President Eyring began by talking about a guaranteed offer of lasting happiness. This offer is called the plan of happiness and it is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
‘Only by faith in Jesus Christ, continuing repentance, and keeping covenants are we able to claim the lasting happiness we all yearn to experience and retain. ‘
Why do we need this counsel today?
‘My prayer for today is that I may help you understand that greater happiness comes from greater personal holiness so that you will act upon that belief. I will then share what I know for myself about what we can do to qualify for that gift of becoming ever more holy. ‘
What is the link between holiness and happiness?
“The way of the Lord is the way of happiness. Wickedness never was happiness. Transgression never was happiness. Sin never was happiness. Disobedience never was happiness. The way of happiness is following the way of the Lord. I believe this with all my heart. If there is any message that runs through all of the Book of Mormon, it is this great transcendent message, that when the people lived in righteousness they were happy and they were prospered. And when they fell into wickedness they were miserable, they were at war, they were in poverty, they were in trouble. That theme goes all the way through the Book of Mormon. As it was true then, so it is true now. The way of happiness for the people of this Church lies in following the ways of the Lord.” (Gordon B Hinckley, Church News, 06/01/96)
‘Some listening today may be wondering: “Why do I not feel the peace and happiness promised to those who have been faithful? I have been faithful through terrible adversity, but I don’t feel happiness.” ‘
How would you answer this question?
What can we learn from the examples President Eyring gives of Joseph Smith and Job?
‘My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life.
It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him.
In this education we experience misery and happiness, sickness and health, the sadness from sin and the joy of forgiveness. That forgiveness can come only through the infinite Atonement of the Savior, which He worked out through pain we could not bear and which we can only faintly comprehend.’ (Henry B Eyring, General Conference, April 2009)
See also: https://latterdaybloke.home.blog/2018/01/28/dealing-with-adversity/
‘The scriptures teach us that among other things, we can be sanctified or become more holy when we exercise faith in Christ, demonstrate our obedience, repent, sacrifice for Him, receive sacred ordinances, and keep our covenants with Him. Qualifying for the gift of holiness requires humility, meekness, and patience. ‘
You may want to read the scriptures referenced by President Eyring:
- Acts 26:18
- Ether 4:7
- D&C 88:34
- 3 Nephi 27:19-20
- D&C 132:50
- D&C 97:8
- Helaman 3:35
- D&C 101:1-5
- 1 John 3:2-3
- D&C 112:13
Have you ever had an experience like the one President Eyring describes having in the Salt Lake Temple?
‘Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us. ‘
‘Change’ is another word for ‘repentance’ – if we want to become more holy we need to repent. President Eyring quoted President Nelson:
“When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ!”
As we repent and change we choose to become holier.
‘Whatever our personal circumstance, wherever we may be on the covenant path home, may our prayers for greater holiness be answered. I know that as our petition is granted, our happiness will increase. It may come slowly, but it will come. I have that assurance from a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. ‘
What specific encouragement or counsel have you taken from President Eyring’s teachings in this talk?
(Note: passages in italics are excerpts from President Eyring’s address.)
Latter-day Bloke 