Where To Find Happiness

Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk from General Conference April 2012

My favorite parts from this talk:

Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives

Amen! and about where we find genuine happiness:

Being lost can apply to whole societies as well as to individuals. Today we live in a time when much of this world has lost its way, particularly with regard to values and priorities within our homes.

One hundred years ago, President Joseph F. Smith connected happiness directly to the family and admonished us to focus our efforts there. He said: “There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home. … There is no happiness without service, and there is no service greater than that which converts the home into a divine institution, and which promotes and preserves family life. … The home is what needs reforming” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 382, 384).

It is our homes and families that need reforming in this increasingly materialistic and secular world.

We had a great time talking with the kids last night. And I love seeing my kids love and care for baby Sophia. When they squeal and laugh at her cuteness and beauty, I'm always sure to point out to them "What you are feeling is JOY - true joy!" So many things in this world give us a thrill or some form of exciting pleasure, but true joy cannot be imitated, and it is found in a baby's smile, in a child's achievement, in thinking of others before yourself, and in sacrificing what you want for what God wants for you.