Area Leadership Message
We Lived after the Manner of Happiness
We all generally commemorate two birthdays, our own and that of the new year as it begins. As the years go by, sometimes we start to downplay the importance of our birthday; however, we never stop celebrating the commemoration of the beginning of a new year.
As a child in my hometown, I heard bells saying goodbye to the old year.
At that time, for me, the passage of time was not very important, but as the years went by, it was inevitable that my mind would travel through the 12 months that had passed and everything that had been done or not done, what has been suffered and what has been enjoyed.
Today, I am more aware of time, that we are its stewards, thus. the beginning of a new year and its commemoration acquires greater relevance for me.
The prophet Jacob, son of Lehi, expressed: “The time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream” (Jacob 7:26).
Maybe we should look back just for a moment and ask ourselves, “What did I do last year?”
“What were my most significant achievements, especially in developing my character by incorporating the attributes of Christ?”
After this reflection, focus on the present and visualize the future with hope and enthusiasm.
As we start a new year, we are filled with hope for a new beginning. By leaving behind a year loaded with different emotions, the beginning of a new one renews the confidence that now is the time, or this year is the year.
It is good to think in that way and fill our hearts with confidence that will drive and put us on the path to achieving our goals. One of the components to establish those goals is related to the gospel principles.
It is not difficult to understand the gospel principles and see their value and the benefits of those principles when we apply them to our lives.
The doctrine of Christ summarizes some necessary steps to cover ourselves with a mantle of protection and hope. The doctrine of Christ defines the final purpose of the gospel:
“Unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved” (2 Nephi 31:16).
Later, Nephi the prophet put this invitation or task to endure to the end positively: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).
In this verse, Nephi added words of encouragement like hope, love, and feasting—as well as the invitation to put Christ in the center and, with this, to fulfill the two first commandments, to love God and to love and serve our neighbors (See Matthew 22:36–40). The fruit of all this persistent effort will be eternal life.
Enduring to the end means relying on the merits of the Savior, living with hope and joy every day, and seeing others as our Father sees every one of His sons and daughters, without racial or socioeconomic differences.
Because the gospel is true, I know our Heavenly Father loves us without distinction.
Each of us can do the same, and in this way, with that love, achieve the eternal goal prepared for the one who endures to the end: to live together and forever with our families.
Elder David A. Bednar has taught: “The basic purpose of all we teach and all we do in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to make available the priesthood authority and gospel ordinances and covenants that enable a man and a woman and their children to be sealed together and happy at home.”1
President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) taught: “Our ultimate purpose of all we teach is to unite parents and children in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, linked to their generations, and assured of exaltation in the presence of our Heavenly Father.”2
Remember that daily gospel living, weekly church attendance, and temple service will give us the power to change our environment and to move forward.
President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Now, to each member of the Church, I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere.
“As a new presidency, we want to begin with the end in mind. … The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary. Your worship in the temple and service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path”3.
Dear brothers and sisters, to look to Him and to progress, I invite you to take the resolution today to apply the simple principles of the gospel and manifest it to the Lord, saying:
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Today, I will read and use the scriptures regularly for my benefit and instruction. (See 1 Nephi 19:23.)
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Today, I will pray individually and as a family. I will use the counsel of the Lord: “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good” (Alma 37:37).
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Today, I will decide to partake of the sacrament weekly. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:75.)
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Today, I will serve and help someone by ministering to assigned families or doing good for others. (See Doctrine and Covenants 81:5; 84:106.)
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Today, I will believe in the promises and blessings of being a full tithe payer, and I will obey that law. (See Malachi 3:8–11.)
· Today, I will decide to obtain my temple recommend and become a regular participant bearing the names of my ancestors to become a Savior on Mount Zion. (See Obadiah 1:21; Doctrine and Covenants 137:7–9.)
In short, today, I will be a better disciple of the Savior. I will believe in Christ and in the simplicity and truthfulness of His gospel. (See Moroni 10:33–34.)
The power to be a better disciple begins with desire, resolution, and continuous effort to achieve established goals. From there, throughout our lives, and not just at the end, we will be able to enjoy the peace that comes through obedience to the principles of the gospel.
Dear brothers and sisters, remember the invitation and promise that the prophet Alma gave to his son, Helaman:
“For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss” (Alma 37:44).
Dear brothers and sisters, young men, women, and children, today is the time to center your lives, our lives, on the Savior, and to live every day so that you can be confident that our Heavenly Father will approve of your doings.
Then we can say, as Nephi, during this year of our earthly journey, and not only at the end of it: “And … we lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27).
I testify that our Heavenly Father loves us, knows us by our name, and cares for us.