Finding Joy in the Journey - Kenna Hope

Our first wise women is Kenna. She blogs over at Kenna Hope. If you haven't stopped by you seriously need to. Everything she writes is inspiring and makes you feel so much better. Don't take my word for it, just do it! Anyway enough from me...Kenna.

In a talk given April of 1996 by President Gordon B. Hinckley, he said eight words that brought familiarity and hope to church members across the world.

"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

President Hinckley never said it would be easy. He never said it would come naturally, or comfortably, or quickly. He simply stated that enjoying life is the ultimate goal. Prior to saying those eight words, he said, "in all of living have much of fun and laughter." Is that the only key to always enjoying and not just enduring?

I pulled out my dictionary and found the synonyms of enjoy, which are these: like, love, be fond of, be entertained by, take pleasure in, be keen on, delight in, appreciate, relish, revel in, adore, lap up, savor, luxuriate in, bask in...

Sounds pleasant, right? Sounds easy enough, too... until life comes and throws you for a loop, which - mark my words - it always, always does. But guess what? That quote still remains the same and unchanged.

"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

Not simply when times are easy. Not only when our journeys are smooth. At all times. Always. In all places. At all times. In all things. No matter the circumstance. Life is meant to be enjoyed. 

I personally believe, that when President Hinckley said those words, he wasn't simply stating how people should act. I think it was a direct call to each of us. In fact, I think as children of God, and beneficiaries of the Atonement, we each have a responsibility and duty to enjoy the life that our Savior made sure we were given. We know that we will all be judged based on our reactions to adversity and difficulty, right? We know that we will be judged by how we deal with our current circumstances. We know that we are responsible for listening to the brethren and the men called of God to lead this church. So yes... I believe at the end of this mortal life, God could very well ask us, "did you do everything you could do to enjoy your life, be happy, and make others happy around you?" God loves His beloved Son Jesus Christ, infinitely and perfectly. Our Heavenly Father watched His perfect Son atone for each of us... all of us... so we could be given a chance in mortality. 

What I'm trying to say is... whether we are required to be happy or whether we aren't, I am so beyond humbled and grateful to live this precious life, and I will do everything in my power to show my Heavenly Father and Savior just how grateful I am. If that means I have to "enjoy" life, then by all means I'm going to do whatever I can so that will happen. In return, I show my Heavenly Father I respect Him and all that He has given me. In return, I show my Savior Jesus Christ, His Atonement and crucifixion was not in vain. In return, I will make life a much happier place for myself and for those around me. 

I'm so grateful for this gospel. I know that it is true. I know that the words spoken by the brethren are inspired. And I know that Joseph Smith was equally correct and equally inspired when he said "Happiness is the object and design of our existence." I am so grateful for this church and I'm so grateful for the happiness and peace and enjoyment it brings into my life. For that, I will always be indebted to my Heavenly Father and Savior.