"You [Americans] expect nothing bad ever to happen, when the rest of the world expects only bad to happen. And they're not disappointed... You have everything and still you complain...You've got too much time to think about yourself." -Svetlana Kirilenko
The reason for the title of this post is that I have a few people to whom I would like to say some things, and I want to say them with the best intentions, but I'm also the first one to tell you that unsolicited advice is always the worst given (and that's usually because of the aforementioned scripture). It's nothing all that big or personal anyway, just asuggestion sermon or two.
We are supposed to be happy. It is meant to be. Now, with that, there is a reason that the plan of salvation is called the plan of happiness: Happiness comes from doing what is right all the time. That works on both levels, "happiness always comes from doing what's right" and "always doing what's right will always make you happy". THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH. You know it and I know it. I also know that I forget it a lot, which is the beam part of the equation here. That doesn't change the fact that the statement above is the absolute truth though.
Okay, here's my actual suggestion for those of you who are seeking more happiness, but "living" the gospel doesn't seem to be doing it for ya. You ain't doin it right. Don't worry, none of us truly are. What has really helped me find direction lately is my favorite book I've told you about before: Mere Christianity by Clive Staples Lewis. That's right, C.S. Lewis, a clergyman in the Church of England, who undoubtedly had the spirit of prophecy and revelation (and wrote a couple other books about a place called Narnia too). Please read this book. I'm not gonna lie, it's long and hard to get through, and it's taken me quite a while to get through the whole thing, so don't get discourage by the size and language used. But if you're like me in that you don't want to hear it from your primary teachers anymore ("Read the BoM and pray!!!!"), give this book a try.
The reason for the title of this post is that I have a few people to whom I would like to say some things, and I want to say them with the best intentions, but I'm also the first one to tell you that unsolicited advice is always the worst given (and that's usually because of the aforementioned scripture). It's nothing all that big or personal anyway, just a
We are supposed to be happy. It is meant to be. Now, with that, there is a reason that the plan of salvation is called the plan of happiness: Happiness comes from doing what is right all the time. That works on both levels, "happiness always comes from doing what's right" and "always doing what's right will always make you happy". THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH. You know it and I know it. I also know that I forget it a lot, which is the beam part of the equation here. That doesn't change the fact that the statement above is the absolute truth though.
Okay, here's my actual suggestion for those of you who are seeking more happiness, but "living" the gospel doesn't seem to be doing it for ya. You ain't doin it right. Don't worry, none of us truly are. What has really helped me find direction lately is my favorite book I've told you about before: Mere Christianity by Clive Staples Lewis. That's right, C.S. Lewis, a clergyman in the Church of England, who undoubtedly had the spirit of prophecy and revelation (and wrote a couple other books about a place called Narnia too). Please read this book. I'm not gonna lie, it's long and hard to get through, and it's taken me quite a while to get through the whole thing, so don't get discourage by the size and language used. But if you're like me in that you don't want to hear it from your primary teachers anymore ("Read the BoM and pray!!!!"), give this book a try.
3 comments:
Hey Jim - I just wanted to say that I love your blog and loved your advice. I don't think you could have said it any better :) Its been a long time, hope you and Teresa are doing well! - Amy
And now I read YOUR blog! MWA HA HA yourself!
*starts reading scriptures immediately*
No, actually, I think you're right. Incorporating the commandments and modern revelation into out daily lives is the only way to find happiness through the gospel, not just applying it once a week. That doesn't work.
Jim
Well said Jim. Clive is one of my favorite authors. You should read 'The Problem of Pain'. So good.
Anyway, I think you should have included verses 47-48.
Hope you're well.
I just posted on Maurice for the fist time in months. Check it out will ya?
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