God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home
THANK YOU to all who have fought for freedom and stood for truth. President Matheson’s message this morning…
“Kairos Moment for Saturday: – In The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the Nephites separated themselves from the Lamanites and established a society founded on gospel truths and eternal principles. 2 Nephi 5:27 records, “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.” Centuries later the founding document of another nation in search of freedom included happiness as a vital pillar. (Our friends from every nation can recognize that the United States doesn’t have a corner on the freedom market and that religious liberty is vital to every nation – so that the peace and happiness found in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ can be learned and lived.)
When justifying our own selfish or self-indulgent behavior many Americans readily recite the Declaration of Independence’s most famous passage regarding our right to pursue happiness. Few of us recognize the true meaning or intent of the pursuit of happiness phrase Thomas Jefferson so carefully and purposefully placed into the heart and soul of the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson had learned from great thinkers and leaders like Aristotle, Cicero and John Locke that the pursuit of happiness was not a casual phrase or even a simple right – they all viewed this pursuit as the highest calling men and women could seek. “Happiness is the aim of life,” Jefferson stated, “but virtue is the foundation of happiness.” To Jefferson the meaning of the pursuit of happiness phrase went so much deeper than just fleeting emotional feelings or personal pleasure. Dr. Darrin McMahon, in his book “Happiness: A History,” tied together the way Jefferson and other early Americans approached and pursued happiness. Connecting the dots from these great leaders’ personal beliefs and public statements, he concluded that their vision of the pursuit of happiness could only be achieved through virtue, discipline, and service.
Think about that – Virtue, discipline and service – hardly the words which spring to our minds when we think of pursuing happiness. It is rare for the media, movie producers or popular influencers to show people pursuing happiness by portraying them engaged in virtuous activities, rigorous discipline or unselfish service. Usually, it is just the opposite.
To the founders of this nation, virtue was not just about morality or chastity but also included a deep commitment to living up to the highest standards of integrity, humility and personal excellence. Discipline was simply the price of admission to pursue and achieve success and happiness in a new land filled to overflowing with opportunity and promise.
As it relates to service, Dr. McMahon furthered noted, “Early Americans agreed that by pursuing the happiness of others, they helped to ensure their own.”
King Benjamin said it even better, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
John Stewart Mill observed, “Happiness, is not the same thing as contentment, but involves the pursuit of nobler feelings, higher pleasures, and higher things…” – things like virtue, discipline and service.
Thomas Jefferson knew exactly what he was doing and what he was saying when he set the standard by declaring that everyone had the unalienable right, opportunity, and even the obligation to pursue happiness in this land. It is time for all of us to benefit from, and be committed to, a more focused, elevated and passionate pursuit of happiness.
As disciples of Jesus Christ we should live, “after the manner of happiness” through virtue, discipline and service.”
❣️Skittles❣️Elder Scott and Sister Kristy Davis
LOVE YOU ALL❣️