Self-think

I love Beatrice the Biologist. Katie, a former biology teacher who's the author of this website, and she's adorable, loves to talk, read and write about science and here (link) illustrates all she's thinking about. She's gabby and super talented! I peek in once in a while for perspectives on my health and mind (even crazy tendencies) through her "visual commentary."

Beatrice wants us to get how Low Self Esteem is Weird with this vignette below. Sure – just, I'm getting that regular self talk, self-think, can go back and forth all day every day.




And I don't stick with thoughts like "worst and kinda terrible." I do notice I talk down to myself periodically, though usually – and a lot because of regular browsing on delicious, fun, elevating, energizing websites – I think myself right back up to normal.

And better.

Real life

I'm still reading "The Broken Heart" by Bruce Hafen and loving especially one thing (goodness I'm only at the beginning of chapter one and there's so much insight)! He's talking about the parable Jesus gave of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the ninety and nine and looks for the one... then writes: "Ordinarily, when we think of lost sheep, we think of those who become 'lost' through deliberate unfaithfulness to God."

He considers how in our hymn "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd" "we sing not only of the Shepherd's concern for his sheep, but also for the need for 'undershepherds' to help reclaim lost sheep to the 'fold,' usually meaning activity in the church." He goes on,

"I once heard a child tell the parable of the lost sheep in a way that stirred fresh thoughts about who the lost sheep is. A little girl so tiny that we could barely see the top of her ponytails over the pulpit told the story in a sacrament meeting. Her mother knelt by her side and coached her gently as she talked. She said, 'There was once a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. He loved his sheep, so he counted them every day. One day he counted: '... ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine.' A little sheep was lost. The shepherd went to find him. The little sheep was far off in the rocks and bushes. He was frightened and lonely. The shepherd called, 'Little she-eep...' The little sheep heard him and was glad. He said, 'Baa-aa.' The shepherd came and found the little sheep. He picked him up and carried him on his shoulder back to his mommy. Then he counted again: '... ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred.' All the sheep were safely home.'"

Again he considers... it dawns on him: "I am the lost sheep. Others I know and love – including many who attend church – are the little lost sheep. There are so many times when we feel lost. We can feel lost even if we have not 'left the fold' in the sense of leaving the Church or violating major commandments."

"Adam and Eve must at times have felt like lost sheep. They were originally in God's presence, then left him through an act we sometimes call a sin, but which might also be called an act of independence. They were cast out of their garden of innocence into the lone and dreary world. 'Out in the desert they wandered, hungry and helpless and cold.'

1. They began to suffer pain as a consequence of their independent action.
2. In humility and childlike faith they called upon God for help.
3. They offered sacrifices as instructed by an angel, even though they had no idea why they should.
4. Through the symbol of sacrifice they were then taught about the Savior and were shown how they could return to God's presence through his Atonement.
5. They rejoiced in the miraculous possibility that he might one day carry them home again into the presence of their father."

Elder Hafen writes...

The lost sheep are not just the people who don't come to church. . . . The lost sheep is a mother who goes down into the valley of the dark shadows to bring forth children. The lost sheep is a young person, far away from home and faced with loneliness and temptation. The lost sheep is a person who has just lost a critically needed job; a business person in financial distress; a new missionary in a foreign culture; a man just called to be bishop; a married couple who are misunderstanding each other; a grandmother whose children are forgetting her. I am the lost sheep. You are the lost sheep. "All we like sheep have gone astray." (Isaiah 53:6)

----
"Mortality is not mere estrangement from God - it is the crucible through which the possibility of truly meaningful life becomes real."

May We Ever Be Courageous

Fifth in a series of five posts beginning March 25th.

“As we go about living from day to day, it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not…

“May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.” “Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 60, 67.

Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone?

We Need Spiritual and Moral Courage

Fourth in a series of five posts beginning March 25th.

“The messages portrayed on television, in movies, and in other media [today] are very often in direct opposition to that which we want our children to embrace and hold dear. It is our responsibility not only to teach them to be sound in spirit and doctrine but also to help them stay that way, regardless of the outside forces they may encounter. This will require much time and effort on our part—and in order to help others, we ourselves need the spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on every side.” “Three Goals to Guide You,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 118–19.

May our Heavenly Father bless each of you... in your homes, in your families, in your very lives — that you may merit the glorious salutation of the Savior of the World: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Have Courage to Stand for Truth

Third in a series of five posts beginning March 25th.

“[May] you have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your life.”“May You Have Courage,” Ensign, May 2009, 126.

You are some of our Heavenly Father’s strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth “for such a time as this.” With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes.

Withstand with Courage

Second in a series of five posts beginning March 25th.

“What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage. 

• Courage may be necessary for you to believe; 
• it will at times be necessary as you obey. 
• It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence.” 

“Believe, Obey, and Endure,” Ensign, May 2012, 129.

Believe that remaining strong and faithful to the truths of the gospel is of utmost importance. I testify that it is!

Courage Brings God’s Approval

From the First Presidency Message in the April Ensign comes excerpts offered by President Thomas S. Monson on courage. I'm placing each of five paragraphs, five excerpts from former articles President Monson's written in former Ensign issues (now gathered into this April issue) into five separate posts because I think each needs its space within which to be considered. I truly love this month's First Presidency Message's format offering such viewpoints on the one subject:

Courage Brings God’s Approval
Withstand with Courage
Have Courage to Stand for Truth
We Need Spiritual and Moral Courage
and
May We Ever Be Courageous

Today's is the first.
-----

“We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. As we move forward, striving to live as we should, we will surely receive help from the Lord and can find comfort in His words.” “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign, May 2014, 69.

Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully but also as the determination to live decently.

Talk

This pretty much goes along with what I've been telling myself lately. Well, reminding myself. Because I do forget. I forget to look at my thoughts.

Lately, I'm looking. I pay attention. I'm in a learning curve FOR REAL! Correct whatever I've been saying to myself out of, well, ridiculous life-long habit, overreacting, forgetfulness, whatever. Out of knee-jerkness, pain, euphoria, whim.



I'm learning to guide my feelings all day long by WHAT I TELL MYSELF. Whatever I tell myself is true may be exactly what I've already been thinking if that's strong and good, and that just steadies me and can certainly LIFT. I like that.

But if not, I talk myself out of it.

Heavenly hands

The last chapter in Bruce C. Hafen's book The Believing Heart: Nourishing the Seed of Faith is titled "When Do the Angels Come?" The last pages in this chapter teach eloquently, poignantly, of these times. I hunted online for the possibility some LDS source had quoted these pages in Elder Hafen's book (so I wouldn't have to type it all up). Look, in April 1992 part of this chapter did become an Ensign Article...

When Do the Angels Come?
The ministry of angels in the lives of ordinary, devoted people often goes unrecognized.

At certain sacred times, God has sent his holy angels to instruct and minister to his children. Think of the angel who first taught Adam about the Atonement; the angel who announced to Mary that she would bear the child Jesus; the angels who sang glories to God the night of Christ’s birth; the angel who comforted the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane; and the angels who brought the keys of the Restoration to Joseph Smith.

No wonder the angels came at such times. These were history’s crowning events. But angels have also come at times that were significant mostly because of their personal, spiritual meaning in the lives of ordinary but faithful men and women.

Though it was on LDS Living (link) I found the whole of these two pages I wanted... yeah! I've pasted it here. It's wonderful!

If we are true and faithful, the Lord himself may be "in [our] midst and [we] cannot see [him]." (D&C 38:7.) Even if we do not see him, he can "be on [our] right hand and on [our] left, and [his] Spirit shall be in [our] hearts," and  angels will be "round about [us], to bear [us] up." (D&C 84:88.)

Greg Olsen

When do the angels come? I suppose they come:

When a father who feels unworthy to bless his child asks another man to speak for God to his little one; and the father, listening, resolves that he will become worthy, that the priesthood for his children may be his own hands and his own voice.

When a young woman is with a young man whom she honestly loves, but he grows weak in the face of temptation. In the crucial moment, she teaches him tenderly about restraint, and he knows that she truly cares for him, and that she cares for his future and her own, and perhaps one day for their future together.

When a man in his mid-thirties is tormented by a crisis of his faith in the restored Church--he sees a close friend lose his testimony and leave the Church; his bishop uses poor judgment in handling an unfounded accusation against the man's wife; and he finds that the sermons and lessons he hears in Church seem increasingly superficial. He suppresses his impulses toward cynicism and cries out in many prayers for perspective, patience, and new light.

When a mother and her child watch together after dark, as the moon comes up to greet them, and they talk together softly of the secrets of the night, of the God above who loves them, and the purpose of all they see. The seeds of faith are planted and love's own warmth is felt.

When a father walks the floor of a hospital room through the hours of the night, trying to comfort the cries of a very sick baby, knowing that the sleep he needs must wait, perhaps for many nights; and knowing that the life of his child is in the Lord's own hands.

When a kindly bishop befriends the young, showing that he understands them and can keep their secrets. And in the quiet of the evening one comes to him to talk; and as one heart listens to another, the tears of remorse flow together with the tears of understanding. A soul begins to heal, forgiveness begins to work its miracle, and the bishop has a lifelong friend.

When a husband speaks harsh words that wound his companion's heart; seeing her tears of pain, this time his anger turns to shame and he asks her to forgive. She forgives him, again, but asks if such hurt must come again; and not only does he promise, but next time controls that anxious tongue, and this temple marriage becomes gradually more celestial.

When a single woman blessed with both intelligence and professional training feels continually undervalued and put down by many men with whom she interacts at Church and with whom she works at her office. Years of frustration build toward anger that begins to color her interpretation of every event and every relationship. She remembers the blessing of having been close to sensitive, loving patriarchs in her life-- her father, a teacher, and a humble stake patriarch--and she prays for patience and the gift of knowing how to help both men and women work in harmony together with compassionate understanding.

When a tall, college-age grandson has far too much to do, but sees, without being asked to see, that his frail grandmother yearns to be taken for a walk outdoors. He knows his needs can wait, and he engages her fully in happy conversation as they stride along together, his strong arm holding her clasped hands.

I suppose the angels come for such as this.

Strive to become a beautiful person

President Thomas Monson in a talk to the Young Women in April 2005 used a phrase I haven't ever forgotten: Code of conduct. Here's what he said.

Precious young women, and you mothers, Young Women leaders, and advisers, may I leave with you a code of conduct to guide your footsteps safely through mortality and to the celestial kingdom of our Heavenly Father. I have divided my code of conduct into four parts:

• You have a heritage; honor it.
• You will meet temptation; withstand it.
• You know the truth; live it.
• You possess a testimony; share it.

Thinking in terms of this conduct, I found another phrase in this quote that I think is essential! Comport yourself.

Does this apply?

I was writing in my journal one morning recently about how I've been feeling about my lack of exercising: meh, needing to exert myself. (I preach that like nobody's business!) I'm totally lacking ganas (Spanish for “being in the mood for,” “zeal,” or “inclination”) for moving my muscles.

Here's the deal. My body doesn't mind pushing hard... it's just, lately my mind doesn't want to be dragged along.

"No walking still. I have no ganas for getting out to work out," I've written. "Lethargy sure feeds on itself. But also, the exercise bug bites hard every day if I’m exerting. The one always urges itself along, and I hate/love that. Soooo. I keep thinking I need to get back to breathing hard and pushing myself... though I too much like this R&R I've indulged in since Marcia’s grandkids have come (she's tending them for eight days) and she stopped walking with me early in the morning – and since Laura’s away from home and lately the stress of her illness hasn't been so much on my mind and in my body. I've had respite I'm oh-so-sorely needing, and to push myself is NOT what I wish for right now."

You know, I'm not feeling so much a tiger as I am a pussycat just now.

(Does this apply?)

My response

Thanks Sherri for posting this on your blog recently (link). I read every word then wanted to put it here... here is where I come often to re-read  important things for me.

Everything in life helps us come face to face with ourselves, huh.

This is a treasure.

More puzzling

Today's the "another post" I wrote about yesterday I would put here. Remember: "I've been making things a lot lately. Or making a lot of things lately.

Like puzzles."

Mm, lately, a puzzle every three or four days. What's with the obsession?

Winter (which we did not have but one day on Christmas when it snowed hard) blues?

Boredom... or fascination? !!

Perhaps bringing order to all the chaos in my life?

Erm, why am I always philosophical? So bless-ed earnest? Tell me.

'Cause making puzzles right now...

Is. Just. Fun. :-)

March 8th.


11th.


16th.


19th. Today. Movin' this one right along.



  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
     ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 
✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  

Made this. It's delish!

I've been making things a lot lately. Or making a lot of things lately. Like puzzles. I'll picture some of them in another post. If you like. Or whatever.

Brownie Cookies. See my nod to St. Paddy's day.

And this. Wow, good. From my Smith's/Kroger flyer that came in the mail this past week.


Do you know how good half a 6 oz. carton of vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt (half, because it's thick and rich; I use Kroger-brand) atop a couple of spoonfuls of this crunchy granola recipe... and then many-several fresh blueberries atop that is?

You're missin' out if you're not having that for breakfast once in a while. I swear.

My nod to St. Paddy's day

I made these cakey brownie cookies.

Synthia, my niece, made them two nights ago and offered me one and as soon as I put it in my mouth I begged for the recipe. Which she e-mailed me.



I picked up a brownie mix, a mix in a box,when I went to the store (this one) → → → → → → →

...though gee you could find "brownie cookie" recipes online, like, Martha Stewart must have one, right?

... and to it added four ounces of cream cheese, one egg, a fourth of a cup of butter, two tablespoons of flour and one cup mint chocolate chips.

Mix that in a mixer til a soft dough forms then drop onto a cookie sheet and bake twelve minutes at 350 degrees.

These are fudgy-good, mm, made better even by a capful (not a cupful) of peppermint extract in the dough!

Even when we're not perfect

Fred Rogers’ view of love

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle.

To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”

"The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember."

Mister Rogers used to talk about loving someone with examples of spending time with them and helping them. On his shows he would say,

"People can love us, even when we're not perfect."

I sure remember his every-day way of bringing up life subjects on a level my kids – who am I kidding, I – could understand! He regularly talked about anger. Touched on scary dreams; divorce; death; competition; even war. He talked constantly about neighborliness, singing at the start of every show what we all remember: "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

He closed every show saying,

"You always make each day a special day. You know how: By just your being you. There's only one person in the whole world that's like you, and that's YOU. And people can like you just the way you are."

Always

Mom's party

After dinner last night Chris and his fiancee Julie and her son Tucker and Chris's boys Andrew and Ben; and Laura and Sharm and Marcia came over to join Kent and I and dad and of course mom, the celebratee (the Birthday Girl!) in a cake-and-ice-cream social. Sarah called from Hawaii in the big middle of us serving up, so she was even there! Good timing, Sare!



Mom waited for the cake to come to the table with one lighted candle on it. I don't mind telling you, and she wouldn't mind you knowing, she's 79 this year.



Thanks Marcia for these two pics...



I helped her blow the candle out – that took both of us – after we sang "Happy Birthday to You." She sang along!

Mom's been pretty with it, joining in her own party fun.



Now, after... tired, ready to go home downstairs and to bed.



We love you Mom! You'll never know how much. I suppose, but don't know... you probably do have ways of knowing the love of your family even now.

That which you do not change remains the same

The post title is a quote by dad. I've heard it all my life. Here's another way to say it.



It's true.

Monkey'in around

Oh gosh I always put my grandkids on my feet and "fly" 'em! Look at the grip this adult monkey's toes have on its offspring, though – it's got, like, four hands, whereas my kids have to just way trust they'll stay aloft on my flat bare feet!

Wonder if this little guy can do a forward roll off the feet like my kiddos can... and back bends and back flips, not to mention.

Who's aping who here, I wonder? !!

Think it through

Strength

Marcia brought up a great example this morning as we walked around the track at the Rec Center... we were talking about the enabling power of the Atonement and she cited Elder Bednar's recent talk where in the Book of Mormon the people who had been baptized by Alma in the waters of Mormon were taken by Lamanites and the Amulonites and ruled over and had tasks put on them terrible to be endured. Though they were persecuted and threatened if they prayed out loud they begged the Lord in their hearts for relief, pouring out their hearts to Him silently, understanding He would hear their cries. God responded saying,

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

You know this story. The people felt their burdens were eased; a careful reading of the verses in Mosiah chapter 24 shows they were eased because the Lord strengthened the people that they could bear them, and would submit cheerfully – and with patience – to the will of the Lord.

Another story from the Book of Mormon. This Marcia also brought up: remember Nephi reproving his brothers at one point with these words, that if they'd stayed in Jerusalem they would have perished. Jerusalem had been overrun and he knew it and he wanted his brothers to know it – they'd have been lost. Remember the older

brothers became so enraged they put their hands on him and with exceeding wrath did

...bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

Imagine not having the physical strength to free yourself. Nephi comprehends what's next... his words to his brothers in the midst of this anguish show his understanding: he doesn't beg for circumstances to be changed; nor pout or whine, after, trussed; doesn't self-pity or enjoy righteous anger at his brothers. With his strength too little and circumstances not bound (speaking of that, ha!) to change... he appeals to the Lord. Then with persistence and personal strength beyond his normal capacity he works on the cords so that literally he's enabled to break the bands.

But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound; And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

Power to this individual came as it did centuries later to the faithful who followed Alma, those persecuted, who understood the source of deliverance, and if not that immediately, strength to endure over the long haul, and overcome. Who grew in confidence they could carry a burden... in Nephi's case, loose the bands. As their faith and reaching for Christ's enabling power increased, their strength surmounted their circumstances.

Our life is inextricable from Christ's. We are His and He has offered Himself ours. His enabling power is ours, "our" strength by which we may be eased, loose the bands, endure, and ultimately overcome. As He did – I love the promises in the Book of Revelation which say those who overcome may eat of the tree of life; not be hurt of the second death; eat of the hidden manna; receive power over the nations; be clothed in white raiment and their name shall not be blotted out of the book of life but be confessed before the Father by Christ Himself; be made a pillar in the temple of God; be granted to sit down with Christ on the throne; be made kings and priests unto God and his Father... excellent promises.

We do all that is in our power to do for ourselves. We one-hundred percent believe in Christ's enabling power, that aspect of His atoning sacrifice for us. We do more than believe: we reach for it and apply it in our circumstances, calling on God in faith. When or if we do not, we deny Him power to strengthen and lift us... and His own hands are tied. And we deny ourselves the blessings that always, always follow such enabling power.

Success

I like this poem. I found it in the same talk by President James E. Faust, "Our Search for Happiness" (link), I quoted from a few days ago here. I printed it in big font and taped it to the wall next to my computer so I can read it every day.

The picture below of someone...

we don't see his face, it could be us or someone else every minute...

struggling to perhaps "greener grass" on the other side of the fence says as much as the poem.

If it IS someone else, let's encourage and help.

If it's US – keep overcoming!



Success
Success is speaking words of praise,
In cheering other people's ways.
In doing just the best you can,
With every task and every plan.
It's silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor's curt.
It's deafness when the scandal flows,
And sympathy with others' woes.
It's loyalty when duty calls,
It's courage when disaster falls.
It's patience when the hours are long,
It's found in laughter and in song.
It's in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair.
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.
Author Unknown

Cure for boredom

Can I suggest we practice curiosity in the perspectives of others, folks who are, erm, Not Like Us? Or who We Are Not Like, whatever...?

I'm questioning myself a lot in this way. Lately.

Mostly.

I'm naturally curious when I wander paths at Red Butte Gardens, hike our mountain trails, and ride beside Kent along shared-use bike paths. Enough that too often I swerve. Off. I explore. I say to my sisters regularly I'm a transgressor veering onto dirt trails or shortcuts oftentimes (for something interesting appears!), verily leaving the proverbial "strait and narrow." Though back to Red Butte – I respect, I do SO, the plaques posted in the herbs and annuals and alongside large plots that preach, "Stay On The Path." "Don't get curious enough here (like you do hiking and biking) to step in our dirt."

Ah, well, curiosity... might we nevertheless seek out the sure-enough messy perspectives of others? I have to say...

People Are interesting Messy.

It’s what makes us (even you) so not boring!

The party's over

I've taken almost no pictures of my sister Sarah since she got to town February 20th through the days leading to Danny's and Brooke's wedding this past Saturday the 28th. What have I been thinking?!!

And at the kids' reception, still no great picture. Here's the best anyway of the kids greeting guests – so happy they are! The happiest sight I saw though was my sister's face, eyes dancing and smile like sunshine as I entered the room and hugged her hello... happy with the wedding and the day and the party and her pretty dress, and now seeing us with whom she's come to share her joy... all the things indeed the groom's mom should be super-extra-special happy about on her son's and new daughter-in-law's wedding day.



Sarah left us this morning. She'll fly home in a few days though she's visiting her daughter's family a a few days first... we sisters've had our time with her. She mentioned this morning when she came to say goodbye to mom and dad and Kent and I that she's come here five times in the past year and can't believe her good luck – and the events that've called her from home to here during that time. One of them was her daughters' graduations last spring, and she stayed to help me through surgery, remember?

I'd called her and texted her this morning to see if she could pop by before leaving or should I walk over to Marcia's to hug her and help her with her luggage... and missed her. She did come though – she rang the doorbell during breakfast and walked upstairs to visit. Her text to me much later, long after we'd hugged and looked each other in the eye and said I love you, and she was being driven (with our other sisters) to Adrienne's, says: "Sorry I missed your text and phone calls. I've missed our talky talk times. Another trip. You are still my beloved sister! Thank you for just being you."

I answered her "Ditto, ditto, ditto... we're doing our best today, aren't we. Love you!"

And the party's over.

Our Search for Happiness

By President James E. Faust, October 2000

The more faithfully we keep the commandments of God, the happier we will generally be.

The treasure house of happiness is unlocked to those who live the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity. Like a mariner without stars, like a traveler without a compass, is the person who moves along through life without a plan. The assurance of supreme happiness, the certainty of a successful life here and of exaltation and eternal life hereafter, come to those who plan to live their lives in complete harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ—and then consistently follow the course they have set” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 259).

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.