To Be Happy

[Traveler]

A commandment to be happy? I don't think so. I would love to see that one. We are here to learn, to experience, to gain knowledge; the Lord has blessed us with so very much.

What we do with what He gives us truly determines our happiness.

King Benjamin, in his address said this:

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and a happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." [Mosiah 2:41]

Nowhere could I find it to be a "commandment". Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ both want for us eternal happiness. They want us to be happy. And they have both taught us the way to find happiness.

Sorry...I totally disagree with it being a commandment. Please show a reference...

Thanks.

Letrell

Two questions, sort of related:

What is a commandment from G-d?

Is there any difference between a command from G-d and advice from G-d?

The Traveler

[ElectofGod]

Hmmm, I can't find it now. maybe it was a different talk. Meantime here is a few quotes

Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher’s Manual Lesson 39: Be of Good Cheer

I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney once said: “The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.” 6 We should honor the Savior’s declaration to “be of good cheer.” 7 (Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other!) Speak hopefully. Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. As someone once said, “Even in the golden age of civilization someone undoubtedly grumbled that everything looked too yellow.” (Tongue of angels, Holland

Meant to Have Joy

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches that “sadness, disappointment, and severe challenges are events in life, not life itself. . . . They should not be allowed to become the confining center of everything you do.” With the reminder that the Lord told His prophet Lehi that “men are that they might have joy,” Elder Scott says, “[The Lord’s] intent is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to have joy here on earth.” (here)

and why not?

(1/31/99)

"Brothers and sisters, these are our days. This is our time on earth!... And in these days, being of good cheer is part of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus." — Neal A. Maxwell, Be Of Good Cheer, General Conference, October 1982

(2/1/99)

"Every Latter-day Saint knows that to be found in the discharge of his duty makes him a happy man, and when he is not in the discharge of his duty there is an uneasiness about him which makes him feel that something is wrong." — Matthias F. Cowley, General Conference Reports, April 1902, p. 39

(2/2/99)

"Our strength and our peace and our happiness are in the Lord. In this world of trial and affliction, we have need of the comforting and qualifying assurances that come with faith in God and repentance and service to his cause. If we will acknowledge him, be thankful, serve him, love his children, and accept the responsibilities of being truly Christian, we will be happy, notwithstanding problems or troubles." — Marion D. Hanks, Joy Through Christ, General Conference, April 1972

(2/3/99)

"No trial is joyous for the present but grievous to be borne; but trials yield their blessings, when patiently endured." — John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.166-7

(2/4/99)

"Let us not take the negative side of life. Very little good has been really accomplished by men who took that attitude. It is the men who assume the positive attitude in life that accomplish worthwhile things." — Don B. Colton, Conference Report, October 1933, p.55

(10/12/00)

"Christ and His angels and prophets forever labor to buoy up our spirits, steady our nerves, calm our hearts, and send us forth with renewed strength and resolute hope. They wish all to know that 'if God be for us, who can be against us?' In the world we shall have tribulation, but we are to be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. Through His suffering and His obedience He has earned and rightly bears the crown of 'Prince of Peace.'" — "The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom", Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, General Conference, October 1996

(10/13/00)

"We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression. As President Benson said, 'Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic' ('Do Not Despair,' Ensign, Oct. 1986, p. 2). Where sin is the cause of unhappiness, we need to repent and return to a righteous life because 'wickedness never was happiness' (Alma 41:10). 'You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible' (Ezra Taft Benson, 'To The Rising Generation,' New Era, June 1986, p. 5)." — "Seeking The Good", Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference, April 1992

(10/14/00)

"All who know and understand the glorious work of redemption wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ and all who know of his majesty and power and promises understand why they are to be of good cheer. They who have come to know him do not fear! They look unto him in 'every thought.' They 'doubt not,' and they 'fear not.' (D&C 6:36.) They know that he, the Lord Jesus Christ, is with them and that he will stand by them! (See D&C 6:32; 29:4-7; 32:3; 84:87-88.)" — "Jesus Christ, The Son Of The Living God", Elder John M. Madsen, General Conference, April 1993

(4/5/01)

"Let me just say as a concluding thought that this is a positive gospel. We ought to be the happiest people in the world. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a great building force. It teaches people to be happy and to always wear a smile." — Paul H. Dunn, "What Is a Teacher?" Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 120

(4/6/01)

"There are some things you can’t change. But either way, if you attack the problems you face, if you learn to look positively at the negatives in your life, you can become happy and successful in spite of challenges." — Joe J. Christensen, "What It Takes to Be Happy and Successful," New Era, Feb. 1989, p. 48

(4/7/01)

"We need to find the abundant life as we go along. How can we be happy tomorrow if our “nows” are filled with self-inflicted unhappinesses and unwise delays? Generally speaking, those inclined to count their daily blessings have more to count because they help make more possible as they learn gratitude. A constant waiting for a brighter future may cause us to lose the beautiful today. Some spend so much time getting ready to live for an unknown future, too late they discover there is no time to live. Very often in our anxiousness for the joys of the future we run away from the very things we are wanting and needing today. An appropriate examination of the passing moment will prove it leads to eternity. We need to constantly remind ourselves eternity is in process now." — Marvin J. Ashton, "The Time Is Now," Ensign, May 1975, p. 85

(4/8/01)

"Despite trials, worldly confusion, and caustic voices, we can trust in the Lord and go forward with happy hearts, knowing that with every challenge or problem, there’s the strength to go on. Why? Because we know His promises are real, that He does know us by name and has a plan for each of us. He will help us learn what it is and give us joy in doing it." — Elaine L. Jack, "Charity Never Faileth," Ensign, May 1992, p. 91

(4/9/01)

"If we keep a cheerful countenance, with a smile for all, it helps to reflect our feeling of love toward all. Cultivate an attitude of optimism. A recognition and appreciation of self is important to cultivate. Keeping in mind that we are children of God should help us to feel that with this royal heritage it is most important that we make of ourselves optimistic, happy, worthy individuals. The world is full of unhappy, lonely individuals." — Camilla E. Kimball, "Responsibilities to Ourselves," New Era, July 1980, p. 8

(4/30/05)

"Jesus Christ told the Twelve Apostles some of the things that can destroy our hope and make us give up: allowing ourselves to fall into temptation; not enduring affliction, tribulation, and persecution; fearing 'the cares' of the world; seeking wealth first; giving up instead of enduring to the end; and allowing false prophets to deceive us. ( Matthew 13:19-23 .)

"What gives us courage and hope?

"The Lord's invitation to each of us is 'come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' ( Matthew 11:28 .) Jesus Christ has the power to give us rest from our pain and suffering." - Adhemar Damiani, " Be of Good Cheer and Faithful in Adversity ," General Conference, April 2005

7/27/07

"To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken—all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us—because He loves us. (See Mosiah 3:19.) These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Be of Good Cheer," Ensign (CR), November 1982, p.66

3/1/09

"I doubt not that God lives. His providence is over his Church and over the world, and a good time is coming. I can see behind the dark clouds present, the silver lining of a better day, the glorious consummation of those precious promises that have inspired the utterances of the prophets of God from the beginning until this day, that this is but preparation for the coming of the great Son of God to live upon the earth." - Melvin J. Ballard, "Conference Report," April 1917, Second Overflow Meeting, p.120

3/5/09

"Get into the habit of being happy. I tell you can do it. You can say to yourself when you are awakened in the morning, 'Everything is all right,' and keep on saying it. You will be surprised to find how nearly all right the mere saying of it at the beginning of the day will really make everything right after all. This is true in business as well as in the home. Prophets of gloom are never popular, and ought not to be." - Reed Smoot, "Conference Report," October 1938, Afternoon Meeting, p.123

4/16/09

"Why is it that as humans we tend to emphasize the negative when there is so much to be positive about? We not only constantly criticize our children and each other, find fault, are very judgmental, and often seek out and build up people's weaknesses and failings rather than their strengths and successes, but in our own personal life-styles there are those of us who are incessant, chronic worriers. We worry about all the negative things that could happen, but usually don't, rather than positively trying to face problems with some amount of faith and hope of success." - Paul H. Dunn, By Faith and Hope, All Things Are Fulfilled, Ensign (CR), May 1987, p.73

5/9/10

"In all of this, I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking, including negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak—or at least think—critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable. "I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney once said: 'The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.' We should honor the Savior's declaration to 'be of good cheer.'" - Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels," Ensign (CR) May 2007

HERE

[Finrock]

ElectofGod,

It looks like the quote you have dated 10/12/00 is the one you were referencing. It is dated 1996 general conference. Ill check it out.

Regards,

Finrock

[Letrell]

Two questions, sort of related:

What is a commandment from G-d?

Is there any difference between a command from G-d and advice from G-d?

The Traveler

Why do I think you are baiting me? LOL. Okay, I'll bite.

A commandment. You are one of the most intelligent posters on here...you know what a commandment is. A command, in this reference, from the Lord to do or not do something.

Advice? Everything He has ever said to us is riddled with advice. "Hearken unto Me", "Listen", "Hear my words", etc.

When commanded, there is no discussion as to the outcome. Either obey or do not obey. It is still given us to choose.

D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

In a letter from the First Presidency, dated January 29, 1973, Church members were admonished:

“The Lord has so organized His Church that there is accessible to every member—man, woman, and child—a spiritual advisor, and a temporal counselor as well, who knows them intimately and who knows the circumstances and conditions out of which their problems come, and who, by reason of his ordination, is entitled to an endowment from our Heavenly Father of the necessary discernment and inspiration of the Lord to enable him to give the advice which the one in trouble so much needs."

Advice. Helping us think through things leading us to ultimately, hopefully, make the correct decisions.

How's that?

Letrell

[Finrock]

Good evening Canuck Mormon. I hope you've had a good day! :)

So the next time that I am sad, I'll need to repent? Will I need to see the Bishop?

Me - "Hi Bishop. I need to talk with you. I've sinned. Last week I was unhappy for day or two."

Bishop - "Ummmmmm"

That is a good question. Being happy is a choice, therefore there must be a law attached to the blessing of happiness. Consider these words from Elder Wirthlin spoken in General Conference in April 1992:

We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression. As President Benson said, “Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic.” (Ensign, Oct. 1986, p. 2.) Where sin is the cause of unhappiness, we need to repent and return to a righteous life because “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10) and “you cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible.” (Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, June 1986, p. 5.)

I believe happiness comes from a clear conscience and from being without guile or deception. It means avoiding jealousy and envy. It means cultivating peace in our homes and enjoying the peace in our hearts that righteousness brings. It comes from a knowledge and assurance, given by the Spirit, that the life we are pursuing accords with God’s will and is acceptable to him. (See Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985, 3:5.) After all, the Prophet Joseph’s oft-quoted statement remains in force; he said: “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.” (History of the Church, 5:134–35.) We need not feel depressed or discouraged about conditions in the world, for the Lord will help us find the good that will lead us to happiness.

The law of happiness is doing God's will. If you obey God's laws and His statutes and live according to how the law prompts, you will be happy. If you are feeling sad then the starting point for a resolution should always be, "Am I doing all the things God requires of me?"

Respectfully,

Finrock

[Guest]

Gotta love Phil!

[ElectofGod]

ElectofGod,

It looks like the quote you have dated 10/12/00 is the one you were referencing. It is dated 1996 general conference. Ill check it out.

Regards,

Finrock

Ah yes! I posted it not knowing it!.... I read it in His book, In times of Trouble, Jeffrey R Holland. Looks like it was taken from that talk too. (at least parts of it as I haven't compared the two)

[Drpepper]

happiness is a choice... What do you choose?

[Traveler]

happiness is a choice... What do you choose?

Agreed and more - happiness is work - hard difficult work. I agree with what others have said that happiness is one of the good works that will be considered at the last judgment. Also part of the answer from the question, "By their work shall you know them."

Bottom line - happiness does not just happen but it must be pursued as fervently (with sacrifices) as one pursues the Gospel. The harder something is to achieve the more valuable the achievement.

The Traveler

[Finrock]

Good Morning Drpepper. I hope you are having a good morning or day or night! :)

happiness is a choice... What do you choose?

I'm reposting pretty much of what I posted to Canuck Mormon because it has the answer to your question.

Being happy is a choice, therefore there must be a law attached to the blessing of happiness. Consider these words from Elder Wirthlin spoken in General Conference in April 1992:

We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression. As President Benson said, “Of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic.” (Ensign, Oct. 1986, p. 2.) Where sin is the cause of unhappiness, we need to repent and return to a righteous life because “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10) and “you cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible.” (Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, June 1986, p. 5.)

I believe happiness comes from a clear conscience and from being without guile or deception. It means avoiding jealousy and envy. It means cultivating peace in our homes and enjoying the peace in our hearts that righteousness brings. It comes from a knowledge and assurance, given by the Spirit, that the life we are pursuing accords with God’s will and is acceptable to him. (See Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985, 3:5.) After all, the Prophet Joseph’s oft-quoted statement remains in force; he said: “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.” (History of the Church, 5:134–35.) We need not feel depressed or discouraged about conditions in the world, for the Lord will help us find the good that will lead us to happiness.

The law of happiness is doing God's will. If you obey God's laws and His statutes and live according to how the law prompts, you will be happy. If you are feeling sad then the starting point for a resolution should always be, "Am I doing all the things God requires of me?"

QUESTION: What do we choose to be happy?

ANSWER: We will be happy if "we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

If you have "a knowledge and assurance, given by the Spirit, that the life [you] are pursuing accords with God’s will and is acceptable to him," then what else in this life really matters? What can phase you? Who can hurt you? If you have a knowledge and an assurance that the life you are pursuing is acceptable to God in all ways, then who can pull you down?

Obedience to God's will is happiness. The choice we make is to live a life of holiness and all that this entails. This is truth.

Respectfully,

Finrock

Edited June 4, 2013 by Finrock
Grammar

[Drpepper]

If you are feeling sad then the starting point for a resolution should always be, "Am I doing all the things God requires of me?"

Finrock

Hi Finrock im going to have to politely disagree with you on this point. If what you are saying is that wickedness never was happiness then obviously I agree. However I have sat with many members over the years and watched their sadness as they persecute themselves because their not doing all the things God requires of them. In actual fact their bow has become so tightly strung that they feel unless they are keeping every single commandment every single day then they are a failure. They live with guilt because they can't do everything required of them. So their inward conversations the ones we all have, all day every day with ourselves become negative. Im not good enough! If only i was more like Sister Jones she seems to have it all together. Perhaps if my life was....

The fact is alot of people don't realise they can be imperfect and happy.

They can fail most of the time and be happy

They can be a size 16 and be happy

They can be picked last on the basketball team and be happy.

Happiness is a choice ask Viktor Frankl

[ElectofGod]

Good Morning Drpepper. I hope you are having a good morning or day or night! :)

I'm reposting pretty much of what I posted to Canuck Mormon because it has the answer to your question.

Being happy is a choice, therefore there must be a law attached to the blessing of happiness. Consider these words from Elder Wirthlin spoken in General Conference in April 1992:

The law of happiness is doing God's will. If you obey God's laws and His statutes and live according to how the law prompts, you will be happy. If you are feeling sad then the starting point for a resolution should always be, "Am I doing all the things God requires of me?"

QUESTION: What do we choose to be happy?

ANSWER: We will be happy if "we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

If you have "a knowledge and assurance, given by the Spirit, that the life [you] are pursuing accords with God’s will and is acceptable to him," then what else in this life really matters? What can phase you? Who can hurt you? If you have a knowledge and an assurance that the life you are pursuing is acceptable to God in all ways, then who can pull you down?

Obedience to God's will is happiness. The choice we make is to live a life of holiness and all that this entails. This is truth.

Respectfully,

Finrock

I read this scripture last night. To add to what you said. Happiness comes from glory (in a way) which comes from serving others.

Alma 17:29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.

30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.

31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.

What a great man. I would have been discouraged and depressed myself probably.

[Finrock]

Good morning ElectofGod. I hope you are doing well! :)

I read this scripture last night. To add to what you said. Happiness comes from glory (in a way) which comes from serving others.

What a great man. I would have been discouraged and depressed myself probably.

I bet Ammon had an assurance and a knowledge by the Holy Ghost that the course of his life was acceptable to God. It is interesting to note that rather than become discouraged, as you mentioned, he had joy in this trial. I imagine that if Ammon did not have this assurance and knowledge, he would not have been filled with joy knowing that the king of Lamanites would likely kill him for losing the king's flocks.

Regards,

Finrock

[Traveler]

Perhaps the question now - that we should all ask ourselves (for no one else can know). Am I happy? If the answer is no - perhaps we should seriously consider repenting. Meaning a change of mind and heart.

Or as my father would say, "If you really want something to change - start with yourself."

The Traveler

[ElectofGod]

Good morning ElectofGod. I hope you are doing well! :)

I bet Ammon had an assurance and a knowledge by the Holy Ghost that the course of his life was acceptable to God. It is interesting to note that rather than become discouraged, as you mentioned, he had joy in this trial. I imagine that if Ammon did not have this assurance and knowledge, he would not have been filled with joy knowing that the king of Lamanites would likely kill him for losing the king's flocks.

Regards,

Finrock

Reminds of words of Joseph Smith. This is probably not a direct quote just my understanding of things he has said. The prophet had some extreme trials in his life and the one way we can have "hope as an anchor to the soul" is by having that assurance that we will not fall. Otherwards, "the more sure word of prophecy" and the "calling and election" where one will not fall. I got the impression when Joseph spoke about the Second Comforter he was saying, there are some trials that one must have this comforter to get through.

It was what got him through his most trying times. How else could one go into martydom "as calm as" ?? the day, not sure his exact words.

Traveler,

Depends on the day. I am a fairly happy person. But the world is quite depressing these days.

[Drpepper]

Consider these words from Elder Wirthlin spoken in General Conference in April 1992:

The law of happiness is doing God's will. If you obey God's laws and His statutes and live according to how the law prompts, you will be happy. If you are feeling sad then the starting point for a resolution should always be, "Am I doing all the things God requires of me?"

Finrock

I think this is a good question one can ask themselves however depending on the individual it can also cause someone to be unhappy. let me explain.

Some people raise the bar of pleasing God so high that it is simply unattainable. Along with raising that bar they have attached their happiness to it. The simple answer to am I doing all the things God requires of me? is "No" because there is always more to be done in his kingdom. Unfortunately with our happiness pinned to the bar of ideal many members of the church walk around with guilt. Hold on let me just repeat that again.

Unfortunately with our happiness pinned to the bar of ideal many members of the church walk around with guilt.

Point in case, this sunday ask your Bishop if you can sit with him in sacrament meeting and look around for happiness.

Sin and Guilt are the number 1 enemy to happiness.

While guilt flows from sin, guilt can also exist without personal sin. For example a person can feel guilty and be unhappy with themselves because their ideal of happiness is size 6 and they are a size 10. Is there any sin in being a size 10?

Many people put their their happiness on hold until they reach their pre-concieved ideals of happiness.

I will be happy when i have a better calling

I will be happy when i find the right man

I will be happy when i have a better job

I will be happy when i have a bigger home

I will be happy when im a size 6

I will be happy when, when, when, = never, never, never......

Pleasing God surely brings happiness. Enoch had a testimony that he pleased God Heb 11.5 and was shortly after translated.

Don't wait to be translated to find happiness. Vikor Frankl found happiness in a prison camp.

Happiness is a choice - What do you choose?

[HiJolly]

I am a happy guy. Yet, the world is an interesting place. I appreciate the truth in this quote:

Happy people are failures because they are on such good terms with themselves, they don't give a (darn). -- Agatha Christie