When I was a primary teacher I had the opportunity to teach the 4-5 year old children at church. The sister I taught with wasn't able to come one Sunday and there wasn't a substitute in there with me. I thought things would go pretty well. I was prepared, and I really loved the children in my class. I was teaching about the importance of having a body and about Jesus casting out a legion of devils into swine and then the "whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea and perished in the waters" (Matt. 8:28-34.) I thought I had taught the lesson pretty well until the closing prayer. I asked a 5 year old boy to say the closing prayer. In the prayer he proceeded to pray and ask Heavenly Father to bless us that we would be turned into pigs. I then realized that my wonderful teaching had not been so effective.
I did learn a great deal from that experience and many more as a primary teacher. That particular day I learned the value of a sense of humor. There is a "time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:4) and in life it is important to not take ourselves too seriously. I am learning to do this...better. (I am so grateful for a husband who doesn't give up on trying to make me laugh!) This is not to say that we should make light of sacred things, but we should remember that laughing is good therapy. "A merry heart doeth good like medicine" (Proverbs 17:22.)
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said: "The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable" (Come What May, and Love It.) This is a good one when I spill something...like a gallon of gasoline in my new car. Or forgetting your pack pack for school when you were for sure going to be on time, and then you get be late for school because you go back and get it. Or if you miss the chair you were going to sit on and fall on the floor instead. It's funny. And laughing is always better than getting mad.
Elder Boyd K. Packer says: "Find happiness in ordinary things and keep your sense of humor!" (Do Not Fear) Children are the greatest blessing to have around. They keep things in perspective and lighten things up a lot. Just thinking about that prayer that day, praying to be turned into pigs, and in the say breath praying to do what is right makes me laugh. Children are a blessing and they bring us great happiness. And you know what? Doing the daily stuff of living, taking care of our family, teaching our children about Jesus Christ and His atonement, taking our children to their activities, praying together as a family, being the best mom to our children that they need me to be for them, cooking food, nurturing them, just "ordinary things" is happiness. This is "living after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27). This is how Christ wants us to live, happily! It is His way of living. And it feels great! It is called "the plan of happiness" (Alma 42:28). This I testify is the happiest way to live, because it is Christ's way.
By the way, Christ loves you so much! He taught "Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh" (Luke 6:21).
