Family SOTW: True Happiness

Elder Christofferson

When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma’s description of what it feels like: “It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”⁶You will know that the gospel is being written in your heart, that your conversion is happening, as the word of the Lord from His prophets, past and present, feels more and more delicious to your soul.

When Thou Art Converted, Apr 2004

President Eyring

Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. We have all heard those words. Yet we may read a few lines or pages of scripture every day and hope that will be enough. But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.

Serve with the Spirit, Oct. 2010

Elder Bednar

One of the best ways to draw near unto Him and to both learn about and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ is to consistently study the holy scriptures—to daily “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3).Please notice that I used the word study and not the word read. Studying and feasting suggest a focus and an intensity that reach far beyond casual reading or quick perusing. Studying and feasting, followed by sincere prayer and steadfast application of the truths and principles we learn, yield personal resolve, spiritual commitment, and the bright light of testimony. Studying, learning, praying, and appropriately applying gospel truths are all key elements in the process of coming unto the Savior.

Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes, Apr 2006

Friday, June 18, 2010

True Happiness

"Let us realize that we are not to live to ourselves, but to God; by so doing the greatest blessings will rest upon us both in time and in eternity." Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:231

We are placed in this probationary state of mortality to learn to put off the natural, selfish, worldly man and become men and women of Christ. If we live for ourselves-our interests, our desires, our whims and wants-we ultimately end up empty and unfulfilled, ever longing for elusive peace and contentment. All the alluring things in this world will never fully satisfy the deep longings of the soul. We know, as Joseph the Prophet instructed, that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (D&C 130:21-22). Indeed, great blessings of joy and peace await the obedient. We will be blessed both here and hereafter as we live with "faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God" (D&C 4:5).
Lloyd D. Newell

I'm so grateful to have the gospel in my life. I know that as I try my best to live closer to God and keep the commandments that he will bless me. True happiness comes from living the gospel. We are so blessed to know this and to be able to share it with others.

Alisha

1 comment:

Gunnar and BrittneyJune 18, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Lish... you ROCK! Thanks for starting us off with a bang! I too know that true happiness comes from living this Gospel. I have tasted the bitter and the sweet, I have seen the bad and the good, I have lived on both sides of the fence and I can testify of the difference. Christ has made more of my life than I EVER could have on my own! All the good things that have happened to me in my life can truly be traced back to the decision I made as a young 15 year old punk to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make it the center of my life. I have never looked back; and I have never been happier!
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