MANNER OF HAPPINESS

 

“They (those in the great and spacious building of Lehi’s dream) look happy and free, but don’t mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. Don’t mistake lack of self-control for freedom. Complete freedom without appropriate restraint makes us slaves to our appetites.

Don’t envy a lesser and lower life….the people in that building have absolutely nothing to offer except instant, short-term gratification inescapably connected to long-term sorrow and suffering. The commandments you observe were not given by a dis-passionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by a loving Father in Heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth as well as in the hereafter.”

-          Bishop Glen L. Pace, Ensign November 1987, p 39

Some years ago I heard a mother in the Church say she just wanted her teenage son to come out of the closet so he can be ‘happy’. That son eventually did come out of the closet but to this day he is not happy. He is an alcoholic with a ruined liver who was told by the medical profession he will not live a long life. It always amazes me how intent some people are to be happy in this life.

The greatest outline of mortal happiness can be found in 2 Nephi Chapter 5. This was the early  period of time in ancient America when Nephi separated himself and his followers from his brothers who sought to take away his life (v 4).

The story begins with Nephi following the Lord’s warning to alienate themselves from those seeking their destruction and thereafter following the path to spiritual prosperity. Nephi begins his account of their new life on the American continent with the most significant pattern for ‘mortal happiness’: “And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statues, and the commandments of the Lord in all things….” (v 10).

Thereafter the story unfolds with blessings of physical abundance of food (v 11); possession of scriptures (v12); building of a temple (v 16); industry of the people ( v 17); and then comes: “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.” (v 27).

Happiness in this life is a huge subject to tackle. I get it, this life is hard and it is hard for everyone, even those in the Church who are being obedient. I guess the importance lies in your definition of happiness and which happiness you want. Notice that Nephi said "manner" of happiness......insinuating it's not a permanent, complete and iron clad happiness. This kind of happiness can only be found in the eternal presence of God. 

In this life of lack of permanency, the only real 'sense' of happiness comes from being close to God. Nephi accentuates this truth. Whereas Nephi and his people had achieved that happiness, his brothers and their followers were cut off from the presence of the Lord (v 20). Being cut off from God and His influence would have to be the most detrimental and miserable state of being.

When I think of living after ‘the manner of happiness’ I think of Zion. I think this is why Nephi called it so because His people were one and united in obedience and striving for the same outcome. Being in a community such as Zion alienates you from worldly values of destruction and unites you with people who are on the same path of righteousness, with the same goals and the love of God which binds you together. I think this is what Nephi identified as happiness. This is what should be our goal as we prepare ourselves for the return of our God.

He will come and reveal Himself to those who love Him and then we will know what true happiness is…..it is worth waiting for and striving for.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Love and Faithfulness by Chris Brazelton)