ROSWELL, Ga. — Real happiness in life comes from the Savior's atonement, faith and family — not fame, according to Dale and Nancy Murphy.
During a fireside Sept. 12 at the Roswell Georgia stake center, the Murphys, who now live in Utah, spoke about searching for happiness, the fleeting nature of fame and the important things in life — faith and family. They also reminisced about the years when Dale Murphy was playing baseball for the Atlanta Braves and they were living in the Roswell Ward.
At the fireside, sponsored by the Georgia Atlanta North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nancy Murphy told the audience of Mormons and non-Mormons about the world's emphasis on a search for happiness.
In 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, she pointed out, the people "lived after the manner of happiness." But what they had learned was to keep the commandments, to work hard and be industrious, to read the scriptures and live by their words, and to build temples. Surrounded by these things, happiness happens, she said.
She related the story of a man who bought a painting only to find nowhere to place it in his home. So he returned it to the gallery, where it was suggested that if he really, really wanted to keep the painting, he should return home and empty the home of everything. He should then place the painting on a wall and slowly return those possessions that went with the painting.
So it is with our lives, she said. If there is something we really, really want to add to our busy lives, then we need to shed the "stuff" in our lives and add the "something" — such as prayer or scripture reading — and then begin to add back only those things that complement, match, balance and harmonize.
Dale Murphy shared stories of his Major League Baseball experiences.
At one of the many "Mormon Nights" put on by the Atlanta Braves, he recalled seeing the sign: "Murphy … remember that no success in life compensates for failure at home … plate." He said he always seemed to go 0-for-4 on "Mormon Night."
Murphy also spoke of lessons learned during days of struggle, and challenges that come with slumps in performance. We must learn to not let these moments affect our lives, to not give up, to keep positive, he said, adding that his testimony of the gospel always strengthened his resolve to carry on.
He recounted the lesson he learned about "being a well-known personality" when a friend was trying to tell his son just who Dale Murphy was. His friend compared Dale to Chipper Jones, a current popular Braves player. His son responded immediately, "Could he get me Chipper's autograph?" Fame is fleeting, Murphy said.
He also spoke of his conversion to the LDS Church. Barry Bonnell, a teammate, was often seen reading a book during bus travel. One night, Murphy asked him what he was reading and was told it was the Book of Mormon. Discussion that night ranged from "Have you been baptized?" to "Have you ever wondered if there are prophets on the earth?"
Murphy said he had never really thought about those things but somehow felt that all this sounded familiar and felt good. After that evening, Bonnell told Murphy that he had a couple of guys he'd like Murphy to meet. And so it began with the "two gentlemen in suits." Soon, Murphy said, he was "feeling things he had never felt before, really emotional things," and he wanted to know more about what it was he was feeling. He was baptized in 1975.
Murphy emphasized that the most important message on the earth at this time is the atonement of the Savior and the great plan of happiness. The most important things in our lives are those things that last forever and are eternal in nature, he said, and faith and family bring us true joy.
Before the fireside, Murphy spoke to the missionaries serving in the north Georgia area. The missionaries later sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman)" during the fireside.
After the meeting, teens were overheard in their car talking about the Murphys' messages.
Sarah Fleischer said, "If you listen to the Holy Ghost telling you what to do, you'll always make better choices in life."
Her brother, John Fleischer, said, "Even when life is hard, go to your friends for help."
And their friend, Cassidy Melbo, who is not a Mormon, said, "I'm a Christian and go to the North Point Community Church. I went to the LDS fireside church with the Fleischers. I wasn't expecting to get much out of it, but I did. Dale Murphy's speech made an impact on me. He said he wasn't all for the whole church thing but after having two gentlemen in suits talk to him he felt emotions. Later he got baptized in August 1975 (and) from then on he's been Mormon. (His speech) really touched me, and I'm interested in learning more."
She then decided to attend church with the Fleischers the next day.