Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 255; “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received.”
Alma 41:10; “Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.”
Philippians 4:7-8; “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
As we saw yesterday our existence on earth is for having a covenant relationship with our Lord. The Bible never teaches that we’re here for God to make us happy or that happiness is the object of our existence. We’re sinners. We were born with a sin nature. As long as there’s sin in this world and our hearts have that sin nature there will be disappointments, death and well, sin.
Pay close attention to the verse in their gospel from Alma. This false prophet told the people they shouldn’t expect to find happiness just because there’s been restoration.
I find this odd considering the leaders’ teachings that happiness is the object of their existence!
I also find it odd when the Bible tells us the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. – Galatians 5:22. So why wouldn’t there be happiness if we’re in the Lord?
As humans we’re in the world, not of it. When we’re in Christ – John 15:7 – our total focus and life is built upon Him and His desire for us and because of His supernatural power in us He provides that peace and actually changes our demeanor. I’m certainly not the person I once was and it’s not just because I’ve aged!
My thinking is different; I’m more tolerant and patient. I’m more loving to others and I spend more time in His word than I did as a Mormon. He’s the One that changed me, not me.
Will there still be sadness and death? Absolutely. Will there be times when we don’t get the answers to the questions we have? Sure there will be. The results are different because He made it that way, not us.
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