The Journey is the Destination

We may not always be happy with our circumstances, but when we try to make the best of the situation, we will be blessed.

We may think we know how our life is going to turn out. We may imagine having a big house, a well-paying job, or the perfect partner; but oftentimes life doesn’t turn out how we anticipate. However, we can still make the best of any situation—and when we do, we will be blessed. In the article “Act Upon This Land as for Years,” Dennis C. Gaunt describes the story of some of the early Latter-day Saints who were staying on the farm of a fellow church member, Leman Copley. They wondered how long they would be there, and the prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation: 

“And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good” (D&C 51:16–17).

These Saints didn’t know how long they were going to be on that farm, but the Lord counselled them to “act on this land as for years”—in other words, to do their best to act as if the farm would be their final destination. The Saints were promised that if they did this, they would be blessed. 

Life is not always what we hope it will be, and according to Gaunt, “We may not be satisfied with our circumstances and thus spend time wondering when things will change. If we do this, we miss out on wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth.” Let us try and do our best regardless of our situation because the journey is the destination. 

Read more about doing your best, regardless of the circumstance, in Dennis C. Gaunt’s article “Act Upon This Land as for Years.”

Source: Liahona

—Auburn Wilcox, Latter-day Saint Insights

FEATURE IMAGE BY PAULA MAY

Find more insights 

Read more about patience in an article by Jenna Ahern, “Setting Our Watches to God’s Time.”

Learn more about finding joy along the way in President Thomas S. Monson’s talk “Joy in the Journey.”