I have decided to post this talk given by Elder
Uchtdorf because it has always been one that has stuck out to me. In this talk
he talks about achieving our own "Happily Ever After" which comes
through marriage. I hope you enjoy this talk as much as I have. This talk is
provided on LDS.org and is now a book that you can by as well. I won't be
putting all of it on here but I highly suggest that you read the whole thing
because it is all so good!
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"Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all-eternal
life-and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own "happily ever
after."
.... 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 start?
"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?
.... In your Young Women Personal Progress book,
you will find these words: "You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father,
prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious
purpose."
...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 you own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for
greatness, nobility, courage, and love. ... 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 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.
Trial is Part of the Journey
For a moment, think back about your favorite fairy
tale... You will find one thing all have in common: they must overcome
adversity.
... In each of the stories, Cinderella, Belle, and
the miller's daughter 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?
... The scriptures tell us there must be opposition
in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter.
... Adversity helps to develop a depth of character
that come in no other way, Our loving Heavenly Father has sent us in a world
filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn
wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.
... It is your reaction to adversity, not the
adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop.
...If you ever feel your burden is too great to
bear, lift you heart to your Heavenly Father, and He will uphold and bless you.
He says to you, as He said to Joseph Smith, "Your adversity and your
afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if you endure it well, God
shall exalt you on high."
Enduring adversity is not the only thing you must
do to experience a happy life. Let me repeat: how you react to adversity and
temptation is a critical factor in whether or not you arrive at you own
"happily ever after."
The Gospel is the Way to Happily Ever
After
... "Happily ever after" is not something
found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you
must follow you Heavenly Father's map.
Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill
you souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best
in yourself and others.
... As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I leave
you my blessing and 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, make and keep sacred covenants, receive
the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessing of exaltation." And
the day will come when you turn the final pages of you own glorious story; there
you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful
words: "And they lived happily ever after."Of this I testify in the
holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.