Turn eyes, hearts from

deceptive messages- Exercise faith"Joy is more than happiness. Joy is the ultimate sensation of well being. It comes from being complete and in harmony with the Creator and His eternal laws."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve made this declaration in his Sunday afternoon address, based on the contrasting emotions of joy and misery. The latter emotion, he said, is more than uhappiness, sorrow or suffering; it is the ultimate state of disharmony with God and His laws.

Some "mortal simulations" of joy and misery are called happiness or pleasure, or unhappiness or pain. In the midst of these emotions is suffering, some caused from one's own sins or those of others. Much suffering, however, is simply an inevitable part of mortality, such as an accidental injury.

Elder Oaks referred to the lost sheep that was found (Luke 15:6), and the prodigal son who returned home. (Luke 15:32.) He said, "These experiences are symbolic of our eternal journey. The fall [of Adam and EveT has separated us from our heavenly home. We must choose which way we will go. Satan, who was separated from God and permanently lost, would like to see our separation become permanent also. Father Lehi taught that Satan's purpose is to make men miserable. (2 Ne. 2:18, 27.) Those who yield to his enticings are on the way to the same miserable destiny as he."

Saying a prophet called the gospel plan "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8), Elder Oaks noted that those who seek happiness or joy should keep God's commandments.

Elder Oaks said despite all people can do, they cannot have a fullness of joy through their own efforts. Only in Christ can one's joy be full.

"Persons who pursue Satan's way are certain to have Satan's misery," Elder Oaks said.

He noted that not all unhappiness and pain is traceable to sin; some results from lust for power and wealth, with consequences that cause pain and unhappiness in succeeding generations.

He encouraged the congregation "to remember that wickedness never was happiness and that sin leads to misery. . . . Do not seek happiness in the glittering but shallow things of the world. We cannot achieve lasting happiness by pursuing the wrong things. . . .

"Young and old," Elder Oaks counseled, "turn your eyes and your hearts away from the deceptive messages of the media. There is no happiness in alcohol or drugs, only enslavement. There is no happiness in violence, only pain and sorrow. There is no happiness in sexual relations and physical familiarities outside the bonds of marriage, only degradation and increased momentum along the way to spiritual death."

Elder Oaks added, "I testify to you of the lasting happiness and ultimate joy of those who exercise faith in God and keep His commandments. I urge each of us to seek the joy that comes from keeping the commandments of God and exerting a righteous influence for the benefit of those we love."