Finding Joy
Happiness will come through repentance and forgiveness
Within the marriage and family unit, I believe that pride is an obstacle that must be overcome time and time again. It is often difficult to forgive and very difficult to forsake. It is each person’s agency to give up the natural man, which is so hard because our emotions often break through our rational actions. Repentance and forgiveness is needed throughout the course of our lives especially within these sacred relationships where Satan tries so hard to break apart.
We are not perfect but we can continue to work to become like our Savior by showing gratitude for His Atoning sacrifice. We can exercise that agency we have to partake of the Atonement’s healing power through repentance. We are not only required to confess and forsake, we are also required to forgive not only those we have hurt or affected but also ourselves, which can often be the most difficult. What is important to remember is that, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” We are not the ones who will judge others based on their actions. Christ has raised the bar and requires us to forgive everyone. We need to see all people through the eyes of Christ. He sees everyone with love and compassion and continues to do so even though He has suffered greatly for every single one of our sins. He knows our wrongdoings yet He loves us unconditionally. |
If we can learn to love others and forgive them like Christ has done, we can create loving and successful relationships especially with those who we love and are so close to us. We cannot make it back to our Heavenly Father without repentance. We all make mistakes and must become perfected through the Atonement.
It takes a lot of faith, prayer, humility and willingness to change to be able to forgive no matter what the circumstances. We can rely on our Heavenly Father for comfort and support to help us become loving and forgiving people. I know I can come to Him in prayer and ask for forgiveness, help to forgive others and help to change my ways and attitude. When we can overcome these trials, we can find happiness in our families and continue our eternal progression. |
Articles & Videos
A talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency on how we can create a happy family.
A touching video of a man who lost so much yet was able to forgive and receive the healing power of the Atonement.
A powerful talk by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency who talks about the healing and peace we can feel when we forgive.
A Mormon Message video that shares a wonderful message of loving one another and showing kindness.
A Mormon Message video by "Elder Scott [who] explains that as you continue to center your mind and heart in the Lord, He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens in the world around you."
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Happy families are established on collective work and enjoyment in family recreation
In years past before technology was widespread and was so relied upon like it is today, families relied on physical work to provide for their needs. That physical work such as tending the farm and the animals involved the whole family. Each member had a responsibility and that physical work was their way of life. We learn that through the advancement of time, families have deviated and distanced themselves from the physical work to more mental work. People now believe that the less work you have to do, the more enjoyable it is and the more power and status you have.
Technology has also invaded our homes in the past couple of years where we can become so much more connected to the world yet so disconnected to the people right there in the same room. Technology and its advancements are truly a wonderful thing however we must manage our time and use of those blessings. Sure, technology might make work easier for us but what are we losing and how can we make up for that quality time we could have spent with our families? When we seek for the easier way of life and do all we can to avoid having to put more effort than is needed, we are deviating from the Lord’s ways. He has prepared us from the time of Adam and Eve to participate and engage in everyday work. When we work together, we build lasting bonds and relationships that cannot be built anywhere else. We learn to work together and get to know each other more personally. |
Adam and Eve, when cast out of the Garden of Eden, were faced with difficulties and had to tend the earth because life was now susceptible to death. It was up to them to work to continue the work of the Lord and to cultivate and nourish life. They did not face these trials and challenges in the Garden of Eden. The earth was perfect and all was taken care of. We have to endure like Adam and Eve did to be able to go through those challenges to even know what joy is.
Certainly in today’s time, family life has changed. Many people are not involved in farming or other physical labor like before. Our everyday tasks have changed with society and technological advances. We can however, still incorporate and cultivate those wonderful experiences families once had as they worked together. Small, menial chores are often the best ways to have great conversations with other family members because it requires very little thought. I remember some wonderful memories as I grew up at home spending time with my mother folding laundry, baking or cooking. I look back at those memories fondly and really appreciated the lessons I learned from my mom, hearing stories from when she was a child and learning how to take care of the home. Now as I prepare to move and have my own home with my husband, I feel prepared to take up those same responsibilities using the wisdom my mother taught me. |
In this article below, Kathleen Bahr discusses work within families and the affect it has on creating happy families.
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