Although everyone feels sad or angry at times, we can color our days with more happy moments as we stay on the gospel path.
Photo by Kyle Smith
In the talk “Three Sisters,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells the story of three sisters: one sad, one mad, and one glad. He notes that at times, we may demonstrate characteristics of the sad and mad sisters, but as disciples of Jesus Christ we can experience the overall happiness and hope of the third sister, despite difficult circumstances.
It’s important to periodically evaluate our attitudes—are we acting more like the sad, mad, or glad sister?—to see whether we need to make course corrections. President Uchtdorf shares two negative personas to look out for in our lives:
The victim frequently compares herself to others, especially on social media. President Uchtdorf reminds each of us that when we’re feeling like a victim, we should remember that we are children of an Almighty God. Divinity courses through our veins.
The hater refuses to take responsibility for his misfortunes. When something bad happens, it’s because of the selfishness of others. President Uchtdorf teaches us that when we have feelings of indignance, we should remember that the Savior taught us to love our enemies (see Matthew 5:44).
In contrast to these two personas, the authentic disciple can find joy in the midst of even the most challenging trials. The disciple trusts in the Lord’s promises, even in the face of persecution. This person clings to the iron rod and values the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
President Uchtdorf acknowledges that many things in life are beyond our control, prompting us to become sad or mad, but we do get to choose how we’ll respond. As we choose to be grateful and strive to be authentic disciples, we can experience more moments, days, and years of happiness.
Read more of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk “Three Sisters” to discover how to develop a happier outlook.
Source: LDS General Conference
—Hannah DeTavis, Mormon Insights
feature image by jared sluyter
Find more insights
Read President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s general conference address “Living the Gospel Joyful” to learn how to find your best self.
Watch the video “Finding Happiness” to see how you can find joy in following Jesus Christ.
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