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Is the Gospel Helping You Be Happy?

If it’s not, you might be thinking the gospel simply isn’t working for you. Consider these suggestions.

Picture quote with mountain: "This beautiful gospel is so simple a child can grasp it, yet so profound and complex that it will take a lifetime and even an eternity or study and discovery to fully understand it."

photo by Tyssul Patel

Everybody in the world is searching for happiness. Everything a person does is to achieve greater happiness. Sometimes it’s for immediate gratification—like the simple joy of eating ice cream. Sometimes it’s for a larger goal—perhaps earning a degree, losing weight, or raising righteous children.

Heavenly Father designed us to crave happiness, and because he loves us, he gave us the means and direction to achieve the most satisfying form of happiness, which is attainable only through keeping his commandments and applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf addresses those of us who may not be finding the joy the gospel is intended to bring in his talk, “It Works Wonderfully!” He gives suggestions for what to do if it’s not “working” for us:

  1. Simplify. Often we let the culture of Church life supersede the essentials.
  2. Start where you are. We don’t need to reach a threshold of righteousness before the Atonement of Jesus Christ can come into play.

If we focus on our personal journey back to our Heavenly Father, we will begin to feel the inexplicable joy that comes as we begin to overcome our weaknesses (Ether 12:27). We will also feel the real love of God as we begin to understand his desires for us. And we will enjoy the peace the Spirit will undoubtedly bring as we begin to develop into the person God would have us be. We really begin to understand the Savior’s Atonement as we personalize it and apply it directly to our wounds.

Read or watch President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s address “It Works Wonderfully!” to learn how to better feel the joy the gospel brings.

Source: LDS General Conference

—Allie Bowen, Mormon Insights

feature image by alex jones

Find more insights

Take a look at Elder M. Russell Ballard’s address, “Stay in the Boat and Hold On.”

Why would anybody want to be Mormon in the first place? Find out by reading or watching President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s remarks in “Come Join with Us.”

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One Comment

  1. Tatiana Hernandez

    Wow, somehow this article aligns so well with concerns I’ve been having (and that some of my other friends have been having, as well). Definitely inspired words by President Uchtdorf. The gospel really is all about each of us individually because the Lord loves us individually.

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