I read an article by President James E. Faust from the Oct. 2000 Ensign and loved his statement that,
The problem is that too many of us try to consume happiness rather than generate it.
Wow! I think he hits the nail on the head with that one. Think about it and what those words really mean. The definition of the word consume is:
To use up; to devour; to spend wastefully; to destroy as by decomposition or burning; to waste away.
I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound very positive to me. In contrast, the word generate is defined as:
To bring into existence; to produce; to create by a vital and natural process; to create and distribute vitally and profusely
I think there is a profound contrast between these two words and the approaches they reflect about how we can experience true and lasting happiness....
... Elder Jack Gossalind related the story of one pioneer family:
Over one hundred years ago a Swedish family who had joined the Church faced a long ocean voyage to America, a train trip from New York to Omaha, and then a trek by wagon train to Salt Lake City. During their train trip they rode in stock cars used to haul hogs. The cars were filthy and filled with hog lice. On their wagon trip across the plains, a healthy baby was born, but their three-year-old contracted cholera. During the night, the father went to a neighboring wagon to borrow a candle, but was told they couldn’t spare one. This angered him, and he fumed as he sat in the dark with his son’s limp, feverish body in his arms. The boy died that night.
The next morning the wagon master said they would hold a short funeral and bury the boy in a shallow grave. They were in Indian country and didn’t have time to do more. The father insisted on staying behind and digging a grave deep enough so the animals would not disturb the body. They experienced other hardships before they reached Salt Lake City.
Now, both the mother and the father experienced the same trials, but the father became withdrawn, cantankerous, and bitter. He stopped going to church, found fault with Church leaders. He became caught up in his own miseries, and the light of Christ grew dimmer and dimmer in his life.
On the other hand, the mother’s faith increased. Each new problem seemed to make her stronger. She became an angel of mercy—filled with empathy, compassion, and charity. She was a light to those around her. Her family gravitated toward her and looked to her as their leader. She was happy; he was miserable. (See Ensign, Feb. 1981, pp. 54–55.) ....
... Even though we were only in Utah for two short days for the wedding of Jon’s brother, we were grateful that our visit fell during the time of the open house currently being held for the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I was 11 years old when the Boise Idaho Temple was finished and remember what a special experience it was for me to attend that open house with my family. I was anxious for my children to have the opportunity to see a new temple so that they could really capture the vision of why a temple is such a sacred place and can look forward to preparing themselves for temple attendance when they are older.
When we were in the waiting area where they show an introductory film before the tour begins, Matthew started behaving in his very typical two-year old fashion: wiggly, noisy, and cranky. We began to wonder if maybe we should have left him with a babysitter, because it looked like having him with us just might be so frustrating that it would ruin the experience for all of the rest of us. I even considered waiting outside with Matthew while Jon took the other children through, however I desperately wanted to share that experience as a whole family unit. I kept a prayer in my heart with a plea that we would have a positive experience as a family and that all of the children, even Matthew would be able to feel the special spirit of the temple, even if he didn’t understand what was going on. We were so grateful that once we entered the temple he really did calm down and even used a whispering voice most of time.
We were all impressed by the beauty of the temple and it was wonderful to be able to show the children the different areas of the temple and share with them the purposes for the different rooms and discuss the symbolism of the some of the features of the temple. Of course we were amazed by the beautiful materials and fine craftsmanship throughout the building. The children had lots of questions and seemed to appreciate the sacredness of the temple. I don’t think I can ever forget how wonderful it felt to be in the celestial room with my family or how much I loved standing together and looking into one of the beautiful mirrors in the sealing room at the image of our family being reflected as far as we could see. That day, for me, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple was the happiest place on earth.
Later that night, when we were struggling to get Matthew to stay in bed and go to sleep, I offered to sing him a song, hoping it would settle him down. Usually he requests the Wheels on the Bus or Five Little Monkeys jumping on the bed, but that night he said, “Temple”. So I lay there in the dark with him and sang the primary favorite, “I love to see the temple”. When I finished, it was quiet for a second and I thought he had perhaps drifted off to sleep, but then I heard his little voice, “Again, Mommy.” So I sang it again. And after I was finished, Matthew’s little voice, “Again”. Over and over I sang the beautiful words:
I love to see the temple, I’m going there someday
To feel the holy spirit, To listen and to pray
For the temple is the house of God, A place of love and beauty
I’ll prepare myself while I am young, this is my Sacred duty
I love to see the temple, I’ll go inside someday
I’ll covenant with my Father, I’ll promise to obey
For the temple is a Holy Place where we are sealed together
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth: A family is forever!
I am so grateful that our family had that experience and that all of my children, even little Matthew, were able to feel the special, sacred spirit of the temple. I am so looking forward to the times in the future when our family will be together in the temple again, not just on a tour, but as participants in the sacred ordinances that are performed there. And whether it is in our beautiful Winter Quarters Temple, or in the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, or the Boise Idaho Temple or any other of the sacred temples that have been dedicated to the work of the Lord, if my family is there, it will be the happiest place on earth.
Movers and Scrapers
Yesterday was a busy day for the ward as two families needed moving and a home needed painting. Jon, Christopher and Jared left for the day at 0900 hrs to the first project, painting. The home had been 75% scraped of old paint the day before and we finished the last side of scraping under overcast skies. We looked nervously upward hoping that we would see the clouds blow over without any rain, but as soon as we opened the paint barrel and filled two small buckets for the first paint crews, the rain began and work ended at Project #1.
So, we left earlier than anticipated and helped a family move their stuff from a storage unit into a rental home in town. Another move had already occurred at the same time as our scraping/painting project. By 1100 hrs, we were all gathered at the storage unit and loading a U-haul. We emptied the storage unit by noon, drove to the home, had a quick lunch and unloaded the truck. After installing appliances, switching a fridge door from one side to the other to match how the new kitchen layout demanded, we left.
That inspired our 2nd Counselor of the Bishopric, in reporting the work at Sacrament Meeting today, as the "Movers and Scrapers."
When the boys returned home, we found that the ladies had been very busy themselves. Meile had mowed the lawn and the house was in fine order. We were also greeted to signs on the garage door that read, "Welcome home workers," and "We love you guys."
To be honest, I was not really looking forward to going to three projects, but driving home I was reminded that great feelings of accomplishment that come from a hard days work, particularly a hard day at the Lord's work.
Picture Day for the Boys
Becky and I have the latest individual portraits displayed in our home, and unfortunately, we are late on a number of them. Most egregious of all is our picture of Jared, where is is little more than three years old. So, we recently went to our backyard and took some pictures of the boys to display at home.
Here is a more "impromptu" photo of Matthew. Not planning to frame this one, but it is funny. We'll take his picture as soon as he stops running into things and putting marks on his head. Latest one: today after church, corner of the door in the bathroom. The boy just needs to slow down.
We couldn't feature pics of the boys and leave these two beauties out as well.
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