A Reason to Smile

Life Challenges
From time to time the news produces a lot of scary headlines. We’ve seen it all, from large scale to small scale financial crises, the possibility of a deadly world-wide flu pandemic, from international terrorism to the painful personal disasters of the breakdown of marriages and individual families.

If we’re not careful, anxiety, fear, discouragement and depression could get way out of control. We read in the scripture: “And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them…,” (D & C 45:26).  The wicked, the righteous and even those of our own faith are not spared.  Not one of us is immune from the challenges.

How do we cope with all of this?

To Be Happy and Successful
Over the years, as a result of various assignments around the world, my wife and I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with literally tens of thousands of men and women—young and old.  We have never known one who does not want to be happy and successful.

The Prophet Joseph Smith has said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God,” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Co., pages 255–56). In fact, the scripture says that is why we exist—remember, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy,” (2 Ne. 2:25).

A Commandment to be of Good Cheer
Joy is at the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our Heavenly Father wants each of us to be happy and successful.  How many times in the scriptures does the Lord command us to “be of good cheer” or “lift up your heart and rejoice” and be exceedingly glad?  We should remember that to be of good cheer is a commandment and not merely a suggestion, (D&C 78:17–19; D&C 31:3).

Gratitude
Unfortunately, there are some who are not happy.  Things are not going well, whether socially, physically, financially, academically, or spiritually. What do you have to do to be happy and successful?  What do you have to do to turn things around?

One element that leads to success and happiness is to discover in life that those things of most value are those things that you cannot buy with money.  They are priceless.

If right now, or at any time in your life, you are feeling down, discouraged, depressed, for whatever reasons, here is a very practical suggestion.  Take a sheet of blank paper and write on it at random those things for which you are most grateful.  Write whatever your most important blessings are in whatever order they come to your mind.  Then after writing the list, take another sheet of paper, put those blessings in order or priority.  What is your most important blessing?  The second most and so on.

For me, the results were like a personal revelation and I’ll tell you why.  On my list, I found that I had to go down a long way before I came to any blessing that could be bought for money.  Our most important blessings are literally priceless. Blessings such as faith, family, and freedom were the kind of blessings that if we were threatened to lose them, we would pray for the courage to literally lose our lives to defend them.

So, on those occasions when things are not going well for you, when you are down, discouraged, or depressed, take out your list of blessings, read them and you will find it easier to smile and follow the Lord’s commandment to be of good cheer.

Well, there you are with one simple suggestion.

Gospel Principle: Gratitude is an essential part of finding happiness.

Best wishes for every success and happiness and, keep smiling!

Elder Joe J. Christensen

Additional Information:

Joe J. Christensen, “A Reason to Smile,” New Era, Nov 1996.

Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” Ensign, May 1992.

Teaching Gratitude.  Greatest Good Science Center.

Elder Joe J. Christensen
Elder Christensen is a graduate of Brigham Young University and received a PhD from Washington State University.  He has spent more than 30 years in the Church Educational System, first as a Director of several Institutes of Religion and then as Associate Church Commissioner of Education overseeing the worldwide program of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. His Church service includes the General Boards of the Young Men and Melchizadek Priesthood MIA.  He has been a Regional Representative and has served as President of the Mexico City Mission and as President of the Missionary Training Center in Provo.  At the time of his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy Joe was President of Ricks College (BYU Idaho).  As a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, he was assigned as President of the Brazil Area and then the North America Northwest Area of the Church. He was then called to the Presidency of the Seventy where he served until his release to Emeritus General Authority status in 1999.  Following that release he and his wife Barbara Kohler served as President and Matron of the San Diego Temple.