How can we find the road to happiness in our turbulent world? Happiness comes from righteousness, selflessness, service, and inner peace.
Photo by Omarukai
In our constant search for happiness, we experience life’s endless ups and downs. While serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder James E. Faust (1920–2007) spoke to students at Brigham Young University about the importance of recognizing and cherishing the elusive moments of happiness that we do experience.
“The problem,” he says, “is that too many of us try to consume happiness rather than generate it.” Some believe that having the latest and greatest product will make them happy, and others believe that being surrounded by endless friends will bring ultimate joy. Elder Faust counters these beliefs: “Our search for happiness largely depends on the degree of righteousness we attain, the degree of selflessness we acquire, the amount and quality of service we render, and the inner peace that we enjoy.”
Instead of constantly seeking happiness outside of ourselves, we need to remember that happiness lies within us as we keep the commandments of God. Elder Faust points us to Mosiah 2:41, where King Benjamin encourages us to “consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness.”
As we obey the Lord’s commandments, become selfless, and serve those around us, we discover inner peace and happiness. Ultimately, as Elder Faust says, “the odyssey to happiness lies in the dimension of the heart.”
Read Elder James E. Faust’s full article, “Our Search for Happiness.”
Source: BYU Speeches
—Breanna Simmons, Mormon Insights
Photo courtesy of Porsche Brosseau
I love this! Thanks for sharing.