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Sunday, April 25, 2010

“To Be Joyful” cji 4/25/10




“To Be Joyful” cji 4/25/10

At what point have we given our happiness over to the cares of the world? We’re children of Heavenly Parents – they love us and care for us. They gave up their Only Begotten Son in the Flesh to be a sacrifice for our transgressions (whoever we are). This is our Eternal Linage! We’re related to Adam and Eve – and to all of their descendants. What then would make us to take on the adoptive behavior of the world and worldly?

Happiness is found in pure obedience to all of the Commandment, Statutes and Laws of the Father and the Son! There’s no other way to be joyful within this world. The understand that Jesus is the Christ – his Father is our Heavenly Father and they as our Father and elder brother want us to be happy and joyful. We as sons and daughters – fathers and mothers – grandparents – brothers and sisters desire for all of those related to us to be happy and joyful. Indeed we know that this happiness and joyfulness is primarily based upon righteousness and obedience to the Eternal Laws of the Universe. Thus if we have this light and knowledge – intelligence – then why so we set it aside?

There are several applications and reasons for the adoptive behavior not to be happy or joyful. As President Spencer W. Kimball explained in a talk the greatest reason for unhappiness in marriage, family, work, life in general is but of one cause, “Selfishness!” He said it isn’t money, sex, children, other people, events or any of the plethora of trials and tribulations we find daily in this life. It’s our refusal to change ourselves – to be righteous – to be obedient – to be unselfish – to be unloving – to be unforgiving (and forgetting).

Many times this selfishness is exploited in anger and seeking to correct all of the wrongs either against us or our friends or even for strangers. It is found in murmuring – sorrowful attitude – exploiting the letter of the law and forgetting about the spirit of the law! Seeking to correct and evil and corrupt world – to change that which is outside of us and not even in our control.

The world enhances selfish behavior – has since the days of Cain – even Satan tried to tempt Adam and Eve. Wall Street and Madison Ave. spend all of their time seeking to put the love of money and selfish desires before all else. Follywood does the same – only on big screens and popular (cult hero actors/actresses) – the media/press print lies and push personal agendas and politicians have lost any clue as to what they were elected to do for the people. The world pushes – power, wealth, lusts, greed, envy and so on for all of the temptations and evils of that which takes one away from what they were born to and from. The work 24/7 to tempt, coerce and to seduce everyone – everywhere all of the time and by whatever means might work.

Let’s understand that for the most part their work is quite easy as most of the world/worldly follow them whole-heartily – thus their efforts can be directed at a select few – those who strive to be obedient in all things and ways. There’s a Scripture which says, “Even the very elect will be fooled, Mark 13:22.” Thus this would indicate that anyone can be fooled by the wiles and seductiveness of the world and worldly. It also means that those who would strive to be worthy – righteous – obedient – serving to Father’s will – need to be very careful to the temptations of the world.

Slippage comes little by little – no one goes from being totally upright and pure in all things – to go out and commit adultery or some other great evil. Thus as we learn correct principles step by step – here a little there a little – the same is true of going the other way – and the media/press, movies, videos, Madison Ave. – chip away. One cannot pick up a magazine – or go to a web site – hear conversation in public places without being encompassed with the wiles and seductions meant to dent first their armor and then to destroy their will to be obedient.

One last aspect of being joyful or of having joy! Men and women are more afraid of this one thing (which is their birthright) than of any other thing in this world. What would give us the most joy or happiness? To stand once more in the presence of the Father and the Son and our Eternal Families! This one thing scares more people than any other thing because most of those who’re worldly know they are not worthy, (see Hugh Nibley – “Time Vindicates the Prophets).

Well enough dwelling on how not to be happy or joyful – how do we stay happy and joyful in all things and at all times? First off we keep the Sabbath Day Holy! We call upon Heavenly Father often in prayer – many times during the day! Personal prayer and family prayer are most important! Think of it like emailing a special and honored friend – which Father can become – as well as the Son! Does anyone think we can someday live in their presence with our Eternal Families and not be friends? I imagine that Father and his immediate family will want to hold our young ones – talk with us – teach us – help us and expect us to honor Him as indeed he will honor us and our families.

We need to be found in selfless service – sharing – living the covenants we’ve made in the Holy Temple. We need to be found honoring our Branch/Ward/Stake leaders – to Honor the Chosen Servants of the Lord in these Latter-days. Honoring them means holding up our end of the stewardship in all ways and at all times. We need to be found doing that which is a good example of a good example! Elder Hartmon Rector, Jr. said, “The Lord will use you – either as a good example of a good example – or as a good example of a bad example!” We need to understand sometimes the only way others learn from us is to observe how we live our lives!

Further we need to be found – humble – meek – and to be reading our Scriptures daily (private and family). The humble and meek bother many people but not when put in the proper context, i.e. humble in following the Lord – and meek in the service of the Lord. Or as found in 3 Nephi 12 – those, ‘those who come unto the Lord.’ We need to understand who we are – why we are here – what we should be doing and where we will go whether righteous or unrighteous (Doctrine and Covenants 88 and 93).

We need not to seek vengeance on a wicked world – just a waste of time and energy – we share our testimony of what we know – and then live up to the standards of that testimony – simple stuff! The Savior has told us what will be done to the wicked of this world – we need to trust in him (Psalms 73) – and get on with our lives and progressions.

We need to be joyful – and thus happy and sharing such happiness with those around us (all of the time!!). We need to not accept any of the adoptive behaviors of the world or worldly – we need to understand we’re literally children of a royal birthright and will someday inherit of this birthright. One who has and understands a testimony of Jesus Christ – of the Prophets – of the Restored Church in these Latter-days – should be the happiest people in the world – they should be full of joy – understanding literally who they are – why they’re here – where they are going – and that it is all true!

Johnny Miller – when asked why he was so nice to those who belittled him or heckled him in public life – replied, “Because I love them more than they dislike me.” This is how I try to live my life – being upbeat – happy and joyful in all things.

(Author’s Note: The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter-days – it was foretold by all of the Prophets – by the Savior – it is found in the Talmud – the Bible – and has to have happened prior to the Second Coming of the Savior. The restoration of all things – has literally been fulfilled – and the culmination is that of the Temples (or House of the Lord) with all of the ordinances now on this earth. I testify of these literal truths – and President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet on this Earth today – in the name of Jesus Christ – amen.

“To Be Joyful”

cji
4/25/10

Singing in a clear voice
Angels all now rejoice;

Pure intent and hearts
Each doing their parts;

Giving, loving, sharing
Unselfishly thus caring;

To be joyful each day
Able always to pray;

Giving, loving, sharing
Brothers/sisters caring!


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