"I've Never Been Happier"

The Road to Moriba Town

"I've never been happier!" These words were expressed by a missionary during a zone conference in Moriba Town a few months ago. I was struck by them! Moriba Town is not an easy place to live. There are no paved roads. In rainy season, you get drenched and muddy, and traveling is difficult. In dry season, red dust is everywhere. White shirts quickly turn a shade of yellow, and nametags are hard to read because dirt fills in the lettered grooves. Fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive and difficult to find. The missionaries live off rice and pla-sauce (a name for any sauce containing potato leaf, cassava leaf, beans, ground nuts, or punkie).

Generators seem to fail more often than they work. Without electricity, the missionaries can’t use their fans, so nights are hot and humid which makes sleeping a challenge. Wells run dry and pumps break. The missionaries carry water in Jerry cans from the well at the church or the senior couple’s house. They use a bike pump to push water through the filter so they can cook and fill their water bottles. They shower by dipping cups into a bucket and wash (brook) their clothes in another bucket.

They ride on the back of motorcycles for 30 minutes at a time, donning sweatshirts over their white shirts to keep them clean (even though it’s 98 degrees outside). They put on helmets and cover their faces with bandanas to keep the dust out of their mouth and nose.

Yet – they’ve “never been happier”.

What is it that makes them so happy?

Hundreds of books have been written about happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to feel joy. And not fleeting happiness and joy but continuous happiness and joy. Is it possible?

In his book, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier”, Arthur C. Brooks wrote, “If you are all about selfishness and self-care, you are never going to get happier. A good deal of happiness is transcending yourself. Do you have a sense of meaning in what you are doing? Do you live for something bigger than yourself?”

Elder David A. Bednar said, “In our most demanding moments, we often turn inwards. The Savior did the opposite – He turned outward and thought of others. Turning to God and away from yourself is the only source of true joy. We feel joy when the course we are pursuing is in alignment with God’s will.”

“As one's will is increasingly submissive to the will of God, he can receive inspiration and revelation so much needed to help meet the trials of life. Progression toward submission confers another blessing: an enhanced capacity for joy.” (Neal A. Maxwell)

Thousands of young men and women serve missions around the world. They voluntarily set aside their own desires, needs, and comfort, often using their own money, leaving jobs, schooling, friends, and family behind.

We witness missionaries transcend themselves every day. They turn outward instead of in and submit to God’s will instead of their own. Their thoughts and behavior are in complete alignment with the covenants they make in the temple. Because of this they feel great purpose in their lives and their capacity for joy is increased.

Thus, they can truly say:

“I’ve never been happier!”

-Kathy

P.S. If you want to follow our mission updates more closely, check out our Facebook page: Sierra Leone Bo Mission President and Sister Wyatt 2024-2027.