Question of the Day: Eeyore or Tigger.

So here we have the tow opposite ends of the spectrum in the Winnie the Pooh stories.

First, we have Eeyore; the ever-present pessimist who seems to have the attitude, "Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could". No matter what, something is always bad for Eeyore. Nobody loves him, nothing goes right, his house constantly gets knocked over, he always loses his tail. Everything is always bad and nothing is ever good.

On the other hand we have Tigger; the energetic, bouncy, happy Tigger. Tigger seems to look at the world as bright and sunshiny. He finds the silver lining in even the darkest clouds. There is something good about every situation with this one-of-a-kind "T-I-double Ga-errr". He always joyfully exclaims that, "the greatest thing about Tiggers is I'm the only one!".

Let us hope that is not the case.

So...which are we? Are we Eeyore? Does everything seem to work against us? Or are we Tigger? No matter what happens we are the ones to handle it?

God did not create us or put us into situations so that we will be miserable all of the time. "Men are that they might have joy," is what God has in mind. (2 Nephi 2:25) We need to become a little more like Tigger and find those silver linings. I promise they are there.

I promise that as we begin to try to FIND the good in every situation we will become more like Tigger; bouncy and happy. Doesn't that sound like a better way to live?

Happily Ever After

Over the years I have been exposed to many beautiful languages—each of them is fascinating and remarkable; each has its particular charm. But as different as these languages can be, they often have things in common. For example, in most languages there exists a phrase as magical and full of promise as perhaps any in the world. That phrase is “Once upon a time.”

Aren’t those wonderful words to begin a story? “Once upon a time” promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words “And they lived happily ever after.”

Isn’t that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?

“You are a beloved child of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose.” ¹

Those words are true! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”

But such a blessing does not come without a price. It is not given simply because you desire it. It comes only through understanding who you are and what you must become in order to be worthy of such a gift.

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 each of these stories, Cinderella and Belle 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?

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.

You need to know that you will experience your own adversity. None is exempt. You will suffer, be tempted, and make mistakes. You will learn for yourself what every heroine has learned: through overcoming challenges come growth and strength.

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.

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.

I give you a promise that as you accept and live the values and principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, “[you] will be prepared to strengthen home and family,And the day will come when you turn the final pages of your own glorious story; there you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful words: “And they lived happily ever after.”

The Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland...The Happiest Place on Earth.

I love Disneyland. I can remember the excitement I felt when we drove up. It just creates a spirit of happiness. As you approach you start to hear the cheerful Disney music, you see hedges trimmed in the shapes of Mickey Mouse, Dumbo and Goofy. I can barely contain my feelings of elation. It is a place where you can let your hair down, have fun, be a kid. It doesn't matter. I once watched my father, a grown man with children and grandchildren, SPRINT from the parking garage to the gates of the park. Nobody cared. Everybody else was just as excited.

Ok, ok, I'm sure all of you are thinking, "Elder Davis are you a missionary or a sales rep for Disney?" 

My point I was getting to was that why should those feelings revolve around a park that you visit maybe once in a lifetime? Why can't we have that excitement and happiness all the time?

What if our homes were that way?

Couldn't it happen? What if that's how it was? Every time you come home at the end of the day you were so excited to be there! As you drive up you are just filled to the brim with joy and exhilaration! You know that waiting there for you are the people that you would most want to spend time with...your family.

I promise you that this can be the case. If you focus your life and family around the proper things I can promise you that your home will become your "Happiest Place on Earth". Your family will be closer together. I promise you that no matter what your life is like. Single or married, children or not. If you base your life around the gospel of Jesus Christ your home will become your safe-haven and you will want to go there. Our homes should be our happiest place. Our families are whom we should want to spend our time with. I promise you there is a way. 

A Special Family

Family. What do you think about when you hear this? A lot of people think of family dinners or holidays. Maybe you think of crowded houses and arguments. Regardless, everyone has a family. The question is, how do we make our families closer and more loving? It seems to me that our families should be something more than merely 4, 5, or 6 individuals that just happen to share a last name and live under the same roof for a few years. But how do we do it?

"The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." When we come to the realization of this then we understand more how important it is to build our families. Having a loving close knit family takes effort. Making a special family takes a special effort. Since families are central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny and happiness for us the adversary is taking extra steps and strides to try to tear families apart and make it harder for them to succeed. If you don't believe me just look at the divorce rate in this world.

So once again the question sits before us...How do I do it? Well, here is your answer.

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

My friends and family I don't know what else to tell you. The Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's fulness and simplicity is once again the answer. Not only is it the answer to success in our individual lives, it is also the answer for success in our families.

So what do we do? What are our actions in this? I promise you that if you sit down with your family and read from the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon), have family prayer, have family dinner, go on family activities, have a designated night as a family night, go to church you will have a closer family. I know that if this is not something you have before done it may not make sense. I can testify the truths of it to you because I have seen the blessings in my family as we made this simples steps. I have also seen the consequences of not doing it. My family is not a perfect family, but we are an eternal family and a loving family and it is because of following the simplicity of the teachings of the prophets.

I love you and leave this testimony and promise with you as an authorized representative and disciple of Jesus Christ.