Lesson January 29, 2017

Lesson for January 29, 2017 Today our lesson was given by Lisa Merrill from The Teachings of Gordon B Hinckley chapter three, “Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism.” Lisa said she loves President Hinckley. She remembers a regional conference when she was a missionary when President Hinckley subbed for President Benson. THey were so excited to have a member of the First Presidency there and planned to stand. President Hinckley told everyone to sit down because he did not want attention. His mother often said a happy attitude and smiling countenance can help you over nearly everything. His father said cynics do not contribute and pessimists do not create. So Pres. Hinckley on his mission started every morning by shaking his companion’s hand and say, “It will be a good day.” Then at night, they could say, “It’s been a good day. We’ve done some good.” The main message of the lesson is to be believing, be happy, don’t get discouraged, because things will work out. Elder Richard G. Scott said to be happy when frustration causes despair, we must remember that God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the filth. Overcome evil with good. Joshua said, Choose you this day whom ye shall serve, but for me and y family, we will serve the Lord. The Lord sent us here to be successful. We must deny ourselves of all ungodliness. The plan of happiness can lift and bless those who live it anywhere. When we think about the gospel and the plan of happiness, it is why we are sent here. In our manuals, it says that having a negative attitude can influence everyone. A sister had a roommate who was always cynical and sad, so this sister wanted to say one thing that was good that day and it had a good influence, but if they didn’t do that, the next day was bad. The lesson is that we don’t want to be miserable. Some sisters do suffer from clinical depression or bi-polar and we have to learn to be happy in spite of having to deal with them. You can learn to deal with whatever they have to go through with some routines and sympathy, but know that God is there for you. A quote “Mormons are one of the happiest people on earth.” They know the big picture and can find that happiness. It’s not just natural sometimes. Jesus did not have an easy life, but because he was living righteously, he could see the big picture and was happy. If you can say you are doing your best, you can be like Jesus and be happy. President Hinckley talks about a terrible diet of horrible news, but he asks us to seek out the good so we can turn from the negativism and seek out the good in our land. Let our faith replace our fears. You don’t build out of negativism and cynicism. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Walk with faith. The Lord’s plan is one of happiness. We need to cultivate happiness and optimism. It’s amazing that he said this years ago, but we need it right now. So to incorporate it right now is so important for our salvation. We can take that optimism to the bank. Too many of us live on bad foods, we feel worse. If we eat wrong, we can feel the difference. We can make better decisions. We can accomplish more. One sister’s mom loves social media to keep her in touch with what her young women and family are doing. However, there are many who post negative things and even the positive things can make us envious or sad that we don’t have what they do. Rather than dwell on our problems, we can dwell on our blessings. Lisa said that on December 17, her husband got pneumonia and she thought she had to get ready for visitors and Christmas. She kept thinking that she was the only one who could get her family ready, while she worried about her husband. Christmas came and no one complained. She was not thankful for the problems, but she made a list of her blessings that came through the problems. Her two older boys gave her husband a priesthood blessing and they shoveled the walks. She watched as he spent time with the family, even as he used up his sick leave. Her testimony of prayer was strengthened as she was prompted to ask her siblings for prayers. The next day, her husband was doing so much better. As we’re going through hard times, and we will, we can focus on being grateful for our challenges and the blessings we’ve received. President Hinckley said, “I enjoy these words of Jenkins Lloyd Jones. Anyone who thinks that happiness is normal, will run around shouting they’ve been robbed. . . . Life is like a old time railroad trip fill of side trips, cinders, and interspersed with beauty.” Lisa asked Lisa Anderson to help with the last bit about the children of Israel at the edge of Canaan. Twelve spies tell about what is going on. They came back saying that the land was beautiful, but too strong for Israel take on. Joshua and Caleb said they could. But the other ten said no, so they wandered for forty years and the other ten died Joshua and Caleb lived to enter Canaan. Lisa Anderson said, have faith. It’ll work out. President Hinckley said to make the extra effort and you will know gladness in your heart, but the problems will not last forever. Know God is looking over you. There is so much of the sweet to partake of. The gospel is one of hope and salvation. God said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” His promises will never fail. He will not leave us if we turn to him.