Life has more than one meaning. In most cases, we think of human life as breathing and a heartbeat. Christ often talked about a different kind of life--a spiritual life. Those who lack this type of life are not necessarily dead or dying physically, but they lack contentment, lack a sense of fulfillment, of purpose, of power, of destiny, of virtue. When we continually seek after and completely give ourselves over to Christ, we live in a state of continual joy, peace, love, and fulfillment. Christ came that we might have such life, and that we might have it more abundantly. I interpret this to mean, deeper joy, love, and fulfillment as we increasingly live as He did. If we prove that we are willing to do all things He asks us, we will be awarded with life that is so deep in its richness, it can be referred to as eternal life.
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God is the happiest person I know. His happiness is constant, deep, and lasting. It doesn't fade with time, doesn't seek for the next thrill, takes no pleasure out from others' suffering, but persists even during trials.
Why is God so happy? It is because He has learned how to be happy, and he lives what he knows. What does He do with His time? He says he spends it "bring[ing] to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." He is always serving His children. He is always nurturing, looking after, teaching, and performing miracles for His children. He is the very embodiment of love. If I want to be happy like God, I need to become like God is--think what He thinks, work like He works, do what He does. What work in this life most closely emulates the work of God? Motherhood. Motherhood is nurturing, caring for, teaching, and serving. Motherhood is helping children come step by step closer to the greatest good they can be. Motherhood is love. Motherhood is happiness. Some women teach that the greatest satisfaction for women comes from rejecting motherhood for alternatives. Others teach that killing unborn children is better than being an untimely mother. These women do not know God. They may know of Him and be acquainted with His teachings, but they do not know Him. Of all the possible titles that can be obtained in this life, the most honorable and joyful title a woman can receive is the heavenly calling of "mom." No other position or accomplishment will bring more joy, more personal progression, more character, or more satisfaction. Motherhood is emulating God. Happiness is the ultimate motivation for everything a person does. But real happiness can only be achieved through salvation and eternal progression. These constitute the only method of lasting joy.
We can pursue many other avenues, such as business ventures, sports, political power, academic prestige, accumulation of wealth, or worldly fame. All these seem to bring the promise of happiness, but in truth, the pleasure they bring are only temporary. Since happiness can only be achieved in one way, the commandments given by our Father in Heaven are not designed to be oppressive or controlling. Rather, they are inspired by pure charity. Divine commandments are really guidelines to happiness--the only guidelines to full, lasting, eternal joy. Faith is the driver of our actions. Beliefs that a particular outcome will result from our actions motivate us to action. There are many outcomes we seek, but all of them ultimately boil down to our desire for happiness. We may seek for happiness in money, thrill, service, or making others miserable. We may think happiness comes from self-pity, self-serving actions, or power. Though we may believe happiness will come from these various sources, it often does not, and even resulting pleasure is fleeting, leaving us unsatisfied.
God created this world, provided a Savior for us, gives us commandments and guides, even allows us to experience hardships for the express purpose of helping us find happiness. The entire Gospel is a blueprint for obtaining lasting happiness. Our desire for happiness ultimately drives all our actions. There are many who, in spite of failing to find happiness is wealth, power, and prestige, continue to believe that a little bit more of those things will bring the happiness they seek. But the road to true happiness is strait and narrow--if we believe strongly enough to follow that path, true, lasting, continual joy will be our reward. Such joy cannot be obtained in any other way. Part of the great Plan of God involves allowing us to be tempted by the devil. Like a corrupt politician, Satan tells us that certain actions will produce the opposite effect of what will really happen. In every temptation he tells us that bad behavior will bring lasting satisfaction and happiness.
In truth, sin only brings fleeting pleasure. Like an addiction, we might try to sin more and more to try and regain that pleasure over and over. Initially, guilt accompanies sinful behavior. If we insist on continuing the sinful behavior we have to learn to either harden ourselves against the guilt or constantly feel the burden of guilt. Over time, even the temporary pleasure of sin fades, yet we may continue the sin simply because it has become part of our character. Sin never fully satisfies. It never brings lasting happiness. It never leaves us with a feeling of contentment. When Heavenly Father gives us commandments and instructions, they are not meant as restrictions to keep us from enjoying ourselves. In fact they keep us from such misery. Commandments and instructions from God are priceless because they are really guidelines on how to achieve lasting happiness. God has achieved lasting joy, consistent contentment, constant happiness. As a loving Father, He is trying to help us find the same in our own lives. He will not force it on us--real happiness can never be forced--but He will encourage and inspire, teach and persuade. Am I always happy? Do I live in constant joy? If I am willing, God will show me how to change so that I may be more and more content and happy. He will never quit helping me until I reach the state of perfect joy that He has attained. His guidelines may not always be easy, but they will always be easier than living in sin, and they will always lead to greater life enjoyment. What is heaven like? If one doesn't know the answer to this question, it is easy to see why they wouldn't be motivated to work toward getting there. Some think that in heaven we do nothing but sing praises to God for eternity. While there is merit in that thought, it isn't the full description. Faith means putting our trust in God. But to what end are we trusting in Him? Some who have trusted in God have been delivered from harm, while others have suffered in cruel ways. What does God guarantee if we trust in Him? On the surface it seems as though it would be easier to act if we had a pure knowledge of the consequences of every action. We lived with God before we were born. We loved Him and wanted to become like He is--full of love, wisdom, and power for good. Our Father offered us all that He has, if we would learn to become like He is. We chose to come to earth to help us in this process. Here we can learn and grow. Away from the direct presence of our Father, our choices become more independent. Repeatedly the Lord commands us to be of good cheer. A cheerful countenance is developed from the inside out. The more we choose to live after the manner of happiness, the more our countenance reflects that internal joy. A cheerful countenance radiates to those around us, helping others share in that joy. |
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