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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

pleasure vs. happiness

for FHE on monday night, ben put together a great little lesson. 
we talked about the difference between pleasure and true happiness.
in Jesus the Christ James E. Talmage states the following...


"The present is an age of pleasure-seeking, and men are losing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint. In this day of counterfeits, adulterations, and base imitations, the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history, in the manufacture of pleasures, both old and new; and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion, falsely labeled, Happiness. In this soul-destroying craft he is without a peer; he has had centuries of experience and practice, and by his skill he controls the market. He has learned the tricks of the trade, and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers. He puts up the stuff in bright-colored packages, tied with tinsel string and tassel; and crowds flock to his bargain counters, hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy.
"Follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet, and watch him as he opens it. What finds he inside the gilded wrapping? He has expected fragrant happiness, but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure, the stench of which is nauseating.
"Happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure, and much besides. Happiness is genuine gold, pleasure but guilded brass, which corrodes in the hand, and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris. Happiness is as the genuine diamond, which, rough or polished, shines with its own inimitable luster; pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished. Happiness is as the ruby, red as the heart's blood, hard and enduring; pleasure, as stained glass, soft, brittle, and of but transitory beauty.
"Happiness is true food, wholesome, nutritious and sweet; it builds up the body and generates energy for action, physical, mental and spiritual; pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which, like spiritous drink, makes one think he is strong when in reality enfeebled; makes him fancy he is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady.
"Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction.
"True happiness is lived over and over again in memory, always with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish.
"Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light- minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you never been so happy that you have had to weep? I have."


 i had never read that before. but it is written so beautifully. i now have a goal to always seek after things which will produce eternal happiness rather than temporary pleasure. 

we then proceeded to kiwi loco to get the dinner of champions.
and it was DELICIOUS.
if you live in rexburg, go there. 



 happy hump day!

11 comments:

AllyValdez said...

missing you everyday.

Natalie said...

Great post and so very true!

Swirls of Happy said...

I love FHE!!! We planted flowers this week for our :) Cute pics!

Anonymous said...

Hey there sweets! I changed my domain name a couple days ago & it seems as though all my readers need to re~follow my blog. Pretty bummed. If you have a minute, I would love if you could un~follow me, then re~follow me to stay in tune =)
~Angel @ www.thislifeissweet.com

Anonymous said...

alex this really is beautiful! i am finding out more and more each day what real happiness means.. as ive become a mother, i've realized that family is everything.. image and status are nothing. thanks for sharing this! i love you

Unknown said...

this is beautiful! I have never even read that either.
and froyo? yummm

The Thomas' said...

love this girl!

Kelsey said...

love this. and kiwi loco- i really wanted to go there before i had left!!

lolabarri said...

That is beautiful. Thank so much for sharing. What a great lesson.

xoxo,
Ash
The Powder Room

I'll Love You Forever said...

Ah, thanks for sharing! love your blog.. cute pictures!!

The Beauty Method said...

I’m loving your blog, so I have awarded you with a Stylish Blogger Award, check out the dets here and feel free to carry on the torch. Miss Walker

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