Last updated on February 24th, 2024 at 04:13 pm
General Conference Applied
“Do You Want to Be Happy?” by Elder Yoon Hwan Choi; October 2023 General Conference
Corresponding General Conference Applied episode show notes: S2 E21
Talk Outline
Invitations
“My dear brothers and sisters, do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path.”
Directives (“an official or authoritative instruction”)
- “Isn’t it simple to be happy? Just make covenants and keep them in your lives.”
Promises
- Action: “My dear brothers and sisters, do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path.”
Promise: “Your life will be easier, happier, and filled with joy.”
Doctrines
Covenants: “All saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants. A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and man. God gives the conditions for the covenant, and we agree to do what He asks us to do. God then promises us certain blessings for our obedience.”
Principles
The Lord’s Covenant People: “Within the gospel, a covenant means a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and a person or a group of people. In making a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to particular commandments. He sets the terms of His covenants, and He reveals these terms to His prophets. If we choose to obey the terms of the covenant, we receive promised blessings. If we choose not to obey, He withholds the blessings, and in some instances a penalty also is given.”
Christlike Attributes
Obedience: “Obedience is our choice. The Savior made this clear. As stated in the Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 14:28, Jesus directed, ‘Wherefore, settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you.’ It is that simple. … As we do so, our spiritual stability will be greatly enhanced. We will avoid squandering God-given resources and making unproductive and destructive detours in our lives” (Dale G. Renlund, “Constructing Spiritual Stability” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 16, 2014], 2, speeches.byu.edu).
Attribute Activity
- “When I pray, I ask for strength to resist temptation and to do what is right. (3 Nephi 18:15)”
- “I am worthy to have a temple recommend. (Doctrine and Covenants 97:8)”
- “I willingly obey the mission rules and follow the counsel of my leaders. (Hebrews 13:17)”
- “I strive to live in accordance with the laws and principles of the gospel. (Doctrine and Covenants 41:5)”
Most Important Quote
“There are many other things that distract us from staying on the covenant path. No matter what it is, it is never too late to turn our hearts to Heavenly Father for help. Elder Paul V. Johnson taught us: ‘When we follow Satan, we give him power. When we follow God, He gives us power.’ (Paul V. Johnson, “Be Perfected in Him,” October 2022 General Conference)
“King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon testifies: ‘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.'” (Mosiah 2:41)
Powerful Stories
- “A little over a month ago, I received a message from a returned missionary who had served with us. He said: ‘The last while has been tough. Battling anxiety and depression every day has been weighing me down, and it is very difficult. I feel alone and just miserable. I have been praying for the guidance of our Heavenly Father for peace and comfort in what I can do to battle the hardship. … While I was praying, I felt the prompting of the Spirit tell me that I needed to be paying my tithing in full. … I felt the Spirit so strongly, and I immediately felt the urge to do so. With the desire to do so, I felt the prompting that ‘if you pay your tithing, everything will be OK.’ I am still struggling to find peace, but I do have a testimony in our Savior and that through my obedience, I can feel and find the peace I am looking for in my heart and mind. I have recently decided to come back to the Church and to seek the Spirit in all that I do.’
“Now he is doing very well. You also may ask Heavenly Father for peace, but the answer may be different than what you anticipate it will be. As long as you seek to know of the Savior and pray to Heavenly Father, He will give you a customized answer for you.” - “When I was called to be a bishop, it was during the most difficult time of my life. I was a young father in my early 30s, but I was in trouble financially because of family challenges. I couldn’t find any solution, and I thought the challenges would never end. I was exhausted financially and emotionally. I started doubting my spiritual strength as well. It was at that difficult time that my stake president extended the calling to me. I accepted the call anyway, although it was hard.
“My wife also had an interview with the stake president, but she could not say yes, and she did not say no either but kept shedding tears. She cried for the whole week, asking Heavenly Father, ‘Why now?’ and ‘Do You really know each individual?’ She didn’t get an answer, but I was sustained as bishop on the following Sunday. She did not ask Heavenly Father those questions anymore but supported me in my calling for six years.
“On the Sunday when I was released, my wife heard a voice while she was receiving the sacrament. The voice whispered to her, ‘Because it was too hard for you to walk, I called him as a bishop in order to hold you and walk for you.’ Looking back at the past six years, she realized that all of the many challenges that seemed to be endless had now been resolved along the way.
“We learned that when we think it is not a good time for us to receive a calling, it may be the time we need that calling the most. Whenever the Lord asks us to serve in any calling, whether it is a lighter or heavier calling, He sees our needs. He provides the strength we need and has blessings ready to be poured out upon us as we faithfully serve.”
The Best Footnote
Footnote 1: “Russell M. Nelson, in Sarah Jane Weaver, ‘In Orlando, President Nelson Shares 7 Truths That Have the Power to Change Lives,’ Church News, June 9, 2019, thechurchnews.com.”
Questions for Reflection Asked by the Speaker
- “Why now?”
- “Do You really know each individual?”
Tags
Church Callings | Covenants | Joy | Obedience | Service
Additional Content
Next Talk Outline (“Hallmarks of Happiness” by Elder Gary B. Sabin)