Nearly 40 years ago, President David O. McKay, in speaking at the opening session of the April 1960 general conference, said, "The duty of the Church is to teach and practice the fundamental principles of the good life." (Church News, April 9, 1960, p. 3.) That duty hasn't changed. It is still so.

The good life. It is a term that we frequently hear, and undoubtedly means different things to different people.Some may think the good life is a life devoid of sickness, misery and pain, where there are no health problems. Surely, we may say, that would be the good life. But, in reality, even though we would like to be free from the "thorns of the flesh" as the Apostle Paul described his affliction (see 2 Cor. 12:7), we need to realize there must be opposition in all things (see 2 Ne. 2:11), that there can be no joy without misery. (see 2 Ne. 2:23.) And certainly it would not be the good life without joy.

Others may think the good life is a life filled with recreational pursuits and frequent travel to various places, where money is no problem. These activities do provide enjoyment and are good to participate in, but, at best, they are fleeting. The good life has to be more than something that provides just temporary enjoyment.

Some may think the good life is being free to do their own thing, not realizing, however, that this would result in utter chaos, creating a condition that would be anything but good.

What then is the good life? Is it not a special feeling that comes from within, knowing that all can be well in spite of living in an imperfect world filled with crime and violence, with ills and sorrows? Is it not a feeling of peace that comes from obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Certainly these feelings are necessary for us to be able to enjoy life.

The good life is all around us.

It is holding your newborn son or daughter or grandchild.

It is watching your beautiful 8-year-old child, dressed in white, enter into the waters of baptism and take upon him or herself the name of Christ.

It is listening to your son or daughter, confidently standing at the pulpit and bearing testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel before leaving on a mission.

It is observing your son or daughter kneel at an altar in the House of God and be sealed to a righteous, choice companion for all time and eternity - or your brother or sister, or even your parents.

It is receiving a hug from your loved ones at a family reunion.

It is enjoying the blessings you receive from regular attendance at the temple.

The good life is when you, as a husband or wife, walk hand-in-hand with your eternal mate through life, overcoming the rocks and thorns strewn along the way.

Family. Mission. Temple. Love. These are lasting and eternal elements of the good life.

It is seeing someone you love find his or her way back into the fold of the gospel, shucking off the ways of the world.

It is feeling the joy that comes when you lift the burdens of others, from simple acts like taking a casserole or a pot of soup to an elderly shut-in.

It is living in such a way that all is right between you and God.

Repentance. Forgiveness. Service. Compassion. Righteousness. All are elements of the good life.

"If there be no righteousness there be no happiness," Lehi taught his son, Jacob. (see 2 Ne. 2:13.) Without happiness, it would not be the good life. And neither would it be without righteousness. It is impossible to have the one without the other. "Wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:10.)

The good life is not found in Shangri-La, where everything is supposed to be perfect; or in Utopia, where all conditions supposedly are ideal; or in Camelot, where everything appears to be idyllic. If we seek the good life in these fantasies, we will be disappointed. Shangri-La is an imaginary land, Utopia doesn't exist. Camelot is unreachable.

No, the good life is found in righteous living.

The Church teaches that if we follow the fundamental principles of the gospel we can enjoy the good things of life - enjoy the good life - no matter what our physical or financial conditions may be.

The good life is knowing that we are at peace with our Heavenly Father, knowing all will be made right some day even if it isn't so now.

The good life eventually will be eternal life.