I know that we as Latter-day Saints are told again and again that the only way to lasting peace and happiness is to obey the commandments of God. Although there is much truth to that statement, there is more that I would like to add to that. The reason is because there are many people who, I believe, try earnestly to keep the commandments, but still are not happy.
In my opinion, we are the happiest when we fulfill our desires, or in other words, when we do what we want to do. However, when what we want is contrary to what the Lord wants for us, and we follow through with that desire, it will only end in short-term pleasure, not true lasting happiness.
Many people who understand this will do the Lord's will, even though, inside they would really rather do their own will. When this happens, happiness is not found. True, lasting happiness then, is found by wanting to do the Lord's will, and then doing it. This way, you are doing what you want to do, and what you want to do is what the Lord wants you to do, thus you are pleasantly surprised with joy :)
Someone might ask, "this sounds great, but how do I change my desires to do what the Lord would want for me?" Although it sounds difficult to change our desires, it really is quite simple. The answer is faith. When we understand and believe that the best way is the Lord's way, because He knows better than we do, and loves us perfectly, then instantly our desire is to do the Lord's will.
Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge of the Seventy said this in his talk "The Fourth Missionary",
"Our nature, our hearts, our desires can be changed almost immediately upon the attainment of knowledge. Our nature can change almost immediately as we come to understand true doctrine. In this instance, as you come to understand that the only way to light, intelligence, strength, capacity, peace, contentment, grace, knowledge, power, happiness, mercy, joy and every other good thing, is to follow Christ, then you will want to follow Him because it is the only intelligent thing to do. Not because you are a saint, not because you are better than others; rather, because you are more intelligent than others. It is the only intelligent thing to do. When you understand that, then you will forget about yourself, and your will. and your only desire will be to do the Lord's will...
"Elder Holland teaches that a great swimmer once said when asked his secret of success: "I kick when I don't want to kick, and I stroke when I don't want to stroke." Like the First, Second and Third Missionaries there are times when the Fourth Missionary doesn't want to kick and doesn't want to stroke either. The difference between the Third and Fourth Missionary is that the Third Missionary will kick and stroke because it is his duty, because that is what is expected of him and he will hate and resent it, while the Fourth Missionary will kick and stroke because he knows that it is the only intelligent thing to do."
I know that this talk is directed towards missionaries, but it is universally applicable to everyone. I know that when we simply submit to the Lord's will, not because we feel obligated to, but because we understand and believe that "it is the only intelligent thing to do," our desires will change to be more Christlike, and we will find lasting happiness in doing the will of our Heavenly Father and our Savior.
I know that this talk is directed towards missionaries, but it is universally applicable to everyone. I know that when we simply submit to the Lord's will, not because we feel obligated to, but because we understand and believe that "it is the only intelligent thing to do," our desires will change to be more Christlike, and we will find lasting happiness in doing the will of our Heavenly Father and our Savior.
