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Pursuit of Happiness

Yesterday Elder Jefferey R. Holland was the Tuesday devotional speaker. It. Was. Amazing. I was able to close my office so Kevin and I could go up to listen. I am so glad I did.

Elder Holland talked about the living after the manner of happiness. He talked about how happiness is something that we have to work towards every day. Happiness is a way of living. When we pattern our lives after the Savior and strive to live like him we find true happiness.

One part I really loved was when he talked about being a living expression of God's love. Through our eyes, face, and smile we can show others kindness and love and they can feel of God's love through us. I saw the most amazing example of this last night. I went to the temple with a couple friends. As we went through the endowment session I thought a lot about Elder Hollands devotional.

As I was sitting towards the end of the session I saw this sweet older lady walk into the room with the biggest smile on her face. I instantly felt love radiating from her. I couldn't help but smile every time I looked at her. Each time I saw her smile I felt like I was getting a huge hug. She was being a living expression of God's love to me. After the session I went up and told her that her smile had made my day.  She may never know what she did for me but through her example I can become better. I can be that smile that helps someone else feel of God's love that day. I can be that living expression of God's love every day of my life. Happiness is found through the Savior. Serving others as he would is what brings true happiness into our hearts. Happiness isn't found through anger or being negative. Happiness is found through love and kindness shown to others.

I came home from the temple feeling so uplifted. I wrote in my journal that I wanted to bottle up those amazing feelings I was having so I could open them up on a "rainy day". It hit me hard that I cant do that. But I can live my life in a way that gives me the opportunity to feel that way again. Serving others and striving to be that living expression of God's love will help me live after the manner of happiness.

"Love God, love each other, be true to the gospel." -Elder Holland

That is living after the manner of happiness.


Until next time...

Comments

  1. Reading this after watching the women's broadcast last Saturday night makes the thought of living a happy life and letting the Lord's light shine through us even more meaningful to me! Thank you for sharing! I love you and I miss you!

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