Your Happily Ever After, Dieter F. Uchtdorf

For a moment, think back about your favorite fairy tale. In that story the main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in common: they must overcome adversity.

Cinderella has to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She is compelled to suffer long hours of servitude and ridicule.

In “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast’s castle.

In the tale “Rumpelstiltskin,” a poor miller promises the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king immediately sends for her and locks her in a room with a mound of straw and a spinning wheel. Later in the story she faces the danger of losing her firstborn child unless she can guess the name of the magical creature who helped her in this impossible task.

In each of these stories, Cinderella, Belle, and the miller’s daughter have to experience sadness and trial before they can reach their “happily ever after.” Think about it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own dark valley of temptation, trial, and sorrow?

Sandwiched between their “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy, and love?

The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter.2 Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice?
In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.

...We all search for happiness, and we all try to find our own “happily ever after.” The truth is, God knows how to get there! And He has created a map for you; He knows the way. He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. The map is available to all. It gives explicit directions of what to do and where to go to everyone who is striving to come unto Christ and “stand as [a witness] of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.”4 All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan.

...I understand that, at times, some may wonder why they attend Church meetings or why it is so important to read the scriptures regularly or pray to our Heavenly Father daily. Here is my answer: You do these things because they are part of God’s path for you. And that path will take you to your “happily ever after” destination.


“Happily ever after” is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map.
Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ! Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill your souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others.



Full text here

Obedience, Boyd K. Packer

Obedience- that which God will never take by force- He will accept when freely given. And He will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of- the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more that we offer Him. Strangely enough, the key of freedom is obedience.

Influence, David O. McKay

Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is... It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

"It's progress, not perfection."

Today was my stake conference, and we were privileged to have Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy speak.
He gave 2 really great talks. Some things I took from his talks:

-Although there is turmoil in the world and we are in hard economic times, the days ahead of you are bright.
-Do the most you can and grace will make up for the rest.
-We have all the tools we need to conquer/over come Satan because we have the church.
-Think of spirituality is a talent. We need to develop this talent.
-If you are quiet, still, and search for answers, the Lord will speak to you in a way that you can understand. So build into your life quiet time and find the way to listen.
-Manna: sometimes we want more worldly things but we fail to appreciate what things we already have.
-The Lord can fix anything that is broken: bones, relationships, testimonies.. etc. Just come to him with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

Things I learned from other speakers:
-"It's progress, not perfection" that the Lord expects from us.
-Sometimes the Lord just needs us to show up.
-Love the Lord and you will be saved.
-The restored gospel is a constant in this ever-changing world.
-Be happy to live now and not in some other day and age! ex. Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Middle Ages.
-Thy Thoughts determine thy destiny; 5 thoughts that wil bless us:
1. Love and gratitude
2. Obedience
3. Faith and hope
4. Positive possibilities
5. Thoughts of the spirit: scripture reading, church, conference, and temple attendance.


Most, if not all of these things seem pretty obvious. It's just good to be reminded. :) It was a great conference.