November

All engines want to run, and all people want to be happy.

I am not a mechanic, just ask my wife, but I enjoy watching a TV program where a hot rod shop buys old cars and fixes them up. The master mechanic in the show has a saying that he likes, “all engines want to run.” The master mechanic and his team take a lot of effort to restoring these old vehicles and they turn out some magnificent cars and trucks. I personally believe that all people want to be happy. I also believe that our Father in Heaven wants his children to be happy “men are that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) 

In the Book of Mormon, Father Lehi had a vison which is known as the “tree of life” vision. In this vision Lehi noticed that there were countless people “pressing forward” to obtain something and I believe it to be happiness. As the vision unfolded, he noticed that some had gone off into unfamiliar paths and were lost but others pressed forward and came to the tree of life and partook of the fruit of the tree of life that did fill their souls with exceeding great joy (see 1 Nephi 8:10-12).

Even though members of our religion know the vision of the tree of life quite well, we may experience times where we feel the mist of darkness that can take us away from the happiness we desire. In October the Relief Society invited all to come to an evening where professionals in depression and anxiety came to share their experiences and their training to help us talk about the issues we are faced with. In the future we are looking into providing access to more in-depth classes to help all of us gain more happiness and support each other as a ward family.

Love, Kyle Hays

📄  See the full PDF of Grapevine here.

🎤  Listen to sacrament meeting audio here.