My life has been pretty great. I grew up with a very stable and loving family and have so far been lucky enough to not encounter any real devastation in life. That isn't to say that life has been easy for me, in fact, it is to that point to which I want to share my beliefs - that everyday life can be so difficult and changing, that without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will not find happiness.

Lately I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do for the rest of my life. It is a common crossroad, one that every person goes though, but I had not anticipated the difficulty of the task until I was faced with it. Up to this point, I've had a plan that I could follow - Graduate high school? Check. Go on a church mission for two years? Check. Graduate College? Check. Figure out what to do from here? Hmmm... There are so many paths that I could choose, so many options (Should I go back to school? Should I stay in Boston? What industry should I work in?), it has been really hard to commit to one and move forward. I have been feeling trapped, alone, and not sure what to do next. The peace and happiness of having direction in my life had begun to slip away and it was horrible.

I have been praying a lot about my situation, trying to find happiness and direction again, and my prayers were answered through the words of one of the 12 living Apostles of the mormon church. His name is Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and he gave a talk entitled “The Way of the Disciple.” Speaking on finding happiness, he said,

“We live in a time when many worry about their livelihood. They are concerned about the future and doubt their ability to resolve the challenges that confront them. Many have experienced personal misfortune and sadness. They hunger for meaning and purpose in life.
Because there is such great interest in these issues, the world is not bashful in offering numerous new answers to every problem we face. People run from one new idea to the next, hoping to find something that will answer the burning questions of their souls. They attend seminars and buy books, CDs, and other products. They get caught up in the excitement of looking for something new. But inevitably, the flame of each new theory fades, only to be replaced by another “new and improved” solution that promises to do what the others before could not.
It’s not that these worldly options don’t contain elements of truth—many of them do. Nevertheless, they all fall short of the lasting change we seek in our lives. After the excitement wears off, the hollowness remains as we look for the next new idea to unlock the secrets of happiness.
In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone’s theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowledge, He has given us the gospel—a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success.”

This was an answer to my prayers. I will find happiness and the answers to my questions as I worked more diligently to follow Christ. I know this is true because I am trying my best to do it and I have already felt much more purpose and guidance. I have not figured everything out yet, but I am much closer, and I have peace.

I know that Christ died for our sins so that we can be forgiven of them. I know that God is our Father and wants us to return and live with him. I know that His teachings give us happiness in this life if we learn of them and follow them.

Elder Uchtdorf concludes his talk by saying, “I invite you to start where you are and come to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk…in the way of the Lord. I testify that the Lord will bless your life, endow you with knowledge and joy beyond comprehension, and distill upon you the supernal gifts of the Spirit. It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late.”