Happy Like Jesus III* (continued from . . . . Happy Like Jesus II )
A powerful lesson comes from modern American history. Secretary of State George C. Marshall once told a discouraged staff, “Gentlemen, it is my experience [that] an enlisted man may have a morale problem. [But] an officer is expected to take care of his own morale.”4 In other words, morale problems are an enlisted man’s privilege; they are not for the officers! We are God’s officers in his kingdom. As with General Marshall’s officers, so with us: we have a duty to be positive; we have an obligation to produce happiness, not just enjoy it.
And besides, a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks! Cheerfulness is wonderfully contagious.
Remember the inspiring message of 2 Nephi 10:20: “And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads for we are not cast off” (emphasis added).
The History of the Church records an extraordinary revelation Joseph Smith received, part of which became Doctrine and Covenants 137. In the very next paragraph after what became section 137, the Prophet describes the following scene:
“I saw the Twelve Apostle of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth . . . in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold Him. The Savior looked upon them and wept.”5
When you are feeling down, where are you eyes? They are looking down. Where is your head? It is hanging down. We have to keep looking up. The Savior is up there watching over us. If you will keep your head up and your eyes open, you will know that he is there to help.
President Gordon B. Hinkley was fond of saying, Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.”6 How could he, and all the other prophets and leaders of the Church, be so positive?
Because they have the big picture. They know what is coming. Despite all the struggles, hardships, difficulties, ordeals, even painful afflictions of this life, they know that the glorious cause of the kingdom of God will triumph. Triumph is just a little umph added to try.
We are on the winning team, so don’t quit the team! Keep on keeping on. And the Savior said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).
Stay with it, do what is right, and be happy—like Jesus. ~D. Kelly Ogden, ‘Happy Like Jesus’ (Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2011), 8-9
