The Pursuit of Happiness

       While praying the other night I was overwhelmed with happiness. The happiness had been there for a couple of days, but that night I was overcome by it. That night I was so completely, utterly, fully and purely happy. Nor words can explain how happy I was and that feeling lasted awhile. I was happy because it was Christmas soon, I was happy because I am loved, I was happy because I have an eternal family I get to call my own. I was happy because of the temple so near to me that I've been going to more often. I was extremely happy because I am loved by my family, friends, leaders, my ward and especially by my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so loved! And I love it! I felt this overwhelming joy even in my soul. I felt it in my heart, my mind, and my whole body and soul. I know that the only reason I could feel this limitless happiness is because I know and believe in Jesus Christ. He is the source of true joy. As I was feeling this happiness it seemed as if thoughts from Satan rebounded of the armor of God I wear that was strengthened by this joy in Christ. The anxiety and depression I deal with on a daily basis had no room to breathe and could not penetrate my thoughts or feelings. I felt happy because of all the service I have given this season and the love I have been able to spread.

        This experience was definitely a "celestial moment" (see Jan. 2016 New Era). This experience also reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for and therefore how much I have to be happy about. Soon after I returned from the hospital I read an article by Elder D. Todd Christofferson entitled Look to God Each Day ( https://www.lds.org/new-era/2015/04/look-to-god-each-day?lang=eng ). In it he talks about the Tribes of Israel who wandered the wilderness for forty days, and each new day they were given manna from Christ, but only enough for that day. He tells us how we are alike; that each day Jesus gives us enough spiritual sustenance to get us through each passing day. This teaches us to have faith and trust in the Savior that the next day He will give us more manna to allow us to continue on. Since reading that article I have looked for manna in my personal life. Something that made that day great, it can be big or small. Often times that manna is taken for granted and properly thanked for. By seeking out manna in my own life it has caused me to be more grateful for the small things that make a world of a difference to me that day. In Alma 37:6 it read; "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

        For me, seeking out at least one thing to be particularly grateful for that day has opened up my eyes to see the hand of God in my everyday life. It has also opened up my heart to the true joy of the Savior. In the most recent General Conference Elder Russell M. Nelson spoke about joy. He said; "When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening-- or not happening-- in our lives." As I daily feast on the words of the Savior (or manna) I am able to draw nearer to and get to know better my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I get to know true joy, which is only possible by focusing on God's Plan of Salvation.( https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/joy-and-spiritual-survival?lang=eng )

    I know that by partaking of our manna each day and trusting that the Savior will send more tomorrow we take up His invitation to have light in our life and can know and have true joy in everyday.



Love,
Kenzie