After the Manner of Happiness

What is this thing we call happiness?

Here is a list of simple, day to day occurrences or things that make me happy. For example:

• a genuine smile or compliment from a stranger
• a cup of greek yogurt 
• thunderstorms
• a reuniting hug from a friend that time has previously separated
• a rediscovered love note
• quiet, still, crisp early mornings just before the sun rises
• silly text messages from my hilarious, adorable sister
• a well deserved nap
• academic accomplishment 
• memories of times gone by
• dreaming and planning the future, all incorporated with anticipation of the unknown

In the Book of Mormon ----------------->  ( Get a Free Copy Here!! ) in the book of Alma, it reads

"Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth. Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness."

- Alma 27:17-18

I got thinking about this scripture today when I first read it in my personal scripture study. I thought to myself, "am I truly happy? What makes me truly happy?" Ammon was a mighty prophet who dedicated his life to the preaching of the Gospel. I reflect on the short 18 months I was given to be the best missionary I could be, to share the Gospel message in a way I had never done before, and most importantly, to strengthen a deep, internal conversion to the Gospel Jesus Christ.

I would be lying if I said those 18 months as a missionary were all blissful, magical, and wonderful. And for the most part, they were!! However, there were some days that were hard, and a lot harder than I imagined them to be. One thing I learned early on, as we are taught in the scriptures, is that must needs be for opposition in all things. Some days I get down on myself for not making it up to "par" at the standard I have set for myself, or perhaps even the standard in which others have set for me. Discouragement is a hard competitor of happiness, and if he wins he smothers it, making us feel lonely, overwhelmed, and ready to give up.

In moments like these, where the world comes crashing down on my head like a bag of bricks, I try and think of Ammon, whose joy "was so great even that he was full….[being swallowed up in the joy of his God…]" Amidst my sadness I think where my priorities lie. Have I been putting God first in my life? Where is the pavilion, as President Henry B. Eyring contemplated? If we are feeling far from God, it is because we have removed ourselves from the presence of God; it is not His doing. He is always there, ready to grasp our shaking hand, to walk and talk for a while, and steady our weary souls.

True happiness is found in the love of God. True, fulfilling happiness is found in the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. True, lasting happiness is found in making promises with God, under the right authority, that bind us to specific blessings and gifts from on High, if we but hold true to our end of the "bargain."

So I ask myself again….what is happiness? What is TRUE happiness? For me, true happiness is...

• early morning scripture reading
• uninterrupted, verbal, personal prayer with my Heavenly Father first thing when I wake up, right before I go to bed, and as many other occasions during the day that time allows (but always having a prayer in my heart.)
• understanding a new Gospel concept -- that "lightbulb" moment
• temple trips
• Skyping with my friends I had the privilege of introducing the Gospel to in Germany
• Family time
• quiet moments in my favorite thinking spots where I really have the chance to "be still and know." And, through patience, I do come to know.

I know that we reach a fuller capacity to have wholesome, glowing light in our lives when we use our gift of agency, our ability to choose, to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His teachings. That often means making sacrifices, but when we take those necessary steps to becoming more like Him, He blesses us much more abundantly than we could ever humanly fathom.

Happy Sunday all!

--Natalie