Creators Of Happiness

[wenglund]

The scriptures contain a number of enlightening paradoxes not the least of which is: on the one hand we are told that "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." (2 Ne 2:25) While, on the other hand we are told that because of the fall, the sorrow of women will be multiplied in conception and in bringing forth children, and because of their toils men will have sorrow all the days of their lives (Gen. 3: 16-17).

Said another way, we, as God's spirit children, have been, and are being sent down into this lone and dreary world with the intent that we be happy.

At first blush this strikes me as counter-intuitive (my initial inclination is to reason that joy and happiness would be achieved by our being sent to and living in a joyous and happy place).

However, upon further and more in-depth reflection, it actually makes quite a bit of sense in several ways (to be discussed in posts to follow).

Feel free to share your own thoughts, reasoning, and experiences.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[wenglund]

One of the ways this is sensibly explained is in the same chapter where we are told that men are that they may have joy. In 2 Nephi 2:11 there is explained: "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility."

In other words, we are sent to the lone and dreary world and are subjected to sorrow because without that sorrow there would be no chance of joy, or rather no way of comprehending and experiencing joy. The emotional light of happiness is, in a way, CREATED by being separated and distinguished from the emotional darkness of sorrow--not unlike what is spoken of in Genesis 1:5.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[wenglund]

Implicit in my previous post is the notion of natural happiness and sorrow created by God (and God said let there be the light of happiness, and there was happiness, and it was separated from the darkness of sorrow). By this I mean that there exists behaviors and circumstances that will naturally produce true joy and happiness, and also those that will naturally result in pain and sorrow. Obedience to the ways of Godliness will bring true joy, whereas "wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:10)

In other words, God CREATED happiness by setting forth the way of happiness, and we CREATE our own happiness by following Christ on that way.

Since we each seem inclined towards and desirous of happiness, this precept is important to understand and useful and empowering.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[Freedom]

I would argue that we are not here to be happy, but to have joy. There is a difference. The joy is the blessings of the atonement, not an emotional state of bliss. It is not possible to attain joy through fun but only through great trial and struggle. Happiness is clearly obtained through wickedness, otherwise we would not participate in it. I get great pleasure in indulging in my weaknesses, however my euphoria is short term and, like drugs, must be repeated over and over again. As i get dulled to the thrill, I must increase my wickedness to receive the same buzz. Joy through obedience is not fun, if it were fun we would all be saints. It is the bitter fruit but it produced the lasting joy. Of course, this is not a paradox. This reality has been established through scientific scrutiny. It is not surprising, therefore, that the happiest people live in some of the poorest countries. Too much leisure time leads to trouble and our peaceful wealthy society has way too much leisure time.

[wenglund]

I believe it is also important to understand that happiness may also be CREATED synthetically.

This real, though synthetically CREATED happiness, isn't so much a result of circumstances and behaviors, but rather a function of how we choose to view things. Two different people who behave relatively the same and/or are subjected to the relatively same circumstances, one of those people may be happy and the other miserable. Why is that?

Viktor Frankel provides us with a striking example of this in his book, "Man's Search for Meaning," in which he accounts his own experience in a Nazi concentration camp, where there were "moments of bliss," as contrasted with those of other prisoners, where there was sustained bitterness.

We see this also in various ways within the Church. Things like scripture reading, church attendance, and even service projects, can be a source of great joy for some members, while torturous to other members.

The circumstances and behaviors are pretty much the same, but the emotional out-comes are different due, in part, to the respective way in which we each chose to think about things. To some degree we CREATE happiness by not only following the path of happiness, but also by choosing a happy way to think while following the way of happiness.

There is an excellent video lecture that touches on these points given by Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert, about "The Surprising Science of Happiness." It is well worth watching all the way through, and is available here:

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[CV75]

I think it is telling that the phrase is "they might have joy" and not "they shall have joy." The decision and choice is ours. The demands of a fallen world require some effort (struggle and sorrow) on our part as we respond to the Light of Christ to deal with it well. As we respond correctly, we experieince the joy of righteousness in opposition to the sorrow of sin.

"And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet—" (D&C 29:39).

I also think the joy in this verse (2 Ne 2:25) is a long-term attainment in opposition to the Fall, which is instantaneously imposed upon us once our spirits and bodies become connected.

[wenglund]

I would argue that we are not here to be happy, but to have joy. There is a difference. The joy is the blessings of the atonement, not an emotional state of bliss. It is not possible to attain joy through fun but only through great trial and struggle. Happiness is clearly obtained through wickedness, otherwise we would not participate in it. I get great pleasure in indulging in my weaknesses, however my euphoria is short term and, like drugs, must be repeated over and over again. As i get dulled to the thrill, I must increase my wickedness to receive the same buzz. Joy through obedience is not fun, if it were fun we would all be saints. It is the bitter fruit but it produced the lasting joy. Of course, this is not a paradox. This reality has been established through scientific scrutiny. It is not surprising, therefore, that the happiest people live in some of the poorest countries. Too much leisure time leads to trouble and our peaceful wealthy society has way too much leisure time.

I am glad you drew the distinction between joy and happiness, though I prefer to use different terms to describe the same dichotomous construct. I equate joy and happiness and distinguish them from natural pleasure. Either way, your point is well taken even given our unimportant semantic differences.

However, given my last post above, I take some exception to your claim that obedience isn't fun or happy. Scripture reading can be quite exhilarating and enjoyable for some members, though tortuous for other. To me, it depends upon how one views obedience and the commandments being obeyed--whether in a happy or a miserable way.

As I understand things, part of the maturation process in transforming from a natural to a spiritual man is where obedience stops being a drudgery and becomes instead a source of joy, and in that way sin ceases to be a temptation and we have no disposition to sin. And, this maturation may occur by changing the way we think about obedience and commandments--where we think about obedience in godly and joyous and happy ways rather than in the miserable way of natural man.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[wenglund]

I think it is telling that the phrase is "they might have joy" and not "they shall have joy." The decision and choice is ours.

Yes. We can choose to CREATE our own joy or our pain and sorrow. To me, understanding this is very empowering and liberating.

The demands of a fallen world require some effort (struggle and sorrow) on our part as we respond to the Light of Christ to deal with it well. As we respond correctly, we experience the joy of righteousness in opposition to the sorrow of sin.

"And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet—" (D&C 29:39).

I also think the joy in this verse (2 Ne 2:25) is a long-term attainment in opposition to the Fall, which is instantaneously imposed upon us once our spirits and bodies become connected.

Ultimately, yes, though I believe we may experience and increasing measure of that joy during this life.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[CV75]

I believe we may experience and increasing measure of that joy during this life.

Agreed, and in relation to how much we apply to it--much of our joy seems to be a function of human development and moral / spiritual accountability (experience).

[wenglund]

Agreed, and in relation to how much we apply to it--much of our joy seems to be a function of human development and moral / spiritual accountability (experience).

Excellent point. This life is all about progress, and joy cometh from progress.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Freedom]

However, given my last post above, I take some exception to your claim that obedience isn't fun or happy. Scripture reading can be quite exhilarating and enjoyable for some members, though tortuous for other. To me, it depends upon how one views obedience and the commandments being obeyed--whether in a happy or a miserable way.

A simple response to this is, compare how many members of the church read their scriptures daily for an hour, and how many watch tv or search the internet for an hour. If scripture reading where inherently pleasurable it should be inherently measurable. Scripture reading is to pleasure what weight lifting is to strength. It has to be endured in order to see the results. Nevertheless, one results are produced, the exercise becomes pleasurable because you know great progress is being achieved. Few are willing to put in the arduous effort, however, to see the results.

Why do two people experience the same event set feel so differently? I think it comes down to having purpose and perspective. I enjoy to learn. If I had a choice between a Harry Potter novel and a technical manual I would choose the latter. If my eldest were trapped in a room for 12 hours with nothing but non-fiction textbooks, she would be miserable. I would be in heaven. Nevertheless, due to mortal limitations, learning for me is a very difficult and draining ordeal. Because my love for learning is stronger than my inability to learn, however, I struggle along because I enjoy the outcome so much. Those who are not willing to put in the effort will be unhappy no matter their circumstances. Joy requires tremendous effort. As with Eve, it requires us to go into the valley of death. If we are not willing to enter the valley, we will never reach the mountain. Many are miserable because the mountain of Joy just isn't worth the valley of death.

[wenglund]

A simple response to this is, compare how many members of the church read their scriptures daily for an hour, and how many watch tv or search the internet for an hour. If scripture reading where inherently pleasurable it should be inherently measurable.

I am not sure what you mean by this last sentence, but I am not suggesting that obedience is necessarily inherently enjoyable or miserable, but may be, by choice, perceived one way or the other (see below).

Scripture reading is to pleasure what weight lifting is to strength. It has to be endured in order to see the results. Nevertheless, one results are produced, the exercise becomes pleasurable because you know great progress is being achieved. Few are willing to put in the arduous effort, however, to see the results.

I like the exercise analogy, though I would take it one step further to suggest that, from personal experience as a once long-distance runner, avid mountain biker and kayaker, that exercise need not be "endured," but can be enjoyable from the start and before seeing results. To rephrase Shakespeare, "there is nothing enjoyable or endured except as the mind thinketh." (Again, see below)

Why do two people experience the same event set feel so differently? I think it comes down to having purpose and perspective. I enjoy to learn. If I had a choice between a Harry Potter novel and a technical manual I would choose the latter. If my eldest were trapped in a room for 12 hours with nothing but non-fiction textbooks, she would be miserable. I would be in heaven. Nevertheless, due to mortal limitations, learning for me is a very difficult and draining ordeal. Because my love for learning is stronger than my inability to learn, however, I struggle along because I enjoy the outcome so much. Those who are not willing to put in the effort will be unhappy no matter their circumstances. Joy requires tremendous effort. As with Eve, it requires us to go into the valley of death. If we are not willing to enter the valley, we will never reach the mountain. Many are miserable because the mountain of Joy just isn't worth the valley of death.

Excellent point, though I don't see it as a counter to what I have said, but just an added perspective.

Your point speaks more to how doing different things will tend to yield different results with different people, and this explains why different people chose to do different things. Whereas, my point (or at least my last point) speaks to how we, ourselves, can yield different results with the same things, particularly when we don't have much of a choice to do otherwise.

I am currently in a situation where my options are quite limited for doing things that for many years tended to bring me great happiness. For example, I am not currently at liberty (time wise and financially and to some extent physically) to frequently run and hike and ski in the mountains. As such, I can choose to either not be happy for want of not being able to do those things, or I can choose to find as much joy in the things I am now able to do.

I have chosen the latter and have greatly benefited thereby, and I am simply suggesting that they same is possible for others.

In fact, I believe that to some extent we are given trials and tribulations and are prevented from doing things that may naturally or more likely make us happy, so that we, just as with Vikter Frankel, can learn this principle of how to CREATE happiness for ourselves regardless of our circumstances.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Edited September 25, 2012 by wenglund

[Freedom]

I am not sure what you mean by this last sentence, but I am not suggesting that obedience is necessarily inherently enjoyable or miserable, but may be, by choice, perceived one way or the other (see below).

With my exercise analogy, the exercise can become enjoyable if done on a regular basis but if you leave it for a few months, you go back to several days or even weeks of misery before you can enjoy the activity again. Most if not all activities that bring lasting joy follow this same formula. Most natural pleasures, as you aptly identified them, do not require such prep work. I can not watch movies for a few months and then sit down and enjoy one quite easily. In fact, the longer I do without engaging in such an activity the more pleasurable they can be. Those who understand the value of activities that bring lasting through an initial uncomfortable effort have greater joy in life than those who seek pleasure happiness through natural pleasures. The natural man seeks happiness through natural pleasures. We must reach past our comfort zone in order to experience the joy spoken of in the scriptures.

I have found that those who are content but going through a prolonged and painful illness learn how to achieve this lasting joy and I think that in the next like, we will look back with envy at the opportunity they were afforded to learn this Christ like attribute.

[Maidservant]

We are wounded beings.

Joy comes only after being wounded. An unwounded person cannot experience joy. (All persons are more or less wounded.)

If we are wounded, and then we experience our healing, then joy fills up the wells of our heart that were dug with sorrow. The deeper the wells of the sorrow/wound, the greater the capacity to filled with living water of healing (redemption) and joy. (Someone who found this out: Mosiah 27:24-29 and Alma 36:16-21.)

We have also come to this earth to create our kingdom/(kingdom of God). What does this mean? It means that we have been given the treasure (here in mortality) of being servants (servant-kings) and sacrificers and rescuers and of creating a kingdom that originates with us (and ourselves originating from God) and that we have the privilege of creating and giving for the people we love. We cannot have joy by being given all, but the final joy is to be able to give. And this is the gift that our heavenly Father gave us and did not keep for himself. He did not retain for himself the privilege of being the only giver, but has shared this treasure, gift, knowledge and joy with us so that we could be givers too and have that ultimate joy. (John 13:12-17)

[wenglund]

We are wounded beings.

Joy comes only after being wounded. An unwounded person cannot experience joy. (All persons are more or less wounded.)

If we are wounded, and then we experience our healing, then joy fills up the wells of our heart that were dug with sorrow. The deeper the wells of the sorrow/wound, the greater the capacity to filled with living water of healing (redemption) and joy. (Someone who found this out: Mosiah 27:24-29 and Alma 36:16-21.)

We have also come to this earth to create our kingdom/(kingdom of God). What does this mean? It means that we have been given the treasure (here in mortality) of being servants (servant-kings) and sacrificers and rescuers and of creating a kingdom that originates with us (and ourselves originating from God) and that we have the privilege of creating and giving for the people we love. We cannot have joy by being given all, but the final joy is to be able to give. And this is the gift that our heavenly Father gave us and did not keep for himself. He did not retain for himself the privilege of being the only giver, but has shared this treasure, gift, knowledge and joy with us so that we could be givers too and have that ultimate joy. (John 13:12-17)

Nicely put, though I am a bit uncomfortable with the seemingly victimological bent to the word "wounded." I prefer the word "broken" instead, though that is just a personal preference.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Maidservant]

Nicely put, though I am a bit uncomfortable with the seemingly victimological bent to the word "wounded." I prefer the word "broken" instead, though that is just a personal preference.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I use them both . And I understand your choice, although wounded doesn't give a context to me (personally) of victimhood. I am put in mind of the wounds of Christ and what they represent for all of us. I like "broken" quite well, also.

[Nathair/|\]

For what it's worth the many fine saints on this board create a lot of happiness for me.