To Be Happy

By: Brother Phil Athens
phillip.athens@arifjan.arcent.army.mil

Life makes it easy to forget. Life makes it easy to forget God. Life also makes it difficult to remember our purpose here. Sure, we have the responsibility to obey the prophet and the commandments and our parents. Sure we have to pay tithing and fast and go to church and do our home and visiting teaching but even all of those things sometimes get us so caught up that we forget the simplest purpose for this simple existence.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:25)

A kind man and father, a very prophet of the Lord taught this simple truth to those he loved most; his family, namely his children. In fact, this is one of the last things that he taught them before he died. He loved his children and he didn’t need his prophetic vision to see that even his children were getting so caught up in the day to day, as we do, that they needed to know that the simplest answer to their very existence was to be happy.

Some of his kids did not listen too well. Not long after this message was given, Lehi died and his family split up – one side to follow the admonitions of the Lord and the other to follow the demands of their carnal natures. We learn that a few simple things were done by the spiritual group that led them to a happy life. Nephi became the prophet of the people after the death of his father. The following scriptures show us what he did that made it possible for them to live “…after the manner of happiness.” (2 Nephi 5:27)

6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:6)

Firstly, Nephi knew that being surrounded by family makes you happy. He decided to take them along.

26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:26)

10 And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the Law of Moses.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:10)

Secondly, Nephi organized the church.

12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:12)
Thirdly, Nephi had brought the scriptures. He knew that if they would but follow the Liahona and the words of the prophets, their lives might be hard, but ultimately, happy.

16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:16)

The forth important thing that he did was to build a temple without which they could not have repented of their sins through sacrifice. True and proper repentance and temple worship bring great happiness.

17 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:17)

The last thing that Nephi did was to teach his people to work. Funny as it may sound, few things bring the kind of satisfaction and joy that a good, hard honest days work can provide.

And there it is. As we again read then in verse 27:

27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:27)

This is a recipe that is easy to follow and simple in its application. I testify that happiness set as a goal is attainable and truly desired for us by our Heavenly Father. He just wants us to be happy. I testify that if we do the things outlined here, we will find lasting joy and happiness that will conquer all manner of sorrow and tribulation, no matter how intense or severe. We shall know the pain, but it will only make our joy greater and more profound. God lives and loves us and that we feel of that love and obtain joy and happiness is his desire and my hope and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


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