The world spends a lot of energy trying to achieve happiness. The United States' Declaration of Independence defines the "pursuit of happiness" as an inalienable right, endowed by the Creator.

Unfortunately, for many, the pursuit of happiness has focused on the pursuit of self-gratification. Many believe they find "happiness" in objects or in worldly pleasures. They are deluded into thinking that something or even someone will make them happy. But true happiness is not found in an object or in temporal pursuits. And it is not found along the paths of sin. As the prophet Alma succinctly reminded his wayward son, Corianton, "Wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:10.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and the path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. . . . If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 255-256.)

Some may argue that it's easy to be happy if you have your health, or a lot of money or a job you love or people around you to buoy you up when troubles arise. However, these are but worthwhile means toward happiness, but they do not constitute true happiness.

Even while incarcerated in Liberty Jail under the most awful of circumstances, the Prophet Joseph Smith managed to maintain a positive outlook and encourage others to focus on eternal matters not on the despair at hand: "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and his arm to be revealed." (Doctrine and Covenants 123:17.)

Other Church leaders also have pointed to specific actions to achieve happiness:

"The true key to happiness in life is to labor for the happiness of others," President Heber J. Grant told students at the University of Utah in 1901, when he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.

"The finest recipe that I could give to obtain happiness would be: Keep the commandments of the Lord," President George Albert Smith said in the October conference of 1943.

"Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others," President David O. McKay said in the October conference in 1963.

Their messages, though timely and profound, were not new. In his great sermon to his Nephite subjects in the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin encouraged his listeners:

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41.)

The result of such gospel living led the followers of the Savior on the American continent to 200 years of peace after His Ascension into heaven. The prophet Mormon described those times this way:

"And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." (4 Nephi 1:16.)

Even today, President Gordon B. Hinckley reminds Latter-day Saints: "Enjoy your membership in the Church. Where else in all the world can you find such a society? . . . Life in the service of the Lord is good. It is beautiful. It is rewarding. Be happy in that which you do. Cultivate a spirit of gladness in your homes." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 255.)

He continues, "I give you my testimony that the happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of the priesthood of God." (Ibid. p. 401.)

Obedience to gospel principles described by the Savior and His chosen servants constitutes true happiness now and in the life to come. We do not need to be distracted from eternal truths by today's temporal diversions.