The key to happiness does not lie alone in gender, marital status, parenthood or being free of physical challenges, President James E. Faust told single-adult members of the Church Nov. 12.

"Happiness comes from living the teachings of the Savior," explained President Faust, "and having the vision to see what He would have us become. Remember He said, `He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.' (Matt. 10:39.) Because we have been given the challenges of mortality, this life is a proving ground for the eternities."President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, presided at and spoke during the satellite fireside for single adults, telecast from Salt Lake City. On this warm autumn evening, single adults from throughout the Salt Lake area packed the Tabernacle on Temple Square. In addition, others watched the proceedings via Church satellite at meetinghouses throughout North America and the Caribbean. Other speakers included Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve, who conducted the meeting; Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society general president; and two single Relief Society sisters. (Please see article on this page for remarks of the other speakers.)

Also attending the fireside was Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy. Elder Howard is assistant executive director of the Priesthood Department, and, as such, oversees the single adult program.

During his address, President Faust made several humorous remarks that brought laughter from the congregation and resulted in a warm, friendly atmosphere. "Humor may relieve our anxieties temporarily," he said. "But what is in our hearts, to a large extent, determines our attitudes and actions."

President Faust counseled that "having the vision of our worth and capability is an essential prerequisite to finding fulfillment. We also need to glimpse what God intends us to be now and in the eternities.

"So often that which is visible to the eye escapes us too, and we deprive ourselves of the joy that surrounds us if only we would allow ourselves to see it," he continued. "Mortality is a precious drop in the bucket of eternity. Why not make each minute pleasant and fulfilling? We must make our own happiness."

President Faust spoke warmly of the example of President Howard W. Hunter. "For more than a decade, he lovingly cared for his invalid wife, Claire. For many years thereafter, President Hunter was single. However, he was always pleasant, cheerful and engaging, dwelling upon his blessings and the good things he had, even while enduring great physical suffering. As a leader of the Church he exemplified focusing on what we have rather than on what we do not have."

In speaking of divorce, President Faust explained: "To those in this circumstance, we express concern and love. During more than two decades as I practiced law, I observed at close range that divorce is a personal tragedy for all concerned.

"I would hope that we are sufficiently Christian to separate the people in the wreck from the wreck itself, particularly the children who are the innocent victims. We all need home teachers and visiting teachers who can see problems and offer help. We need concerned Relief Society presidents. We need bishops who are interested in all of the members of their flocks, especially those with concerns."

Regarding service, President Faust counseled single adults to attend the temple, become interested in family history, go on missions and offer humanitarian and compassionate service.

"The answer lies in finding out what God expects of each of us in our circumstances - single, widowed, divorced, husband, wife, father or mother. Let us not grope blindly for fulfillment without the vision of who we are and what we can become.

"Thank you for the goodness of your lives. I appreciate your devotion in keeping the commandments of God. Your souls are precious in the sight of our Heavenly Father. I pray that you may be sustained in your heartaches and suffering, in your challenges and disappointments.

"I bless you that you may have an awareness of the divinity within you as a child of God. I bless you that you may have the vision to enhance your joy and fulfillment in the opportunities, great or small, that await you. I promise you that if you are faithful and true, you will receive the great promise of the Savior - peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come."

Music for the meeting was offered by the Mormon Youth Chorus, with Robert C. Bowden directing and Linda Margetts accompanying. Offering the invocation and benediction, respectively, were LeRoy Crawford of the Hunter 4th Ward, Salt Lake Hunter West Stake; and Kathleen Hinckley of the Timpview 8th Ward, Orem Utah Timpview Stake.