Gordon B. Hinckley on finding happiness in life

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961, served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008 at age 97.

"Never forget who you are, as you have sung tonight. You are in very deed a child of God.... He is your Eternal Father. He loves you. You can go to Him in prayer. He has invited you to do so. Every one of you knows this, and what a wonderful thing this is. He is the Greatest of All. He is the Creator and Governor of the universe. And yet He will listen to your prayer!

"He wants His sons and daughters to be happy. Sin never was happiness. Transgression never was happiness. Disobedience never was happiness. The way of happiness is found in the plan of our Father in Heaven and in obedience to the commandments of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ....

"Be true to our Eternal Father and His Beloved Son. When all else fails, our Lord is there to help us. He has said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matt. 11:28). Each of you has burdens. Let the Lord help you in carrying those burdens. Again He has said, 'Take my yoke upon you, ... for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' (Matt. 11:29–30). He stands ready to help—to help each of us—with every burden....

"And finally, in all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand True and Faithful," General Young Women Meeting, April 1996; see Ensign, May 1996, pp. 91-95
Click here to read the full talk

This wonderful address by President Hinckley was presented at a General Young Women meeting. He encouraged wise choices and faithful living, and promised happiness that would follow. The principles apply to all of us. Happiness, true happiness, comes from obedience, repentence, prayer, devotion, and reaching out to the Savior.

But I think this final insight might be the most helpful of all.