Freedom of Choice/Living Joyfully in Troubled Times - February 15, 2015

 Natalie M. taught a great lesson blending themes from 2 chapters of the Ezra Taft Benson manual:
 Chapter 3: Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle and Chapter 4: Living Joyfully in Troubled Times.

• In what ways have you seen that “the war that began in heaven … is not yet over”?

• How can we teach agency to youth children?

Let them have consequences in the home.



We were lucky to have a class of Primary children drop in and sing "Choose the Right Way" for all of us.

Choose the Right Way  160

1. There's a right way to live and be happy;
It is choosing the right ev'ry day.
I am learning the teachings of Jesus;
They will help me and show me the way.

Choose the right way and be happy.
I must always choose the right.

2. Through the gospel I learn to be prayerful,
To have faith, to repent, to obey,
And I know if I live by his teachings,
I will truly be happy each day.

Words and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904–1997.
© 1981 IRI

 … Satan’s program is “play now and pay later.” He seeks for all to be miserable like unto himself [see 2 Nephi 2:27]. The Lord’s program is happiness now and joy forever through gospel living.
We are free to choose, but we are not free to alter the consequences of those choices.
Chapter 3: Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle

While a man may take some temporary pleasure in sin, the end result is unhappiness. “Wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:10.) Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God’s laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy-laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Chapter 3: Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

• When have you given the Lord your burden and it was made light?

The biggest business of any life is making decisions.
Chapter 3: Freedom of Choice, an Eternal Principle

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

• What does it mean to you to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause”?

Living Joyfully in Troubled Times

• Why does faith give hope and peace?

16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.
Doctrine & Covenants 101:16

We have no cause to really worry. 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.
There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” (Doct&Cov 121:7–8.)
Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine.
Chapter 4: Living Joyfully in Troubled Times

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Mosiah 2:41

• What are some experiences that let you know that Heavenly Father wants you to be happy?