Blessed and Happy State
Blessed and Happy State
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
May 27th, 2024
I was overwhelmed by the best wishes many of you sent me this week for my birthday. Thank you! You made it an unforgettable week for me.
My most recent birthdays have caused me to reflect more deeply on the important experiences and lessons of my life. Perspective is one of the blessings of growing older. King Benjamin, in his remarkable address to the people of Zarahemla, shared one of the most important truths I have come to learn in my life:
“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...” (Mosiah 2:41)
We all desire to be blessed and happy in life. King Benjamin provides one of the keys to enjoying happiness and blessings in life – obedience to the Lord’s commandments.
An important lesson for us to learn in life is what brings true and lasting happiness. As we taught in our most recent zone conferences, one of the purposes of this life is to discover and live divinely designed gospel principles that will bring us lasting happiness. There are many things in life that will bring us happiness – and many of these things are good and noble pursuits. However, if we are not careful, we can fooled into thinking that anything that makes us happy is worthy of our time and attention.
Our wise and loving Heavenly Father knows that keeping His commandments will bring lasting happiness in this life and the next. We are not promised a life of perpetual happiness. Challenges and difficulties are part of our mortal experience. I know that as we remain faithful to gospel principles and truths, despite the challenges of life, we will find the blessings and happiness promised by King Benjamin.
When President Nelson called Sister Quinn and me to be mission leaders in CASRM, he asked that we work to help our missionaries become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. President Nelson then went on to promise us, “…your missionaries’ lifelong discipleship to Jesus Christ will bring them the greatest joy available in life.” President Nelson, now in his 100th year of life, has learned that the key to a joyful and blessed life is obedience to our Father in Heaven’s commandments. As the Lord’s living prophet, he desires we experience the joy available from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I testify that a blessed and happy life is based on obedience to the commandments and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have found this to be true in my own life. I know that our Father in Heaven’s perfect love for us is the reason He has given us commandments. He desires to bless us. He desires our happiness. I know that true and lasting joy comes through our discipleship to Jesus Christ as we practice the eternal truths of His gospel.
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
