Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Secret to Happiness

Last Thursday I went with my mom, ChanNa, and Kayla to enrichment. We worked on a few service projects, but before we got started a sister shared part of this message from President David O. McKay. I really like it and want to share:

"Happiness is the end, really, of our existence. That happiness comes most effectively through service to our fellow men.

All mankind desire happiness. Many also strive sincerely to make the most and best of themselves. Surprisingly few, however, realize that a sure guide to such achievement may be found in the following declaration by Jesus of Nazareth: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” [Matthew 16:25.] This significant passage contains a secret more worthy of possession than fame or dominion, something more valuable than all the wealth of the world.

It is a principle the application of which promises to supplant discouragement and gloom with hope and gladness; to fill life with contentment and peace everlasting. This being true its acceptance would indeed be a boon today to this distracted, depression-ridden world. Why, then, do men and nations ignore a thing so precious?

Is the truth in the paradoxical statement, losing one’s life to find it, so elusive that mankind cannot grasp it? Or is it so in conflict with the struggle for existence that men consider it impractical?

Even so, the fact remains that He who is “The Way, the Truth and the Life” [see John 14:6] has herein set forth an immutable law. …

Specifically stated, this law is, “We live our lives most completely when we strive to make the world better and happier.” The law of pure nature, survival of the fittest, is self-preservation at the sacrifice of all else; but in contrast to this the law of true spiritual life is, deny self for the good of others. … "
- President David O. McKay

Happy Sunday.

5 comments:

CassParelli said...

Happy Sunday to you too Lea Lea! Thanks for sharing. That is really a great quote and message. We also loved the nostalgic pictures of the Morris family. Soooo hilarious and darling! Thanks for sharing those and where did you get them? I want copies!

Nick's Kat said...

oh if you want you can write a joint blog about me and nadia and how you love us so much.. ok love ya

Nadia Woodhouse said...

hahahhahaha i like that idea. also i miss you leah

monica said...

if only we all followed that principle, to lose ourselves being to think of others before ourselves. we would have such a better world. unfortunately, the world defines happiness different.

Quinn the Eskimo said...

Pure religion right there, loved it.