Sister Coleen K. Menlove
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Children aren't the only ones intrigued by the phrases "Once upon a time" and "They lived happily ever after."
"We are living in our once upon a time. We are experiencing a mortal probation now during our turn on Earth," Sister Menlove said.
"When we disobey God's laws, we suffer the punishments, but when we obey, we reap the happiness. Part of what creates happiness is the absence of regret, guilt and sin."
Joseph Smith taught that happiness is the object and design of mortal existence. But even within the church there are people who are not happy or those who are usually happy but experience times of stress, worry, challenge and discouragement. "That, too, is part of the great plan. Mortality is a time of testing and trial, which means that there must be times when we feel pain and emotional discomfort. However, by trusting in the eternal plan, we can experience daily happiness and have hope for ever-after happiness."
Each person's search for happiness "is written in such a way that if we continue to trust in God and follow his commandments through the challenging times, even those times will bring us closer to the happiness we are seeking."
"The Savior Jesus Christ showed us the way to happiness and told us everything we need to do to be happy. As we study the teachings of the Savior and thereby understand the purpose of our existence, we feel and express our happiness," she said. "It is knowing and feeling the pure love of Christ that brings exquisite joy into our souls."
