Elder Claudio R. M. Costa
Of the Seventy
We can feel happiness every day in our lives
through little things we do, and we are fully happy as we keep the commandments
of a loving God.
About four months ago, I received the assignment to serve in Bogotá,
Colombia, and moved there. One day, as I was trying to find the way to my new
ward's meetinghouse, I stopped at a park to ask for directions.
I could see many families enjoying a pleasant sunny morning. I stood there
for a while watching the children as they cheerfully played in the park. They
had a special glow in their countenances; their cheeks were flushed from the
sun and from the effort they made to run and play together. They were all very
friendly with each other.
I could tell they were really having fun. As I watched them closely, I realized
that, more than having a fun time, those pure little children were truly happy.
Later, as I was driving to the chapel, my thoughts went back to the time I
was baptized in the Church. An old friend of mine came to me and asked what
I had found so different there. I answered, "I have found true happiness." To
which he replied, "There is no such thing as true happiness—only happy
moments."
I understand that my good friend did not know the difference between fun
and happiness. What he called "happy moments" were in fact the moments
when he had fun. What he did not know then was that happiness is much more than
just fun. Fun is just a fleeting moment, but happiness is a lasting thing.
Many people in this world do not understand the difference between fun and
happiness. Many try to find happiness having fun, but the two words have different
meanings.
I looked them up in the dictionary to find out what each of them meant. Fun
is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, to behave
playfully, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is
contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.
I was taught, after becoming a member of the Church, that there is indeed a
big difference between fun and happiness. I learned, even before my baptism,
that the Lord has a plan of salvation for all His children (see 2
Nephi 2:9). Through this plan, depending upon what we accomplish here on
earth, we shall return to our Heavenly Father's presence and live with Him forever
in a state of eternal happiness.
Both fun and happiness are fine, but certainly happiness is the most worth
seeking. Happiness can encompass fun as well, but fun alone will not assure
us true happiness.
In Luke, chapter 15, we find the parable of the prodigal son. In this parable,
the younger son asks the father to give him his share of the inheritance. The
father does so, and this young man goes out into the world, seeking what he
believes to be true happiness. He starts to have fun, and for as long as he
has money, he lives surrounded by many people who claim to be his friends. When
his fortune is totally wasted with all the fun he has had with his so-called
friends, all of them turn their backs on him, and he is left without a penny.
He then goes through much suffering and disappointment. He starts working for
a man feeding swine, and, starving, he tries to eat even the husks that the
swine would eat. He thinks of his father's servants, who have enough bread to
eat and to spare, and he does not have anything to eat.
He decides to return home to his father and ask him for a job as one of his
hired servants. He returns, repentant from all he has done, and his father,
a righteous man, greets him as a special son. He finally understands that true
happiness is there, in that simple life with his family.
All who seek full happiness can find it in the gospel of Jesus Christ, taught
in His Church. Through Christ's doctrine, we are taught that we can be part
of the great plan of happiness that He has prepared for all of us, His sons
and daughters. As we keep His commandments, we are blessed and come to know
true happiness. We learn that happiness lies in doing small things that build
us up, that increase our faith and testimony. Small things we do in our everyday
lives, such as:
We are happy as we pray every morning and every night, when we can feel that
the Lord hears us and is always willing to bless, forgive, and help us. We are
happy as we feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost in our lives—as we feel
the Spirit when we have to make important life decisions. We are happy as we
go home after a stressful and tiresome day at work to the arms of our families,
as they express love and appreciation for us. We are happy to talk to our children,
to enjoy the family, to get together on family night. In short, we can feel
happiness every day in our lives through little things we do, and we are fully
happy as we keep the commandments of a loving God who cares about us.
True happiness comes from keeping the commandments of God. We are taught in
2
Nephi 2:25 that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might
have joy," or, in other words, that they might be happy.
I have witnessed this happiness in the lives of many members of the Church.
Several weeks ago I had the assignment to preside over a stake conference in
Cali, Colombia. I met a very special young man there who is a member of the
Church and can well illustrate the meaning of true happiness.
His name is Fabián. His family belongs to the Church, and he learned
of the plan of happiness when he was just a little boy. In 1984, when he was
three years old, Fabián and his family lived in a house close to a large
and busy avenue. That avenue was a route for many city bus lines.
One day, seeing the gate open, little Fabián tried to cross the avenue
and got hit by a bus. Thanks to Heavenly Father's goodness, Fabián survived
the accident. His parents took him to three different hospitals that indicated
they could not treat him. They continued looking for help, and upon finding
the proper medical assistance, they learned the prognosis was not very good.
After undergoing multiple surgeries, the doctors informed the family that the
damage to his feet and legs was so extensive that to save him, they had to amputate
his right leg.
Little Fabián started a different life then, without one of his legs.
He slowly learned to control his body balance and to walk with the help of crutches.
He went to school and had the support of his teachers and friends. Some people
used to mock him, but he soon learned not to care about the jokes they played
on him.
He wanted to participate in all physical activities, and did so frequently.
Even though winning was very hard to come by, he was always brave and ready
to participate.
Fabián currently serves as a counselor in the Young Men organization
of his stake. He attends institute of religion classes and is active in the
student body organization. He plays basketball and soccer. He also plays Ping-Pong
with his friends from the institute. He rides a bike and does everything a young
man can do. He works as a volunteer teaching English at a foundation that cares
for poor children.
Fabián wants to serve his fellowmen and God with all his strength. He
has a smiling face and is always there to help someone in need. Fabián
is truly a happy young man. With an overwhelming strength which comes from his
faith and trust in God, Fabián is a great example to the citizens of
his hometown.
His happiness comes from striving to live worthily every day and to obey God's
commandments. He reminds me of a scripture found in Mosiah
2:41: "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 never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these
things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
Being obedient to God's commandments, we will live happily for all eternity.
The Lord said in Alma
41:10 that "wickedness never was happiness."
As a servant of God and as a member of His Church, I invite you to be truly
happy by giving heed to His counsels, by living His commandments, and by obeying
the words of His living prophets.
I know that one of the factors that greatly influences our happiness is listening
to the counsel of the living prophets who teach us in this Church.
I have a testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and
Redeemer. He gave His precious life for each one of us. I know that Joseph Smith
is a prophet of God. This I know with all my heart. I know that the Book of
Mormon is the word of God and that it can lead us to the pathways of happiness.
I know that President Gordon B. Hinckley is the prophet of God today and that
he teaches with love and patience how we can be happy in this life and in the
life to come.
These things are part of my testimony of the truth, and I share them with you,
my brothers and sisters, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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