Elder Gary B. Sabin
In this talk, Elder Gary B. Sabin discusses the key principles for finding true happiness in a confusing world. He emphasizes the importance of building a foundation on Jesus Christ, recognizing our divine identity as children of God, valuing the worth of every soul, maintaining an eternal perspective, and cultivating gratitude. Through these principles, he asserts that we can discover genuine happiness in our mortal journey.
Building upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ
Elder Sabin stresses the significance of establishing a foundation on Jesus Christ. He quotes Alma, “For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.” This foundation prepares us for life’s challenges.
“Therefore, my first observation is that building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ is essential to our happiness. This is a sure foundation, ‘a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.’ Doing so prepares us for the challenges of life, come what may.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Alma 7:7: “Know ye not that there is more than one thing which is needful?”
- Helaman 5:12: “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
Recognizing Our Divine Identity
Elder Sabin shares an encounter with a man whose identity was tied to a gang territory number. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. Understanding our divine lineage and potential changes our perspective on life’s challenges.
“There is a wise line in a song from the film The Prince of Egypt that states, ‘Look at your life through heaven’s eyes.’ As the knowledge of our divine lineage and eternal potential sinks deep into our souls, we will be able to view life as a purposeful, unfolding adventure to learn and grow from, even as ‘we see through a glass, darkly,’ for a short season.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 1 John 3:1: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
- Moses 1:39: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Valuing the Worth of a Soul
Elder Sabin emphasizes the importance of loving and serving one another. He quotes the Savior’s admonition to “love one another; as I have loved you.” Being kind, forgiving, and nonjudgmental is crucial to our happiness and reflects God’s love.
“We will never regret being too kind. In God’s eyes, kindness is synonymous with greatness. Part of being kind is being forgiving and nonjudgmental.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
- Proverbs 3:27: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
Maintaining an Eternal Perspective
Elder Sabin discusses the importance of an eternal perspective, sharing a story of his daughter’s faith before a life-changing surgery. His daughter comforted him, saying, Jennifer almost preached to me with all of her 90 pounds (41 kg), saying, “Don’t worry, Dad! Tomorrow I will wake up with new lungs, or I will wake up in a better place. Either way will be great.”
“Seeing life from an eternal vantage point provides clarity, comfort, courage, and hope.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 2 Corinthians 4:18: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 14:7: “And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”
Cultivating Gratitude
Elder Sabin emphasizes the power of gratitude in finding happiness. Gratitude leads to other virtues and a greater awareness of life’s blessings.
“The Lord declared, ‘And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious.’”
Scriptural references for further study:
- D&C 78:19: “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”
- Mosiah 2:24: “And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?”
Calls to Action:
- “Our first noble deed of the morning should be a humble prayer of gratitude.”
- “I promise you that if we build our lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ; value our true identity as sons and daughters of God; remember the worth of a soul; maintain an eternal perspective; and gratefully appreciate our many blessings, especially Christ’s invitation to come unto Him, we can find the true happiness we seek during this mortal adventure.”