It came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.
If what Nephi says is true, that the Nephites lived after the manner of happiness, would it therefore be safe to assume the Lamanites lived after the manner of sorrow?
In Helaman 4:22 we are told there were Nephites who ignored God's words, choosing to go against His commandments, "and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites."
Ammon explained that, before he and his brethren brought them the joyful news of the gospel, "the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss" (Alma 26:3). Alma explained to his son Corianton, "behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10).
So we know that wickedness will not bring us lasting happiness, but how do we go about living after the manner of happiness? And why does Nephi believe he lived in a happy manner? After all, he had been threatened with death by his brothers (see 1 Nephi 16:37), had nearly starved (see 1 Nephi 16:19), and nearly drowned at sea (1 Nephi 18:13), and felt sorrow over his own sins (see 2 Nephi 4:26).
Nephi understood, even in all of his difficulties, that God's plan for him was a plan of happiness. In spite of the numerous unfair things to happen to him, he knew that Christ's atonement would bring him happiness even in the worst of circumstances.
President David O. McKay said the principal reason the Church was organized was "to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today.... Some of us look forward to a time in the future - salvation and exaltation in the world to come - but today is part of eternity" (as quoted by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf).
Happiness can be yours now. You do not have to wait until after death to find true joy. Nephiknew the key to happiness was to be found through the Atonement. In his darkest hour, Nephiwrote: "Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.... O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever" (2 Nephi4:28, 34).
While we may not know the reason for the trials we face, God does. Everything we face in life was meant to help us find happiness - even our trials. We are told that "men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). This is possible, but it is entirely up to us. Many people choose to go through life focusing on what all has gone wrong and how others have wronged them.
When you are having a bad day, you can still choose to be happy. You can put on a smile, you can sing a happy song. You may not be able to control your feelings, but you can control the way you act. Your actions, in turn, can impact how you feel. Thus, you can choose to be happy.
While attending Brigham Young University, I met a fellow student who said, on a daily basis: "Life is good and we are blessed." He was incredibly happy because he chose to be. He allowed the atonement to work in his life to overcome any sorrows and sins.
Happiness is not found in the fleeting fun of a video game, a new CD, a new car, or any other worldly pleasure. Meaningful happiness comes through keeping the commandments of God.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, "If there is any message that runs through all of the Book of Mormon, it is this great, transcendent message - that when the people lived in righteousness, they were happy and they were prospered; and when they fell into wickedness, they were miserable, they were at war, they were in poverty, they were in trouble."
We do not have to learn from our own experiences only. We must learn from those who have gone before. We can see that sin brought sorrow to those in the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible. This lesson is as applicable today as it was then. The only way to find lasting happiness is through following the ways of the Lord.
Happiness comes from keeping God's commandments. Happiness also comes from serving others. When you serve others and see the happiness it brings to them, you cannot help but to be happy yourself - happiness is incredibly contagious.
Happiness can also be found in creating. Nephi, prior to summarizing that his people were living after the manner of happiness, explained that he had taught them "to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores" (2 Nephi 5:15).
Think of the last thing you accomplished. Did you not feel joy after doing so? When we are creating we are learning. When we are creating we are working. Working and learning bring us everlasting joy.
Elder Marlin K. Jensen stated, "I think it is a regrettable sign of our times that most family activities today take place in a recreational rather than a work setting. I'm grateful I was able to work alongside my grandparents and parents, and in turn am able to work with our sons and daughters."
If you are to ever find lasting happiness, do not lounge around in your free time. Instead, take advantage of the time to learn a new skill - a new sport, a new hobby, a new language - anything! I have an older brother who designs video games in his spare time. The challenge stimulates his mind as he problem solves and he finds joys as he succeeds in their creation. This hobby has led him to a career as a teacher at Brigham Young University - Hawaii.
I recently took up the hobby of stop-motion animation. While I'm not very good at it, but I find joy in it because it stimulates my mind as I am working and learning. The process of creating bring me joy. The video below is a sample of my work. It is a parody of the story of Ammon, found in Alma 17 and 18. I realize it is not accurate, but that is why is it called a parody!
You do not have to choose the same hobby as me - whatever you choose to do is up to you. Just be sure it is helping you to learn, create, and stay active mentally and physically (which is really what work is all about).
Goals for this week:
- Identify any sins which are dragging you down. Work to rid your life of them. Seek the help of parents or church leaders to help you overcome them, if necessary.
- Learn a new hobby or skill.
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