LIVING JOYFULLY IN TROUBLED TIMES

"Happiness here and now consists in freely, lovingly, joyfully acknowledging God's will for us - and doing it in all ways and all affairs big and small."

Today, our discussion of Lesson #4 from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Ezra Taft Benson" was led by Sister Gail Wasden. We also were pleased to have the High Priests' group join us since they were teacherless due to circumstances beyond their control!

Sister Wasden pointed out that this week's lesson was very close to the one we had in Lesson #3 being that it involves making positive choices in our life situations. She read a quote from Abraham Lincoln expressing the thought that," We are only as happy as we choose to be". There was a consensus of agreement on that point as we discussed the awareness of our time here on earth being no longer as "Saturday's Warriors", but possibly as warriors at 4:00 AM on Sunday morning before the Second Coming of the Lord.

In reading of the experiences and early assignments of President Ezra Taft Benson as an Apostle we learned of his travels through Germany to help bring relief to the Saints (and other survivors) in Europe after World War II. President Benson's words expressed that situation as "The worst destruction I have witnessed . . ." He "saw half-starved women paying exorbitant prices anxiously for potato peelings . . . old men and women with small hatchets eagerly digging at tree stumps and roots . . . to get scraps of fuel and then pulling those home for miles on anything that would roll . . . as beasts of burden."

"Later (he said) I faced in a cold half-wrecked third floor auditorium off a bombed street 480 cold half-starved but faithful Latter-Day Saints in a conference meeting. It was an inspiration to see the light of faith. . . There was no bitterness or anger but a sweet reciprocation and expression of faith in the gospel."

"Not a single member registered any complaint about their circumstances in spite of the fact that some were in the last stages of starvation right before our eyes.

". . . Our Saints . . . are full of hope, courage, and faith, and everywhere they look cheerfully forward with expressions of deepest faith for the gospel and for their membership in the Church. It was one of the greatest demonstrations we have ever seen of the real fruits of the gospel in the lives of men and women."

Sister Wasden spoke about an older book she had titled "On Wings of Faith" by Frederick Babbel who served as a mission secretary to then Apostle Benson. The book is based on his personal journal and covers the travels of President Benson as an Apostle after World War II on a mission to provide relief to these suffering Saints and survivors. She said that many times in this book, the faithful prayers offered by President Benson during those journeys led him to success in making seemingly impossible travel connections and cutting through post-war bureaucratic red tape in order for him and his fellow advisors to meet with surviving members and set up conferences to aid branch leaders in providing basic necessities and relief supplies to those stricken members.

The lesson material gave examples of times when President Benson also found hope and optimism close to home as many of his fellow farmers remained cheerful even when they faced severe difficulties.

One such example was an encounter with a Brother Yost who had suffered a severe economic setback due to a late frost and the subsequent loss of his wheat crop.  Brother Yost expressed his faith and optimism as, ". . . everything's all right. . . We're not going to starve, and there'll be another crop." President Benson's impression was, "What a wonderful spirit."

Later in the same week, President Benson and his family drove to Logan and happened to meet the same Brother Yost. Upon being asked by President Benson what brought him to Logan, Brother Yost replied, "Brother Benson, it's our day to go to the temple." President Benson's response was, "Well, reverses don't dampen your spirits any, do they?  'Then (President Benson said), he taught me a lesson. He said, 'Brother Benson, when reverses come we need the temple all the more . . .' "

President Benson set an example to others, as well, in his response to adversity. Elder Neal A. Maxwell is quoted as saying that President Benson was "a careful watcher of events, (who) maintains a certain buoyancy and cheerfulness we would do well to watch. Such buoyancy comes not from ignoring enveloping events, but from noticing these and yet looking beyond them to promises having to do with how the kingdom will finally prevail."

With faith in our Heavenly Father, we can have hope for the future, optimism in our present tasks, and inner peace.

This section talks about faith, hope and optimism in our present developments and how we can achieve inner peace.

It is the way of earthly life that we all will have disappointments and discouragements in our lives, but if we have faith, President Benson assures us that our setbacks will be "but a moment and success will come out of our seeming failures."  We can gain inner peace by trusting our Father in Heaven, knowing that he loves us and wants the best for each of us. Regular daily personal prayer will bring us closer to Him and increase our understanding.

One of the High Priests recalled a reminder from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin that mentions all will endure pain, but we don't have to love it.

Class comments led us to understand that if we know what our ultimate goal is and are convinced that we will attain it, we will have peace as long as we keep the Savior in our hearts and keep His commandments. One class member mentioned a quotation from President Benson, "It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent." Following the teachings of Jesus Christ and adhering to His commandments will help us to become stronger and develop our faith. By becoming strong and optimistic, we will be better prepared to pick up the pieces when situations in our lives seem to fall apart.

Happiness must be earned from day to day, but it is worth the effort.

President Benson's advice under this section is "Live the gospel, keep the commandments. Attend to your prayers night and morning in your home. Maintain the standards of the Church. Try and live calmly and cheerfully . . .  Happiness must be earned from day to day. But it is worth the effort."

Further, he explains that, "There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. Doc. & Cov. 121:7-8 when the Lord is speaking to the Prophet Joseph Smith says, "Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high."

As President Benson explains, "While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful."

It was mentioned that we all know "bad" things do happen to good people. But through exercising our agency in positive ways we can gain faith, grow spiritually and obtain knowledge that can comfort others who may find themselves in similar situations.

We can strive to follow President Benson's advice: "Be cheerful in all that you do. Live joyfully. Live happily. Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love."  Really, how much better is life when we are cheerful, happy and joyful? Look at the enthusiasm small children have for life, the joy they find in the marvels of the world about them. Let us try to find joy and gratitude in our lives to overcome the shadows of despair that may come from adversity.

In closing, believe the words of President Benson: "We will never be alone if we live as we should, because our Father will always be with us to bless us. He wants us to be successful. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to achieve the good goals we set. He will do His part if we do our part."

Your bloggess, looking toward the Light,

Karen