought process of: If I only had this... I'd be happy. He said that is delusional thinking. Happiness is a choice we make, and is not based on obtaining things.
He gave us three principles to obtain true happiness. They are:
- Decide to be happy. If you're not happy, change your attitude.
- Keep the commandments (be obedient)
- Seek always to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
I really enjoyed this devotional and it has helped me realize that I need to work on choosing to be happy and being an agent to act, not letting outside forces influence my level of happiness.
"Happiness is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" I know with out a shadow of a doubt that this is so true! I also will testify to the truth that happiness is a choice, that we can choose to be happy! Growing up my mother and grandmother would tell me all the time, mind over matter. Whatever you set your mind to you can accomplish. If you tell yourself you are going to have a great day, and maintain that mindset through out the day, YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT DAY! This is such a simple concept and easily obtained. If we all start our day out with a positive attitude, only focusing on the positive while working to overcome the negative, we will be much happier! I know this to be true! I have witnessed the difference that positive thinking makes in my daily life, and am grateful to have my free agency to so choose.
ReplyDelete"Wickedness never was happiness" is something I have heard several times in my life. Elder Pearson gave me a new perspective, that "Righteousness always is happiness". Not to say that for being righteous you'll be a millionaire, but a certain confidence and satisfaction always accompanies righteous living.
ReplyDeleteI greatly enjoyed the refreshing reminder that WE are ultimately the ones who determine our personal happiness. If we are dependent on the present circumstances to determine our happiness, we'll never fully experience real joy. If we learn to be happy and smile despite the circumstances, then we can develop eternal joy.
Wow! That was definately one of the most inspired and inspiring talks I've ever heard! I loved how Elder Pearson made the comment that happiness is a choice independant from our circumstances. To be happy, we must choose it. We must do the things that will lead us to true happiness, like reading the scriptures, praying, etc.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved how he brought attention to the examples of returned missionaries. When you are on a mission, you are more obediant than ever before, and you are happy because of it. You are always doing your best to keep the commandments. Then when you come home, you forget sometimes about those things that you have learned on your mission, and you start to do things contrary to the laws of happiness, and you wonder why you arent happy.
that really touched me, having recently come home from my mission. i know that individual happinesss is based upon individual effort to live the Gospel, and do those things that lead to happiness.
I have to agree with jared when he says this talk was inspired. I have to admit when i was listening, i was thinking "oh, this doesn't pertain to me because i already know and agree with what he is saying" i still took notes on good points that he made. Being from out of state and not having friend, friends here its been really hard on me, acquaintances are one thing, but I've been missing everyone from back home. When i started feeling down about everything i remembered what Elder Pearson, and it really got to me, i cant wait to have friends to be happy, not only that if i walked around all mopey i wouldnt make any friends at all... It was a great talk, seriously, i understand why they say that attending devotional is essential to your success in school. without devotionals i dont know what i would do, im excited to hear the next speaker
ReplyDeleteI also can testify that a simple change in attitude can bring happiness and blessings into our lives. And having the Holy Ghost as a companion definitely makes it easier on us, it warns us when we are close to breaking a commandment, and all we have to do is pay close attention for these warnings and follow what we FEEL is right.
ReplyDeleteI have heard this many times, but sitting and listing to Elder Pearson was different. I was late to devotional but I was very touched by his talk. Sometime I can do all the right things, be obedient but sometimes that isnt enough. I am blessed in my life to have people that surrounded me daily who are very happy people. They change my mood just as much as I can change mine. I want to be a happy person not only for me but for the people around me.
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