And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. — Mosiah 2:41
My father and I became separated when I was a small child. It took 40 years for us to get together again. Soon after that, he became very ill and I went to Texas to be with him.
While there, I met and visited some people whose lifestyle interested me very much. In their home, I felt peace, joy and happiness. Their joy of living and happy faces gave me cause to wonder. This was my first visit to a Mormon home.
When my father got well, he came to Oklahoma to visit me and we talked about my feelings. I told him I wished I could feel the peace, joy and happiness I had felt in that Texas home. He showed me a scripture from Mosiah 2:41 that told me how to obtain those feelings.
Soon after he went back to Texas, I met some Mormon missionaries who were walking by my apartment. I talked with them many times after that day and I spoke to my father often by telephone.
My father baptized me in July of 2004 and in July of 2005 he took me to the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple, where I received my endowments. Now, even though my life is not easy, I have peace and happiness because I know where I came from, why I am here and where I am going. — Sue Ballentine, Tulsa, Okla.