"Our Heavenly Father intends for us to be happy 'Man is that he might have joy' the scripture says (2 Ne. 2:25.) That means 10- and 11-year-old girls are that they might have joy as well. Life does make sense because there is a plan - a plan by which we may have joy and be happy here on earth and eternally. . . .
"You girls have often repeated in Primary this motto: 'I can follow God's plan for me.' . . . My birthday was a few weeks ago, and my children asked . . . 'Mother, what would you like for your birthday?' I answered 'Sweetheart, just be good so you can be happy.' Their happiness is my fondest desire. Our happiness is our Heavenly Father's fondest desire. He has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ. We learn His teachings through the scriptures, through revelation, and through our prophet in order that joy might be ours through our own personal goodness, or personal righteousness. He wants us to ge good so we can be happy."The great Book of Mormon prophet Lehi. . . told his children, 'If there be no righteousness, there be no happiness.' (2 Ne. 2:13.) When we are good or righteous, we are following God's plan.
"But isn't it hard to be good sometimes? It is a struggle with the temptations that come from being human, being mortal in a mortal world. but that too is part of the plan. that is where the choice comes in. . . .
"You have a choice. The Lord has given you control of your life by giving you a choice. I'm not saying that nothing bad will ever happen to you. You will not always be able to control what others may say or do, but you can control how you react to them. Temptation, illness, accidents, and tragedy are part of this life. There will be some tough days in your lives - very tough days. But when you follow God's plan, you can know what to do and that's when you are in control. You can decide whether or not you are going to be happy by making choices that will lead you close to your Heavenly Father and away from Satan. You can decide what you will say and do.
"I think you know what I mean. You have already made some good decisions that have made you happy. You have chosen to be baptized. You have chosen to attend Church meetings like this one. You may have dicided to not use profanity or to not watch bad television programs, to dress modestly, or to observe the Word of Wisdom. Every day brings many opportunities to choose to follow god's plan. . . .
"Often the choices are hard because we sometimes want to do what everyone else is doing, or because something frightens us or worries us, or because we really don't know what the right choice is. When hands were placed upon your head at the time you were confirmed a member of the Church, you were given the Holy Ghost to help you know what your Heavenly Father would have you do and to have the courage to do it. So even when it's hard, you can pray for answers, you can read in the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost will help you know."