Even if you don't believe in Sodom & Gomorrah understand this: There will be many emotional and spiritual hurricanes that will wreck havoc on our lives, but, more often than not, the difference between earthquakes and hurricanes is that earthquakes usually come without warnings, hurricanes do not. Lot listened to the warnings, his wife did not.
Happiness is not a mood, it is a state of being. God isn't just happy with us, God is Happiness.
Wickedness never was happiness because it is contrary to the nature of happiness and contrary to the nature of God. (Alma 41:10-11).
The question isn’t whether or not you have a past, but whether or not you have changed. We are haunted by our past only when the unrepented sins of the present ruin our future.
The purpose of the atonement is to help us get over the hurdles of our past that we could never get over by ourselves. Because of the Saviors Atonement we need not be haunted by the sins of our past, but with faith in Christ and true repentance, we can change the past and remember it no more.
We have all watched drugs change sweet innocent teenagers into sick and pathetic adults. We tend to forget that money can have the same affect on people. Dickens described Scrooge in such eloquent detail. The very countenance of a person can reflect a corrupted character. The scriptures warn of such a metamorphosis. "For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men. . . And others he will pacify and lull them away. . ." (2 Nephi 28:20-21)
The great and spacious building can come in many shapes and sizes. For some it might be a luxury hotel and casino, for others it might be a multi level marketing mansion. For some it might be a restaurant lodge or a lavish cabin. But the iron rod of these three, repentance, obedience and endurance, leads to only one building: the temple of our God.
Surround yourself with those who instill in you the daily desire to be a better person. And don't be afraid of compliments. Both giving and receiving compliments are like little expressions of gratitude. They are not flattery when they are sincere and from the heart.
How beautiful is a heart that chooses to forgive.
When we mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort we are in reality furthering the process of yielding our hearts unto God. The opposite of yielding is resisting. Resisting is usually negative and polarizing. It is often combative and antagonizing. It is the opposite of peace. But when we yield our hearts to God we experience peace, we become more like peacemakers. We then can quietly be instruments that bring peace to a troubled world. In order to be a peacemaker we need to have the heart of a peacemaker. Peace is a cornerstone of true happiness.
Are we renting a relationship or are we purchasing? Are we investing in the eternities or are we just throwing money away. The complete opposite of an eternal relationship is a one night stand. Think about it. We can have one night stands with more than just people, but with things or places or vices. The opposite of eternal is instant gratification. Where our heart is there will our treasure be also.
Think of all the connections that don’t last. Each is like a skipping stone. Some skip along for one or two skips and then they end. Others skip for longer, depending on compatibility. Maybe it wasn’t that we didn’t want it to end, but so many connections we start when we are dating are short lived. I believe however the intent of the heart is important because our intentions often determine who we date and why we date. If we are not committed to being committed, for example, and we just want to fool around and be a player, then our intentions are often reflected in the outcome of the connection. If we don't want permanent in the beginning, chances are it won't end up permanent in the end. We use the word "serious" in this type of discussion. Are we looking for a casual or serious relationship? Although people may fall in love in the beginning they choose the course that love will take. Are they casual or are they committed? In the end commitment is still a choice.
Stop for a moment and thank God for that someone in your life. Then, when you get a chance . . . thank them
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