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Happy Like Jesus: Lessons From Jesus Christ on How To Live
Author D. Kelly Ogden says, "In order to achieve eternal life, the kind of life our Father and our Savior live, you must learn to avoid evil. In fact, if you reverse evil (spell it backwards), you have 'live.'" In the new book Happy Like Jesus, readers take a closer at the Savior's personality, his character traits, his teachings, and his behavior how he acts. "We will look to him," says the author, "and try to become like him, so we may live." Chapters include "Be Happy," "Be Holy," "Be Humble," "Be Prayerful," "Be Disciplined," "Be Loving," "Be Forgiving," "Be Persevering," and more. Selling points:
• A short, inspirational gift book that is filled with stories and doctrinal insights that will enlighten and uplift.
• Features seventeen short chapters focusing on characteristics that reflect the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2011
17 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 30, 2025
This is a sweet book that focuses on the characteristics of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the importance of striving to become like Him. We should b happy, holy, spiritually minded, humble, knowledgeable, serviceable, prayerful, peaceful, fruitful, obedient, loving, forgiving, long-suffering, persevering, united with him and his Father, dedicated, disciplined, and Christlike--like Jesus. Here are some of my favorite quotes and examples:
"'Men are to be even as Jesus is' (3 Nephi 27:27, p. 2)."
"'If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God... Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins... Is not God good? Then you be good; if he is faithful, then you be faithful' (Joseph Smith, p. 2)."
"'It is the character of Jesus which has unique and endless significance' (Charles Edward Jefferson, p. 3)."
"Jesus was a happy person... 'I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being... That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person' (Heber C. Kimball, p. 5)."
"'Blessed are ye' or 'happy are ye,' he taught, if you are humble in spirit, if you mourn and are compassionate, if you are meek, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, if you are merciful and pure in heart, if you are a peacemaker, and if you are persecuted because of him. You can be happy and blessed if you develop all these characteristics of the Savior (p. 6)."
"When you are feeling down, where are your eyes? They are looking down. Where is your head? It is handing down. We have to keep looking up. The Savior is up there watching over us. If you will keep your head up and your eyes open, you will know that he is there to help (p. 9)."
"Stay with it, do what is right, and be happy--like Jesus (p. 9)."
"What is our ultimate goal? To get to the celestial kingdom? No, not just to get to a place. Rather, it is to become like Heavenly Father and our Savior, and the place will take care of itself (p. 11)."
"When temptations come--as they inevitably will--they will have no power to overcome us because we are, like our Exemplar, filled with the Spirit (p. 13)."
"'Learn to live by the Spirit' (p. 15)."
"'Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people' (Boyd K. Packer, p. 18)."
"Avoid worldliness and be spiritually minded--like Jesus (p. 18)."
"He wants us to become as he is; therefore we too must become meek and lowly in heart (p. 19)."
"'Instead of thinking of yourself primarily as someone who is seeking purification, think of yourself as someone who is trying to find out who around you needs your help' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 20)."
"'Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn't intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush' (p. 22)."
"'It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle's front
My Lord will have need of me;
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I'll go where you want me to go' (p. 24)."
"'You are going to be tested and tried to prove what you are made of. I just want you to know that if you don't get what you think you ought to get, remember 'God is the gardener here. He knows what he wants you to be.' Submit yourselves to his will' (Hugh B. Brown, p. 25)."
"Be submissive, be meek and lowly, and be humble--like Jesus (p. 25)."
"Our Savior wants us to begin right here on earth our eternal quest for knowledge, especially knowledge of God and godly things (p. 29)."
"'Search the scriptures for they are they which testify of me' (p. 31)."
"The scriptures, containing the words of God through his prophets, and the temples, where we are endowed with knowledge directly from the Father and the Son, are two of our best sources of the knowledge of God (p. 31)."
"Knowing God and his truths is absolutely urgent in order to escape the bombardment of worldliness surrounding us. The knowledge of God, including his ordinances and covenants, becomes our shield and protection against the powers of darkness (p. 32)."
"We have all been called to serve. True greatness can be measured by your service ability (p. 33)."
"Losing ourselves in the service of others is serving God (p. 34)."
"We are to give of ourselves unselfishly, constantly finding opportunities to lift and help to bear the burdens of others. Becoming a perennial giver brings happiness to the server and the served (p. 37)."
"You are called to be a leader and to be continuously serviceable--like Jesus (p. 38)."
"That is one of the grand purposes of prayer: we cannot succumb to temptation while we are engaged in sincere communication with our Father, so prayer is key to avoid ruining ourselves with sin (p. 40)."
"Keep on importuning the throne of God, and he will eventually answer (p. 41)."
"'I didn't talk--God spoke through me' (p. 44)."
"The Savior promises peace in our lives but not the kind of peace the world is desperate for--the kind of peace that is won on the negotiation table or with heavy armaments on the battlefield... Peace is not freedom from conflict or troubles but rather a calm assurance of our good standing before God (p. 47)."
"Jesus Christ is our Savior not only because he saves us from our sins and weaknesses but also because he saves us from our troubles, our anxieties, our seemingly hopeless moments (p. 49)."
"'Abide in the vine' means to remain connected--persist, endure, continue, persevere (p. 51)."
"We will never make it without him. Actually, we cannot make it without him. We cannot change without him. We are dependent on him (p. 52)."
"Fruitful means joyful (p. 52)."
"All of us can blossom where we are planted (p. 54)."
"Jesus came to do the will of his Father (p. 55)."
"If we love him, we will keep his commandments. And if we keep his commandments, we can abide in his love continuously (p. 56)."
"It is a big thing to be dependable, trustworthy, and... 'firm and steadfast' (p. 58)."
"Happiness is the object of our existence. But... that which is most important of all is the love of God (p. 61)."
"You too are called to feed the flock (p. 63)."
"You have to love them. Jesus was a Rescuer, a Savior, and a Redeemer, and he ants you to become what he is. That is your calling--to be a rescuer, a savior, and a redeemer of those in your flock (p. 63)."
"LOVE THE PEOPLE!... Love the Father and the Son... Love your companion... Love the members... Love... Heavenly Father's children... Love your mission president... Love your parents and your family... LOVE THE PEOPLE! (p. 64)"
"People matter. Following Jesus' example, you have to make people the focus of your life... The harder some people are to love, the more they need your love (p. 67)."
"How are our sins forgiven? Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in him saves us, makes us whole, and brings us peace (p. 69)."
"Can you really expect Heavenly Father to forgive you of all your sins if you are holding out and refuse to forgive others? (p. 73)"
"'To err is human; to forgive is divine... To ask for or grant forgiveness does not mean to avoid responsibility for the consequences of the actions' (p. 75)."
"Taking ANY bitterness to the grave does no one any good (p. 76)."
"Perhaps the two greatest requirements in the gospel are to repent and to forgive (p. 76)."
"Jesus is our Exemplar in all things (p. 78)."
"After affliction, sorrow, long-suffering, tribulation, and adversity, then come joy, success, blessings, and exaltation (p. 79)."
"'Every Latter-day Saint who gains a celestial glory will be tried to the very uttermost. If there is a point in our character that is weak and tender, you may depend upon it that the Lord will reach after that, and we will be tried at that spot' (George Q. Cannon, p. 81)."
"'No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and mother in heaven' (Orson F. Whitney, p. 81)."
"'How can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, 'Lord, give me experience, but not grief, nor sorrow, nor pain, nor opposition, nor betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 82)."
"'I have sought the Lord in my own extremities and learned for myself that my soul has made its greatest growth as I have been driven to my knees by adversity and affliction' (Marion G. Romney, p. 85)."
"The Lord is working hard to draw impurities out of you (p. 85)."
"The temperature necessary to refine each of us is different (p. 85)."
"Long-suffering means you are slow to anger, not easily provoked. You avoid becoming upset, negative, critical, sarcastic, and condemnatory. You don't make hasty, spur-of-the-moment comments that leave you with regrets, wishing you had not said them. You do not envy others, and you are not selfish. Long-suffering also means that you are willing to endure all things, including an infinite variety of trials (p. 86)."
"How do you acquire this divine quality of being long-suffering? The Holy Ghost instills it in you. If you have the Spirit of the Lord, you will be long-suffering... You receive the Spirit best when you are focused on other people--loving them by serving them (p. 87)."
"By studying the bitter cup, we can see how the bitterest agony for One opened the door to the sweetest ecstasy for all (p. 90)."
"We have been taught by the best examples how to persevere, so we just need to do it--like Jesus (p. 92)."
"Jesus prayed for the Apostles and for all those who believed in him through their teachings that they might be one, that they might be united (p. 93)."
"To establish Zion... we must become of one heart and one mind... And where are we more united, as one, than any other place? In the house of God (P. 94)."
"'If things are right with your companion, things will go right in your life. You will have more charity. Your relationship is forever. Grow together, and don't let either one get ahead of or behind the other spiritually' (David Galbraith, p. 96)."
"The eye is the light of the body and the window to the soul. If our eye is single, if we are dedicated to our Savior's glorious cause, then our whole body will be full of light... Whatever you consider your treasure, there is where your heart will be (p. 99)."
"He wants our hearts on him and on his work so that his work and glory become our work and glory (p. 100)."
"Jesus gave his all... There is a host of outstanding exemplars who have dedicated their all for the purposes of God (p. 102)."
"The Savior wants you to be committed and dedicated to his labor of serving and saving souls (p. 105)."
"Jesus said to the Father, 'I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.' The Father has given you work to do also, and someday you can return and report to him that you finished that work (p. 106)."
"We call Jesus the Master because he had perfect control of feelings of anger (p. 107)."
"Our object is not just to endure to the end; our object is to overcome evil feelings and tendencies now (p. 108)."
"The devil loves to separate people (p. 110)."
"One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little (p. 112)."
"Be disciplined--like Jesus (p. 114)."
"There is a lot of darkness in our world now, but the Savior's light still shines bright (p. 117)."
"Jesus has laid out a clear pattern of how to live, here and forever. He is the personification of all noble character traits. He is--so he wants us to be--happy, holy, spiritually minded, humble, knowledgeable, serviceable, prayerful, peaceful, fruitful, obedient, loving, forgiving, long-suffering, persevering, united with him and his Father, dedicated, disciplined, and Christlike. He came to show us how to live (p. 118)."
"'Men are to be even as Jesus is' (3 Nephi 27:27, p. 2)."
"'If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God... Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins... Is not God good? Then you be good; if he is faithful, then you be faithful' (Joseph Smith, p. 2)."
"'It is the character of Jesus which has unique and endless significance' (Charles Edward Jefferson, p. 3)."
"Jesus was a happy person... 'I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being... That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person' (Heber C. Kimball, p. 5)."
"'Blessed are ye' or 'happy are ye,' he taught, if you are humble in spirit, if you mourn and are compassionate, if you are meek, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, if you are merciful and pure in heart, if you are a peacemaker, and if you are persecuted because of him. You can be happy and blessed if you develop all these characteristics of the Savior (p. 6)."
"When you are feeling down, where are your eyes? They are looking down. Where is your head? It is handing down. We have to keep looking up. The Savior is up there watching over us. If you will keep your head up and your eyes open, you will know that he is there to help (p. 9)."
"Stay with it, do what is right, and be happy--like Jesus (p. 9)."
"What is our ultimate goal? To get to the celestial kingdom? No, not just to get to a place. Rather, it is to become like Heavenly Father and our Savior, and the place will take care of itself (p. 11)."
"When temptations come--as they inevitably will--they will have no power to overcome us because we are, like our Exemplar, filled with the Spirit (p. 13)."
"'Learn to live by the Spirit' (p. 15)."
"'Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people' (Boyd K. Packer, p. 18)."
"Avoid worldliness and be spiritually minded--like Jesus (p. 18)."
"He wants us to become as he is; therefore we too must become meek and lowly in heart (p. 19)."
"'Instead of thinking of yourself primarily as someone who is seeking purification, think of yourself as someone who is trying to find out who around you needs your help' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 20)."
"'Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn't intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush' (p. 22)."
"'It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle's front
My Lord will have need of me;
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I'll go where you want me to go' (p. 24)."
"'You are going to be tested and tried to prove what you are made of. I just want you to know that if you don't get what you think you ought to get, remember 'God is the gardener here. He knows what he wants you to be.' Submit yourselves to his will' (Hugh B. Brown, p. 25)."
"Be submissive, be meek and lowly, and be humble--like Jesus (p. 25)."
"Our Savior wants us to begin right here on earth our eternal quest for knowledge, especially knowledge of God and godly things (p. 29)."
"'Search the scriptures for they are they which testify of me' (p. 31)."
"The scriptures, containing the words of God through his prophets, and the temples, where we are endowed with knowledge directly from the Father and the Son, are two of our best sources of the knowledge of God (p. 31)."
"Knowing God and his truths is absolutely urgent in order to escape the bombardment of worldliness surrounding us. The knowledge of God, including his ordinances and covenants, becomes our shield and protection against the powers of darkness (p. 32)."
"We have all been called to serve. True greatness can be measured by your service ability (p. 33)."
"Losing ourselves in the service of others is serving God (p. 34)."
"We are to give of ourselves unselfishly, constantly finding opportunities to lift and help to bear the burdens of others. Becoming a perennial giver brings happiness to the server and the served (p. 37)."
"You are called to be a leader and to be continuously serviceable--like Jesus (p. 38)."
"That is one of the grand purposes of prayer: we cannot succumb to temptation while we are engaged in sincere communication with our Father, so prayer is key to avoid ruining ourselves with sin (p. 40)."
"Keep on importuning the throne of God, and he will eventually answer (p. 41)."
"'I didn't talk--God spoke through me' (p. 44)."
"The Savior promises peace in our lives but not the kind of peace the world is desperate for--the kind of peace that is won on the negotiation table or with heavy armaments on the battlefield... Peace is not freedom from conflict or troubles but rather a calm assurance of our good standing before God (p. 47)."
"Jesus Christ is our Savior not only because he saves us from our sins and weaknesses but also because he saves us from our troubles, our anxieties, our seemingly hopeless moments (p. 49)."
"'Abide in the vine' means to remain connected--persist, endure, continue, persevere (p. 51)."
"We will never make it without him. Actually, we cannot make it without him. We cannot change without him. We are dependent on him (p. 52)."
"Fruitful means joyful (p. 52)."
"All of us can blossom where we are planted (p. 54)."
"Jesus came to do the will of his Father (p. 55)."
"If we love him, we will keep his commandments. And if we keep his commandments, we can abide in his love continuously (p. 56)."
"It is a big thing to be dependable, trustworthy, and... 'firm and steadfast' (p. 58)."
"Happiness is the object of our existence. But... that which is most important of all is the love of God (p. 61)."
"You too are called to feed the flock (p. 63)."
"You have to love them. Jesus was a Rescuer, a Savior, and a Redeemer, and he ants you to become what he is. That is your calling--to be a rescuer, a savior, and a redeemer of those in your flock (p. 63)."
"LOVE THE PEOPLE!... Love the Father and the Son... Love your companion... Love the members... Love... Heavenly Father's children... Love your mission president... Love your parents and your family... LOVE THE PEOPLE! (p. 64)"
"People matter. Following Jesus' example, you have to make people the focus of your life... The harder some people are to love, the more they need your love (p. 67)."
"How are our sins forgiven? Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in him saves us, makes us whole, and brings us peace (p. 69)."
"Can you really expect Heavenly Father to forgive you of all your sins if you are holding out and refuse to forgive others? (p. 73)"
"'To err is human; to forgive is divine... To ask for or grant forgiveness does not mean to avoid responsibility for the consequences of the actions' (p. 75)."
"Taking ANY bitterness to the grave does no one any good (p. 76)."
"Perhaps the two greatest requirements in the gospel are to repent and to forgive (p. 76)."
"Jesus is our Exemplar in all things (p. 78)."
"After affliction, sorrow, long-suffering, tribulation, and adversity, then come joy, success, blessings, and exaltation (p. 79)."
"'Every Latter-day Saint who gains a celestial glory will be tried to the very uttermost. If there is a point in our character that is weak and tender, you may depend upon it that the Lord will reach after that, and we will be tried at that spot' (George Q. Cannon, p. 81)."
"'No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and mother in heaven' (Orson F. Whitney, p. 81)."
"'How can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, 'Lord, give me experience, but not grief, nor sorrow, nor pain, nor opposition, nor betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 82)."
"'I have sought the Lord in my own extremities and learned for myself that my soul has made its greatest growth as I have been driven to my knees by adversity and affliction' (Marion G. Romney, p. 85)."
"The Lord is working hard to draw impurities out of you (p. 85)."
"The temperature necessary to refine each of us is different (p. 85)."
"Long-suffering means you are slow to anger, not easily provoked. You avoid becoming upset, negative, critical, sarcastic, and condemnatory. You don't make hasty, spur-of-the-moment comments that leave you with regrets, wishing you had not said them. You do not envy others, and you are not selfish. Long-suffering also means that you are willing to endure all things, including an infinite variety of trials (p. 86)."
"How do you acquire this divine quality of being long-suffering? The Holy Ghost instills it in you. If you have the Spirit of the Lord, you will be long-suffering... You receive the Spirit best when you are focused on other people--loving them by serving them (p. 87)."
"By studying the bitter cup, we can see how the bitterest agony for One opened the door to the sweetest ecstasy for all (p. 90)."
"We have been taught by the best examples how to persevere, so we just need to do it--like Jesus (p. 92)."
"Jesus prayed for the Apostles and for all those who believed in him through their teachings that they might be one, that they might be united (p. 93)."
"To establish Zion... we must become of one heart and one mind... And where are we more united, as one, than any other place? In the house of God (P. 94)."
"'If things are right with your companion, things will go right in your life. You will have more charity. Your relationship is forever. Grow together, and don't let either one get ahead of or behind the other spiritually' (David Galbraith, p. 96)."
"The eye is the light of the body and the window to the soul. If our eye is single, if we are dedicated to our Savior's glorious cause, then our whole body will be full of light... Whatever you consider your treasure, there is where your heart will be (p. 99)."
"He wants our hearts on him and on his work so that his work and glory become our work and glory (p. 100)."
"Jesus gave his all... There is a host of outstanding exemplars who have dedicated their all for the purposes of God (p. 102)."
"The Savior wants you to be committed and dedicated to his labor of serving and saving souls (p. 105)."
"Jesus said to the Father, 'I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.' The Father has given you work to do also, and someday you can return and report to him that you finished that work (p. 106)."
"We call Jesus the Master because he had perfect control of feelings of anger (p. 107)."
"Our object is not just to endure to the end; our object is to overcome evil feelings and tendencies now (p. 108)."
"The devil loves to separate people (p. 110)."
"One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little (p. 112)."
"Be disciplined--like Jesus (p. 114)."
"There is a lot of darkness in our world now, but the Savior's light still shines bright (p. 117)."
"Jesus has laid out a clear pattern of how to live, here and forever. He is the personification of all noble character traits. He is--so he wants us to be--happy, holy, spiritually minded, humble, knowledgeable, serviceable, prayerful, peaceful, fruitful, obedient, loving, forgiving, long-suffering, persevering, united with him and his Father, dedicated, disciplined, and Christlike. He came to show us how to live (p. 118)."
May 9, 2025
I think that anyone who wants to lead a more Christlike life should read this book. I learned so much about my Savior and how to love more like Him. The things taught in this book are amazing and have inspired me to be more diligent in my discipleship. 100/10- will always recommend to anyone!!!
January 14, 2012
When I saw this book the first time I did not like the cover and refused to buy it. I never thought Jesus could be that happy at his baptism, and neither John. The image I have of John the Baptist is that of a wild guy and when he sees Jesus coming to be baptized I see a sober guy almost afraid of who is coming. Christ being Christ I see as more sober than him because I don't sees scripture saying that Jesus smiled, or laughed, or was excited in any way (except when he was using the whip on evil men at the temple and turning their tables.) So I thought someone went happy crazy and left the store.
Then months later I came back and there it was the book again. I wanted something to cheer me up. I picked up the book with the exaggerated cover and asked the lady at Deseret Book if I could bring the book back if I strongly disagreed with it. She was nice and did not laugh but agreed and answered to my question whether he was going to try to make me believe that the Man of Sorrows was a happy fellow that the author's focus was to give us insights on how to live happy as he thought Jesus was. Hmmm... I paid for my copy and left.
I was on a date with my wife and we had dinner right after that. I could not stop taking a look at the first pages. Then I shared with her over dinner that what he said in the beginning made sense and I could see how Jesus could have been a happy guy. Now that I finished the book I can tell that it is quite good. I highlighted many phrases from that book as pure treasures of understanding and sound tips for true happiness based on the restored gospel's message of happiness. I like it very much and can say that now this book is one of my best friends. I brought it with me to a business trip with other books to read when I need to feel good. Thanks.
Then months later I came back and there it was the book again. I wanted something to cheer me up. I picked up the book with the exaggerated cover and asked the lady at Deseret Book if I could bring the book back if I strongly disagreed with it. She was nice and did not laugh but agreed and answered to my question whether he was going to try to make me believe that the Man of Sorrows was a happy fellow that the author's focus was to give us insights on how to live happy as he thought Jesus was. Hmmm... I paid for my copy and left.
I was on a date with my wife and we had dinner right after that. I could not stop taking a look at the first pages. Then I shared with her over dinner that what he said in the beginning made sense and I could see how Jesus could have been a happy guy. Now that I finished the book I can tell that it is quite good. I highlighted many phrases from that book as pure treasures of understanding and sound tips for true happiness based on the restored gospel's message of happiness. I like it very much and can say that now this book is one of my best friends. I brought it with me to a business trip with other books to read when I need to feel good. Thanks.
February 2, 2012
I can attest that Dr. Ogden is a happy man! I loved this book and it seemed like there was something I wanted to write down from nearly every page. It was a great mix of intellectual/spiritual.
May 28, 2021
Some of my favorite quotes from this book:
"If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God. . . Search in your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins . . . Is not God good? Then you be good; if he is faithful, then you be faithful."
-Joseph Smith Jr.
"Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people."
-Boyd K. Packer
"The magnitude of the promise is incomprehensible and the unevenness of the offer staggering: everything we possess in exchange for everything God possesses."
-Andrew Skinner
"Every Latter-day Saint who gains a celestial Glory will be tried to the very uttermost. If there is a point in our character that is weak and tender, depend upon it that the Lord will reach after that, and we will be tried at that spot, for the Lord will test us to the upmost before we can get through and receive that glory and exaltation which he has in store for us as a people."
-George Q. Cannon
"If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God. . . Search in your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins . . . Is not God good? Then you be good; if he is faithful, then you be faithful."
-Joseph Smith Jr.
"Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people."
-Boyd K. Packer
"The magnitude of the promise is incomprehensible and the unevenness of the offer staggering: everything we possess in exchange for everything God possesses."
-Andrew Skinner
"Every Latter-day Saint who gains a celestial Glory will be tried to the very uttermost. If there is a point in our character that is weak and tender, depend upon it that the Lord will reach after that, and we will be tried at that spot, for the Lord will test us to the upmost before we can get through and receive that glory and exaltation which he has in store for us as a people."
-George Q. Cannon
November 6, 2017
This is a short devotional book. It doesn't really add anything new and I'm sure many other books fit the same purpose, but it was pretty good for what it was. I'm not sure I'd recommend it, but I wouldn't not recommend it either.
May 20, 2019
Perfectly serviceable little devotional book. It included some stories and some poems that I hadn’t heard before, but no new doctrinal insights or anything. But overall a very pleasant, feel-good and do-better kind of read.
May 23, 2019
Trying to be like Jesus is a life-long pursuit, but as we draw nearer and nearer to Him we begin to acquire His attributes. This little book provides a wonderful summary of those attributes and inspires me to seek the Lord while he may be found.
December 18, 2022
A short read— nothing new, but some good reminders.
May 28, 2011
I took so many notes from this book.... I think I just need to buy my own copy and highlight most of it. I also had my scriptures out and got some notes written near and marked many scriptures. This book really was wonderful! I learned and was reminded of so many important things to make me happy like Jesus. Brother Ogden gives us 18 things that we can follow the Example we've been given by Christ and become more like Christ. He puts so many references and stories and quotes in there that it really makes it easy for me to see that I'm on the right path to becoming more like Christ.
Some of my favorite parts....
When talking about being dedicated to building up the Kingdom, He answered the issue of Feeling like you are not doing your part because you are working or raising a family.. he says "to that I say that any honorable work you are doing to feed and clothe and educate your family and raise up righteous children unto the Lord IS the Lord's work.
In the chapter Be Disciplined, he writes that "Thou shalt not idle away thy time". Now, TV, video games, internet, sports, etc.. are not wrong in and of themselves (unless you are watching things or doing things on the internet that are salacious or pornographic). But we sometimes need these things to rest or unwind. But there must be a balance. example: watching TV hour after hour, night after night..That is when you are idling away your time. GREAT REMINDER!!
Anyways, those were just 2 ways this book has helped me to become more "Happy Like Jesus".
Some of my favorite parts....
When talking about being dedicated to building up the Kingdom, He answered the issue of Feeling like you are not doing your part because you are working or raising a family.. he says "to that I say that any honorable work you are doing to feed and clothe and educate your family and raise up righteous children unto the Lord IS the Lord's work.
In the chapter Be Disciplined, he writes that "Thou shalt not idle away thy time". Now, TV, video games, internet, sports, etc.. are not wrong in and of themselves (unless you are watching things or doing things on the internet that are salacious or pornographic). But we sometimes need these things to rest or unwind. But there must be a balance. example: watching TV hour after hour, night after night..That is when you are idling away your time. GREAT REMINDER!!
Anyways, those were just 2 ways this book has helped me to become more "Happy Like Jesus".
January 22, 2016
In eighteen brief chapters, Ogden provides simple lessons about how to live the life that Jesus wants you to live and develop Christ-like characteristics. Each chapter references scriptures about the Savior's life and discusses how, as we develop these characteristics, we can live a better life.
This is a short book, but it's jam-packed with good stuff. I really like the writing style, as well as the stories and advice. I didn't feel like it necessarily presented any earth-shattering ideas, but the way that the ideas were organized and presented made me think about things in a different way. I highly enjoyed it.
This is a short book, but it's jam-packed with good stuff. I really like the writing style, as well as the stories and advice. I didn't feel like it necessarily presented any earth-shattering ideas, but the way that the ideas were organized and presented made me think about things in a different way. I highly enjoyed it.
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June 14, 2011I love this quote from the book...
The only measure of true greatness is how close a man can become like Jesus. That man is greatest who is most like Christ, and those who love him most will be most like him.
~President Ezra Taft Benson~
This is a great book that I plan to use for FHE! I love how simple but profound the messages are. Come enter to win a copy of it here: http://bookgiveaways.blogspot.com/
The only measure of true greatness is how close a man can become like Jesus. That man is greatest who is most like Christ, and those who love him most will be most like him.
~President Ezra Taft Benson~
This is a great book that I plan to use for FHE! I love how simple but profound the messages are. Come enter to win a copy of it here: http://bookgiveaways.blogspot.com/
October 9, 2011
Sometimes I think my mother has taken it upon herself to personally keep Deseret Book in business. She is always giving me new books from Deseret Book - this one included. I didn't love the tone of Happy Like Jesus - I felt like someone was telling me: "Buck up and act happy you idiot!" However, it did have some great quotes in it - I especially liked a poem the author included by Mother Theresa.
September 4, 2013
3.8 stars! I have been waiting to read this for a long time! I am happy to say that it was a good happy feeling book. It breaks down different characteristics that will make us as humans more happy! Hence, Happy Like Jesus! The thing is I usually find something that really pops out and strikes me in these books, like a specific chapter or quote, but not this one. This was just an all over good but apparently just a tad non-striking! :D
May 12, 2016
This book was full of short chapters each talking about a different attribute of Christ and how we can work to develop those characteristics in ourselves. It used a lot of scripture references to help the reader understand Christ's traits, and taught why we need to become like the Savior. It wasn't anything uniquely profound, but it was full of good reminders and inspiration to become a better, more Christlike person.
December 8, 2011
I purchased this book for several reasons. What really caught my eye was the cover. I have always envisioned Jesus as a happy and smiling person. I love this cover because it shows just that. This is a great book, with a lot of insight, stories and scriptures. Wonderful read!
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June 7, 2013
Every once in a while you run across a book that "speaks to you". This was one of those books for me. A reminder of many things I already know, but can or should be doing. 17 short chapters and I literally studied and cross references each one, a day at a time. Now if I can just apply the teachings.
June 23, 2013
I didn't want to like it because the title seemed too cheesy for me. However, I love Ogden's other books so I decided to give it a chance. I'm so glad I did because I love it. The margins are full of notes and many passages are highlighted or underlined. For me, at least, that's the sign of a really great read.
December 29, 2013
This book is clear and easy to read. I recommend it as a refresher to read at the end of the year, prior to setting goals. It reminds you of the qualities of Christ-like living and offers clear application.
July 20, 2012
This is a book I definitely need for my collection. One that should be read and read often--whether you read it cover to cover or just refer back to specific chapters. It made me reflect a lot on myself and my life--where I am now and where I'd like to be. Great book.
February 22, 2014
A great inspirational book. Well written and easy and enjoyable to read. what a goal--to be like Jesus, wouldn't the world be a happier place for all if He was everyone's super hero and role model which is as it should be!
May 26, 2011
This book will remind you of President Hincley's "Be's" but there are 18 in all. What a great book to remind us of some of the things we should be doing.
July 7, 2011
Easy, quick read.
July 18, 2011
Great book to help remind you to put your life in perspective. Really enjoyed it - its one I'll try to re-read every year. Almost impossible to get the full benefit after only one read.
October 14, 2011
A good review of the things we already know about how to be happy.
October 1, 2011
It was a nice, light read. Nothing extremely profound or memorable, but a 'feel good' book. Didn't love the author's writing style a lot of the time, but he had some good thoughts.
December 23, 2011
The description of the book sounds generic but the book itself is quite brilliant. Very well written and very uplifting.
January 9, 2012
A great book! I learn something new each time I have read and re-read.
January 12, 2012
enjoyable reading. nothing surprising but good thoughts. easy could be used for FHE for a family of older kids or just couples.
August 8, 2012
Amazing. Don't we all want to be happy? Why not learn from the Master of the universe!
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